Vehicle Registration Program

Rules and Regulations for Students

Permit fees may be paid by cash, check, money order, or online. Checks and money orders are to be made payable to "The Pennsylvania State University".

Physically Challenged

Parking for the physically challenged is available at each campus building. Faculty, staff, students and visitors who are physically challenged must register their vehicles in the same manner as their colleagues.

Visitors

Please click here for information on visitor parking.

Special Events

Parking arrangements will be made for special events.

All others must register their vehicles at the Vehicle Registration Office in the Swatara Building and purchase a one-day temporary permit for $1.00.

Rules and Regulations

  1. General Provisions
    • All provisions of the Vehicle Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are in effect at all Penn State Harrisburg locations.
    • The regular use of vehicles on campus by students, staff, faculty and visitors is permitted upon registration of each vehicle and display of the vehicle permit. (A permit is an instrument (hangtag) issued by the Vehicle Registration Office to verify that the operator of a vehicle has registered his or her vehicle and paid the appropriate fees). Exception: Visitor and/or metered spaces where available).
    • Specific limitations on driving, parking, speeding, stopping, noise making, and the like as shown on campus signs or as posted, also govern the use of motor vehicles.
    • Those provisions set forth in the "Vehicle Code" of the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Chapter 35, Sub Chapter A, titled "Operations of Pedacycle", will govern the operation of bicycles on campus property.
  2. Vehicle Registration
    • A "Motor Vehicle" in these regulations means any motor driven vehicle (automobile, truck, motorcycle, motorbike, motor scooter, moped, minibike, or other).
    • Each student vehicle must be registered either prior to the student's academic registration or at a later date if a vehicle is acquired after academic registration. Any change in vehicle requires a change in registration.
    • Staff and/or faculty members' vehicles must be registered upon appointment or at a later date if a vehicle is acquired after the initial appointment date. Any change in vehicle requires a change in registration.
    • The Vehicle Registrar is located in the Vehicle Registration Office in the Swatara Building.
    • A vehicle permit is to be displayed from the rear view mirror. The permit covers only the vehicle(s) registered. If the registered vehicle will no longer be utilized on campus but another vehicle will, vehicle registration office must be notified.
  3. Parking Area
    • Student, faculty, staff or visitor vehicles bearing a current permit may park at any time in the following areas: Olmsted Building, rear lot, Wharton Avenue, entrance lot, Swatara Building/CUB lot, Engineering Laboratories lot, Residence Hall lots and roadsides as marked, Olmsted Drive curbside except where posted otherwise and EAB lots.
    • Student, faculty, staff and visitor vehicles may temporarily park in the following areas while conducting business in that facility: Bookstore lot, Child Care lot
    • Parking is not authorized elsewhere and, in particular, not in the following locations: Alongside the curb in front of the Olmsted Building, Along roadsides, unless specifically designated, On the grass, In any staff-designated lot, In Heat Plant lot, In loading dock area at rear of Olmsted Building, On or obstructing sidewalks
  4. Parking for the Physically-Challenged.
    • A request to temporarily utilize handicap spaces must be submitted with a doctor’s recommendation to the Vehicle Registration Office in the Swatara Building. When approval is granted, vehicles may park in any handicapped-designated space until the temporary permit expires.
    • State-issued handicapped license plates, placards, etc. will be honored and allowed to park in handicapped spaces at Penn State Harrisburg. However, these vehicles must still be registered with the Vehicle Registration Office and pay the appropriate fees.

Traffic Violation Notices

Pre-numbered Traffic Violation Notices will be issued for violations of vehicle regulations.

Violations

  1. Violations of a non-moving nature are subject to the following penalties:
    • Permit Improperly Displayed — $5.00
    • Restricted — $5.00
    • Walkway — $5.00
    • Against Traffic — $5.00
    • Two Spaces — $5.00
    • Reserved — $5.00
    • Current Permit Not Displayed — $5.00
    • Fraudulent, Unauthorized or Altered Permit — $50.00
    • Overtime — $5.00
    • Roadway — $5.00
    • Grass — $5.00
    • Yellow Curb — $5.00
    • No Parking — $5.00
    • Handicapped — $50.00
    • Unregistered Vehicle — $50.00
  2. Damage to University property resulting from improper operation of a vehicle will be billed for repair or replacement to the person holding the permit for the vehicle that caused the damage.
  3. Failure to report an accident on University property at the time of occurrence may result in charges being filed as per the Commonwealth Vehicle Code.

Appeals

  1. Violations may be appealed in writing or on the specified form to the Vehicle Registration Office within 10 business days of the violation notice.
  2. A Board, which is comprised of two faculty, two students, two staff members, and one technical service member, acts as an advisory panel and an appeals board for violations. A portion of the penalty funds generated by this program are directed to SGA, fellowships, scholarships, assistantships and/or stipends. Any vehicle parked on campus shall be at the owner's risk. The University assumes no responsibility for theft, damage or personal injury. An annual report is published each year to highlight how all funds have been used for this program.
  3. Any violation that is not cleared (excused or penalties paid prior to the end of semester/session) may result in a hold being placed on student records. A hold means (1) no transcripts are released, (2) the student cannot re-enroll, (3) the student does not receive a diploma.

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