Q: Who is eligible to exchange a parking permit?
A: Following Lab policy, employees (except student employees) are eligible for a parking permit. Most affiliates who were previously eligible for parking permits remain eligible.
Q: What are the colors of the new permits?
A: The new permits are Lab blue, which replaces the yellow and blue triangle permits, and green, which replaces the orange circle permits. The gray permit is for those with temporary appointments, the light blue is for medical, and the brown permit is for off-hour parking.
Q: Where can a blue permit holder park?
A: A blue permit holder can park in any unmarked personal vehicle parking space or one that has a blue triangle painted in the space. Blue is now considered general parking.
Q: Where can a green permit holder park?
A: A green permit holder can park in any unmarked personal vehicle parking space or one with a blue triangle or orange circle painted in the space. A green permit is now equivalent to an orange circle permit.
Q: What do I need to do to exchange my parking permit?
A: It’s simple. This process will be followed now through Friday, Sept. 15.
- Make sure your vehicle is registered. Check the site since some information may not have transfered when the database was updated.
- Take your existing permit with you to Building 65A, Mondays through Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- The friendly staff will confirm your assigned permit in a database.
- They will write your Lab ID and the permit expiration date on the appropriate colored permit and exchange it for your old one. The permit expiration date will be the same expiration date as your Lab ID.
- If your vehicle is on site, return to your vehicle and hang up your new permit.
- Done! Enjoy your free parking.
Q: When do the new parking permits need to be displayed?
A: The new parking permits need to be displayed by Oct. 2, but you are free to proudly display it as soon as you complete the exchange. You are then welcome to park in any general or blue triangle parking space with a new blue (general) parking permit.
Q: Do I need to show proof of insurance or a driver’s license when I exchange my permit?
A: No. All that is needed is your old permit.
Q: What are the available dates to exchange my parking permit?
A: You can exchange your permit Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday, August 28 to Friday, Sept. 15, at Building 65A near the flagpoles.
Q: Will I still be able to get a new permit if I don’t come on site before Sept. 15?
A: Yes, you can still get a new permit, but you must make an appointment with the badge office to exchange it after Sept. 18. You can set up an appointment for dates beginning Sept. 18.
Q: Can someone else do the exchange for me?
A: No, we asking everyone to make the exchange in person. It will only take a few minutes.
Q: Will I get a parking ticket since I won’t be able to display my permit while I am exchanging it?
A: It is very unlikely. However, if you do, please contact commute@lbl.gov to explain the situation.
Q: Can I access the Lab if I don’t have a new permit by Oct. 2?
A: If you don’t have the new permit to display when you are at the gate, the security team will redirect you to the Blackberry Gate shoulder, where you can immediately make an appointment to exchange your permit. You can proceed if you can show you have a badge office appointment that same day to exchange your permit.
Q: What if it’s been a while since I parked at the Lab, and I can’t find my permit?
A: Come to Building 65A Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with your Lab ID, and eligible employees and affiliates will be issued a new permit.
Q: Will the new permits expire?
A: Yes, your new permit will have an expiration date that matches the expiration date of your Lab ID. That way, when they expire in the future, you can renew both with one visit.
Q: What do I need to bring with me to exchange my parking permit?
A: Bring the old permit and your Lab ID.
Q: Are you painting over the blue triangles and orange circles?
A: We will paint the orange circles green in FY 24. We will not paint over the blue triangle markings.
Q: Do we need a new permit if we currently have a motorcycle or bike permit/sticker?
A: No. A Lab parking permit is not required for parking a motorcycle or bike on site.
Q: Where can a red permit holder park?
A: A limited number of red parking permits are issued to construction workers. A red permit holder is only permitted to park in parking lot D (the Pit) or project laydown space.
Q: Is a permit required for those who are eligible for off-hours parking?
A: A brown permit is strongly encouraged for off-hours parking. A brown permit holder can park in any general space on weekends and Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 a.m. If you are eligible for off-hours parking and do not have a permit, go to the badge office Mondays through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. now through Sept. 15.
