As one surpasses fifteen and a half years of age, the minimum qualifying age to apply for an instruction permit in California, sophomores and upperclassmen are beginning to obtain their driver’s licenses. With this newly acquired privilege, many are simultaneously looking to secure a parking permit at UHS. Although the procedure to getting one may seem simple, there are more complications than what meets the eye. To ease one’s entrance into this process, we have detailed a step-by-step guide for drivers hoping to obtain that coveted parking permit.
Attend the “Smart Start” Driving Presentation
The first step to acquiring a parking permit is to locate and attend a Smart Start presentation. Whether or not one has a driver’s license, any high schooler may attend this instructional session, highlighting the safety precautions one must follow when driving. Teenagers tend to be more reckless than adults; therefore, the Irvine Police Department (IPD) willingly presents “Smart Start” to lower driving accidents.
This presentation is held a limited number of times throughout the school year at various IUSD high schools. Typically scheduled throughout July to February, these presentations are an essential first step to receiving one’s parking permit; if you hope to acquire one in the upcoming school year, mark your calendar for the next available session this summer.
Fill Out the Parking Permit Application
After attending the Smart Start presentation, go to the UHS website and navigate to the “Parking Lot Procedures” section. One can also search “parking.”
In this section, the link for the 2023-2024 UHS Student Parking Permit Application can be found at the top under “On Campus Student Parking.” This application asks for pictures of your driver’s license and car insurance and requires that a student has had no more than 12 tardies or three truancies during the past semester. Once again, driving is both a privilege and a responsibility, and attendance habits can indicate whether or not one is ready for a license.
Once your application is complete, a confirmation email will be sent to your inbox. After printing out the email and signing it with a parent or guardian, one last step remains before you can safely call the UHS parking lot your car’s new secondary home.
Bring the Confirmation Sheet to the Front Office
The confirmation with both your signature and your parent or guardian’s signature must be brought to the front office where staff can review and approve your application. After approval, you will pay for your parking permit 24-72 hours later. You may do this through the UHS Webstore or by writing a $50 check to submit to the Student Activities Center.
Finally, after successful payment, security will apply your parking permit to one vehicle, which should be the one registered in your application. Your parking permit will now be valid throughout the rest of the semester and you can park on campus without receiving a ticket or getting your car towed. Congratulations!
What to Do Without a Parking Permit
For those who do not qualify for a parking permit at UHS, you may still drive to school, but cannot park on campus. To avoid receiving a parking ticket or having your car towed altogether, the only legal location is on Rockview Drive. To arrive at this location, drivers must turn onto Cobblestone Way, make a right on Rockview Drive and drive past Hillgate. Then, students can park on the left side of the road.
The safety and well-being of each student driver at UHS is valued, and although some steps slow down the process of receiving a permit, thoroughly addressing each one and understanding the importance of safety precautions during driving is paramount.
