Parking and Transportation Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can freshmen bring a vehicle to campus?

Yes, freshmen are allowed to bring a vehicle to campus. Freshman and transfercommuter students(students living off campus and commuting to and from classes) are able to purchase a student commuter permit from the Office of Parking and Transportation as they become available in late July; please refer to the Office of Parking and Transportation webpage for an announcement of the permit sales date. Please note that it is not necessary to purchase a permit on the first day of permit sales unless you are interested in purchasing a reserved zone or reserved space permit.
Freshmen and transfer residence hall students will receive a correspondence via U.S. mail to their home address on record with the University. These forms will be mailed out in July. Returning residence hall students will receive the form via U.S. mail in the month of June. Once the form is received you must fill out the form completely and send payment in full for the first choice of permit. The Office of Parking and Transportation will not notify you of which permit you receive-the permit will be in your campus mailbox when you arrive on campus. Residence hall students will have the option to park in one of the “student storage lots” indicated in blue on the campus parking map. Student storage permits are reserved at all times for the lot designated on the permit. These permits are valid in their assigned lots only. These permits are sold per academic year and are valid from 8/15-5/15. If it is determined that the permit is not needed for the spring semester, the permit must be returned to the Office of Parking and Transportation and a partialrefund will be issued. Permits must be returned prior to January 1st to receive a refund of one half of the purchase price. There is no refund available for permits returned after January 1st.

  1. How can I purchase a parking permit?

In order to purchase a parking permit you must visit the Office of Parking and Transportation. When you visit the office you must bring your Illinois State University ID card, the make, model and license plate number of the vehicle you will be driving and a form of payment. The Office of Parking and Transportation accepts cash, check, all major debit and credit cards.

  1. How can I learn more about the RedBirdRide program?

Information about the RedBirdRide program can be located on the Office of Parking and Transportation website at The Redbird Express, NiteRide and Late NiteRidebuses transport faculty, staff and students around campus, to Uptown Normal, and Downtown Bloomington. Please refer to for a complete schedule of the RedbirdRide program operating dates and times. The Redbird Express, NiteRide and Late NiteRide service is free of charge with a valid ISU ID card. If a valid University ID card is not presented at the time of ridership the cost of the fare is $1.00. Under the Universal Access Program, ISU faculty, staff and students are able to ride any Connect Transit bus for no charge with a valid Illinois State University ID card. More information about the Connect Transit bus routes and times can be found at Connect Transit website at or by calling Connect Transit at (309) 828-9833.

  1. What are the restrictions for the new “Compact Vehicle Spaces” in the South University Garage?

The new Compact Vehicle Spaces are located on the ramp of the South University Garage between the first and second levels and are reserved for South University Garage Reserve Zone permit holders before 5 p.m. In order for a vehicle to park in these spaces, the vehicle must fit completely in the space and no part of the vehicle must hang over the rear line. If a vehicle is too large to park in these spaces it is recommended that the vehicle park on the second level of the garage. Any vehicle that is parked outside of the parking space is subject to citation.

  1. When can I purchase a permit for the next academic year?

Historically permit sales begin the last week of week of July. It is important to remember that although the Office of Parking and Transportation begins selling these permits early they are not valid until August 15. Please check the home page of the parking web site for announcements regarding the first date of permit sales.

  1. What if I have a question about a citation?

If you have received a citation and have questions in regards to why the citation was issued, please first read the citation carefully, most of the time notes are written on the citation which will indicate the why the citation was issued. If you have further questions and would like a detailed explanation regarding why the citation was issued pleasecontact the Office of Parking and Transportation at 309-438-8391 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Please allow 24 hours after the citation was issued to ensure the best possible customer service.

  1. Do I need a permit to park at the Cardinal Court/Shelbourne/Fell Ave and School Street apartment complexes and if so, how do I get this permit?

Yes, residents of all of these apartment complexes must have a valid permit to park.
Residents of Cardinal Court must come to the Office of Parking and Transportation to secure their parking permit. The cost of their parking is included in their housing contract so there is no charge for the permit but they must still present their valid University ID card and provide the license plate, year, make and model of the vehicle they will park at the complex. A valid permit must be displayed at all times in the Cardinal Court complex.
Residents of the Shelbourne apartmentcomplex and the Fell Ave and School Street apartment complexes must have a valid permit displayed at all times. Parking is not included in these housing contracts and permits must be purchased at the Office of Parking and Transportation. You must present your current housing contract to purchase a permit. You must also provide the license plate, year, make and model of the vehicle you will park at the complex. At the Shelbourne apartment complex only, guest permits are available from the on-site Residence Assistant or University Housing Services. Guest permits are valid for a period of 7 (seven) days only. If a guest needs additional accommodations they must contact the Office of Parking and Transportation at 309-438-8391.

