Using our web-based application, known as Commuting and Parking Services (CAPS), eligible NIH employees can apply for, renew, and modify their parking information at any time.
CAPS is supported in Microsoft Edge, Chrome, and Apple Safari. If you encounter an error message when trying to log in, it may be due to your browser's security settings being too high. Try temporarily lowering them until you've completed your actions.
If you don’t have an NIH ID, please email your parking request to the NIH Parking Office at nihparkingoffice@nih.gov.
Applying for a Parking Hanger (Join Parking)
To obtain a permanent parking permit for the NIH Bethesda Campus and Rockledge I/II Campus, all vehicles must be registered through the Employee Transportation Services Office (ETSO). ETSO issues
parking permits in the form of a rear-view mirror hanger to eligible employees. You may request a permit through one of the following methods:
- Applying online through CAPS.
- Email parking permit request to nihparkingoffice@nih.gov. Include the NIH ID number, local home address, and a copy of a valid vehicle registration with the employee's name. Additionally, the contractor or tenant must be authorized to park by an Administrative Officer in the NED system.
Contractors without NIH computer access should submit a completed and signed NIH Bethesda Campus Contractor Parking Application via email.
*If you are unable to apply for a permit online, please email nihparkingoffice@nih.gov or call 301-496-5050.
Disclaimer
It is the responsibility of the permit holder to adhere to all applicable policies, regulations, and laws while using the NIH Parking Permit. The ETSO attempts to inform the NIH staff of parking policy changes using global email. In specific cases, the use of website alerts, fliers, signs, and news articles may be utilized. ETSO is not involved with or responsible for any parking citations or law enforcement actions taken on the NIH Campus. Those enforcement matters should be addressed to the NIH Division of Police. The use of NIH parking permits is the sole responsibility of the user to ensure they are up-to-date and compliant with all parking policies and regulations.
Acknowledgment
By accepting an NIH parking permit you acknowledge and accept the following terms and conditions:
- Any person who knowingly makes a false representation on this application may be subject to a criminal prosecution potentially resulting in a fine or imprisonment, or both, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1001 and to disciplinary actions, including the revocation of parking privileges, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Chapter 75 and 5 C.F.R. Part 752.
- The parking permit (hanger) is the property of NIH and must be returned to the NIH Division of Amenities and Transportation Services (DATS) upon separation from the Government or when the holder is no longer eligible for the permit.
- The permit cannot be transferred.
- The permit must be properly displayed while parked on the NIH Campus – Bethesda, Maryland, and is valid through the last day of the month and year displayed.
- Anyone using this permit inappropriately is subject to possible administrative and/or criminal penalties, including ticketing and towing of the vehicle.
- If you are renewing, please destroy or discard your old parking permit in the trash.
- You have read and understand the
NIH Parking Policy, Manual Chapter 1410 , and will adhere to all rules and regulations within the policy and abide by policy applications administrated by the program managers.
Online Enrollment Instructions
After logging into
CAPS, choose the button labeled "
Enroll in Parking", and follow the steps below:
- Step 1: Verify work address, click Next;
- Step 2: Enter your current (local) home address;
- Step 3: Enter the number of days you will commute to work (typically, 20 days per month);
- Step 4: Enter vehicle information: year, make, model, license plate number, type of vehicle (truck, car, etc.), and type of engine (gas, hybrid, etc.), and if more than one vehicle is registered, identify which of the authorized vehicles is your primary vehicle, if applicable.
*If you are
not eligible to receive a parking permit, you will not have the option to "Enroll in Parking." Please contact your Administrative Officer for further guidance.
After submitting your online permit request, you will receive an approval email from "CAPS Admin." The permit will be mailed to your home address, and a temporary 2-week permit will be emailed to you for immediate use.
Modify/Change Parking Account
Did you get a new vehicle? Need to update a license plate number? Want to update your home address or information associated with your parking account?
Updating your account is easy!
Log in to CAPS and select the "Modify Parking" button. Follow the on-screen prompts to update details concerning your NIH Parking account.
Report Lost/Stolen Parking Permit
If your NIH permit is lost or missing, submit a “
Report Lost/Stolen Hanger" through the CAPS system. A replacement permit will be mailed to your home address, and a temporary 2-week permit will be emailed to you for immediate use. To apply, visit the
NIH Commuting and Parking Services Member Portal.
If the permit was stolen, you will need to provide a police report number with your request.
Renew Parking Hanger
NIH Parking Hangers are renewed on a yearly and bi-yearly basis, depending on the permit type. Red and General permit types are renewed every two years, whereas all other types are renewed yearly. Regardless of permit type, the expiration month and year of your permit will be displayed on the front and back of the hanger.
During your renewal month, you will receive weekly renewal email reminders from "CAPS Admin" directing you to log in to CAPS. After logging into the CAPS system, please choose the "Renew Parking" button and follow the on-screen prompts. Once you have renewed, you will no longer receive email reminders. Please be sure to verify your information during
the renewal process, specifically, your home address where the permit will be mailed.
If after logging into CAPS, you do not see the option to renew or enroll, and it's your permit's expiration month, you may have been terminated from the NIH Parking Program due to NED status change. Please contact the ETSO/Parking Office for further assistance at nihparkingoffice@nih.gov or call 301-496-5050.
| General | A - B | January | 2 Years |
| General | C - D | February | 2 Years |
| General | E - G | March | 2 Years |
| General | H - J | May | 2 Years |
| General | K - L | June | 2 Years |
| General | M - N | July | 2 Years |
| General | O - R | August | 2 Years |
| General | S - T | September | 2 Years |
| General | U - Z | November | 2 Years |
| Gold Disability | Not Applicable | May | 2 Years |
| Off-Campus | A - M | July | 2 Years |
| Off-Campus | N -Z | October | 2 Years |
| Carpool | Not Applicable | October | 1 Year |
| Vanpool | Not Applicable | November | 2 Years |
| Red | A - M | February | 2 Years |
| Red | N - Z | April | 2 Years |
| Contractor | A - M | September | 1 Year |
| Contractor | N - Z | December | 1 Year |
| VFG | Not Applicable | August | 1 Year |
Terminate
To participate in an NIH Commuting Subsidy Program (Transhare/Vanpool Subsidy), parking members must be removed from the Parking program and are required to return the parking permit to the ETSO/Parking Office. This action cannot be performed online.
In accordance with
NIH Chapter Manual 1410, NIH Parking permits are the property of the federal government, upon separation from the NIH, employees must return their parking permit to the ETSO/Parking Office or before joining a subsidized program.
Returning your Permit is easy! You can stop by the ETSO/Parking Office and leave your permit in the "Drop-Box" located outside the NIH Parking Office door in Building 31A, Room 1A11.