  1. Who do I contact if I have left personal items on the RedbirdRide shuttle bus?

In the event that personal belongings were misplaced on any RedbirdRideor Connect Transitfixed route bus please contact Connect Transit headquarters at 309-828-9833.

  1. What do I do if I have forgotten my permit for the day?

Every vehicle must display a permit in order to park on campus unless parking at a meter or in a pay lot. If you have noticed that you forgot your permit for the day please stop in to the Office of Parking and Transportation and pick up a temporary permit for the day at no charge. If you do not have time to visit the Office of Parking and Transportation please call the Office of Parking and Transportation at 309-438-8391. If there is no one available to answer your call, or if the office is not open at the time of your call, please leave a message with your name, UID number, license plate number, make and model of the vehicle and a description of where the vehicle will be parked on campus for the day. Please contact the Office of Parking and Transportation with this information before a citation is issued.

  1. What should I do if a parking meter malfunctions?

Every meter on campus is enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If a meter is malfunctioning you must call the Office of Parking and Transportation to report the problem. Please be ready with the following information: The location of your vehicle, the meter number, and the make, model and license plate number of the vehicle. After the hours of 4:30 p.m., please contact the Illinois State University Police Department at 309-438-8631. If you park at a broken meter and do not report it to the Office of Parking and Transportation or the University Police Department you are subject to citation.

  1. How do I file acitation appeal?

Any individual has the right to appeal any citation issued. In order to file an appeal you must pay the citation in full for the original amount within seven (7) calendar days. After payment is made you may fill out the appeal form either online or at the Office of Parking and Transportation. Please visit the Office of Parking and Transportation website at pay any citations and print out or submit the appeal form. If you require additional assistance please contact the Office of Parking and Transportation at 309-438-8391.

  1. I am visiting campus, what are my parking options?

If you are visiting campus you have several options for parking. You are able to purchase a permit for the day at a cost of $8 per day at the Office of Parking and Transportation. Carefully follow the parking allowances listed on the permit to avoid a citation. The Office of Parking and Transportation is located at 709 N. Main Street, Normal, IL. The office is open between the hours of 7:30am-4:30pm,Monday-Friday.
You alsohave the option to park and pay a meter on campus. Meters have varioustime limits so read the meter carefully.
In addition, you are able to utilize one of the two visitor pay lots on campus. These pay lots are located North of the Bone Student Center or on the first level of the South University Parking Garage. The rate for guests is $1.00 per hour. University guests are encouraged to visit the Office of Parking and Transportation website at or contact the Office of Parking and Transportation at 309-438-8391 for additional information.

  1. What should I do if my vehicle breaks down on campus?

Unfortunately, vehicles break down on campus from time to time. The Office of Parking and Transportation offers the Motorist Assistance Program. The services offered are free of charge and include vehicle jump starts, assistance if you run out of gas, lock your keys in the car, or need assistance with a flat tire. Your vehicle must be in a campus parking lot to receive our free motorist assistance. Any disabled vehicle should be reported to the Office of Parking and Transportation at 309-438-8391. To report a disabled vehicle after hours, contact the University Police Department at 309-438-8631. Disabled vehicles left in campus lots overnight are subject to citation unless the proper notifications have taken place.

  1. When is my Faculty/Staff permit renewal form due?

The tentative deadline for Faculty/Staff renewal form submission varies from year to year and is always stated on your renewal form. It is essential that we receive the forms back in our office as soon as possible in order to prevent any delay in sending out the valid permit for the upcoming semester. This deadline is especially important for reserved space and reserved zone permit holders.

  1. What should I do if I misplaced my Faculty/Staff renewal form?

If you have misplaced your Faculty/Staff renewal form there is a copy available on the Office of Parking and Transportation website. You are able to download a copy of this form and print it. Please fill out the form completely and return it to the Office of Parking and Transportation at Campus Box 9250 or via U.S. mail to 709 N. Main St., Normal, IL 61761. The Office of Parking and Transportation cannot renew a permit over the phone, and will not accept any form via fax because an original signature is required for payroll deduction purposes.

  1. What should I do if I have lost my parking permit?

In the event that your parking permit is lost or stolen you must report it to the Office of Parking and Transportation immediately at 309-438-8391. Additionally, you should visit the Office of Parking and Transportation at 709 N. Main St. during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) to obtain a replacement permit. If your parking permit was stolen, you should contact the Illinois State University Police Departmentand file a police report. The replacement cost for a lost permit is $12.00. If your permit was stolen it will be replaced at no cost upon completion of a police report.