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Parking FAQs

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Attendant-Assisted Parking (Stacked Parking)
- Do all NIH parking lots have Attendant-assisted Parking?
  - No. There are no plans to make all NIH lots Attendant-assisted parking. The following NIH Employee Parking Garages are Attendant-assisted parking: MLP-6, MLP-7, portions of MLP-8, MLP-9, and Lot 10H.
- I have a temporary disability, how can I get a temporary Gold disability permit?
  - Employees who would like to request a temporary disability parking permit should fax a Handicap Parking Application to OMS at 301-402-0673. Once OMS approves the request, OMS sends approval forms directly to the Employee Transportation Services Office/NIH Parking Office for issuance.
    For more details, please see OMS contact information here.
- What is Attendant-Assisted Parking?
  - Attendant-assisted parking, unlike valet parking, if self-park spaces are open, employees will park and lock their vehicles. Once the self-parking spaces are full, attendants will direct employees to established parking locations where employees will leave car and ignition key, and receive a claim ticket. Vehicle keys will be secured by attendants using key security locks. As self-park spaces open, attendants will move stacked cars into open spaces. Departing stacked employees will present ticket and attendants will unsecure key and move any blocking vehicles.
- What hours will the attended lots be operational?
  - Projected attendant operating hours for the employee lots are 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Monday-Friday. MLP-11 garage entrance booth will remain open until 11PM for keys pick-up (After 11pm keys secured for pickup next business day). Employees can self-park and lock car at any time there are available spaces in the lots (before, during and after operation hours).
- Are the Attendant-assisted contractors insured?
  - When you leave your key with Mid-Atlantic Parking Services, they are fully responsible for the vehicle as well as any items secured to the car (i.e., radios, telephones, etc.). They are not responsible for personal property left in the car; in fact, they will remind you to remove and/or store any personal belongings before leaving the car. The company is licensed and bonded.
- What should I do in the event of loss/damage/theft from my vehicle while parked in an Attendant-Assisted Parking Facility?
  - In the event of a theft from your vehicle, contact the NIH Police at 301-496-5685 to file a police report. If you are reporting a crime in progress within a parking facility, use one of the "Blue Light Emergency Telephones" that are located throughout the various levels or by contacting the NIH Police emergency telephone number 115.
- I am an extended visitor here to drop off someone, how do I obtain a parking permit?
  - As an extended visitor you are not entitled to park on campus. Your extended ID badge is only valid for campus access. Please refer to NIH's Extended visitor policy for more information.
Visitor Parking
- I am a visitor coming to the NIH Campus for meetings, training, conferences, etc. Must I pay for parking?
  - Yes, visiting drivers must park in visitor lots or metered parking areas. Parking meters are strategically placed around campus and there are two visitor parking lots. The MLP-11 garage is next to the Gateway Center. The cost to park in a visitor garage is $2.00 per hour for the first 3 hours, and $12 for 4-12 hours. For exact locations of these metered lots, please refer to the Campus Maps.
- Can employees park in the paid visitor parking?
  - Yes, employees may park in the paid visitor parking at their own expense. No reimbursements will be provided.
- Can ICs get parking vouchers for use at the Paid Visitor Parking?
  - Yes. ICs can purchase vouchers that can then be given to visitors to cover the cost of parking in the paid parking lots. There will be no free visitor parking on the campus, except for disability visitors with appropriate tags or hangers. The ICs can purchase pre-validated stamps for their visitors by calling 301-594-7275. The rates are $2.00/hr for the first 3 hours and $12.00 for 4-12 hrs. The usual Government purchasing mechanisms will be honored (e.g., credit card, purchase order, etc.).
- What are the hours/days during which the parking meters are to be used?
  - The hours of operation for metered parking spaces is 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Likewise, the attendant assisted lots are in operation from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.
- If I am a patient or visiting a patient at the Clinical Center, where can I park?
  - Patients, patient visitors, and authorized users can park for free in the ACRF-P1 level. Patients with severe mobility issues may utilize valet parking at the Clinical Center's north entrance.
- Is there a difference between the Transportation Desk at the Clinical Center and the NIH Parking Office?
  - Yes. The NIH Parking Office assists employees, contractors, fellows and volunteers with transportation needs.
    
    The Transportation Desk at the Clinical Center (301-496-1161) assists patients and their families arrange for cabs and shuttles to appointments and airports.
- I am a visitor with a state-issued disability placard, where do I park?
  - Visitors with a state-issued disability placard may park in visitor parking areas and "red topped" meter parking spaces. Meters with a red head are reserved for disability parking only. All visitors who are not patients at the Clinical Center must park in visitor parking areas and pay the appropriate fees.

General Questions

Do Contractors receive parking on the NIH Campus?
- Contractors who are assigned to the Main Campus and are equivalent to a full-time employee are eligible to obtain a parking permit, provided their Administrative Officer has approved them for parking benefits in the NIH Enterprise Directory (NED).
Where can I park my scooter?
- Vehicles displaying a scooter, moped, or off-highway vehicle permit, and that occupy a single rack space, are permitted to be parked in the bicycle racks throughout campus. Vehicles displaying motorcycle license plates are not permitted to park at bicycle racks and other bicycle parking areas.
Do bicycles, scooters, or motorcycles need permits? Where can I park?
- Permits are not required for bicycles, scooters, or motorcycles. Parking for motorcycles is available throughout the campus, usually in the corners of parking lots. Bicycle and scooter parking are typically around the outside of the buildings but can be found in parking garages too. Although we do not require parking hangers for motorcycles and scooters, we do ask you to observe the same regulations as permit holders and do not abuse the parking privileges.
I have a Government vehicle, where can I park?
- You may only park in spaces marked "Government Vehicles Only." You may also look on the Office of Logistic website to view questions about your government vehicle.
I cannot start my car! Can I leave my car overnight and call a tow truck?
- Please call the NIH Police on their non-emergency line at 301-496-5685 and let them know what is wrong with the vehicle, make and model of your car, and also where the vehicle is parked. When you call AAA or your insurance company to have a tow truck retrieve your vehicle, make sure you specify that you will need a low-bed truck since our parking garage entrances less than 7 feet in height.
I forgot to move my parking hanger into the car I drove today, will I be ok?
- No. You must request a temporary permit by emailing nihparkingoffice@nih.gov to obtain a permit for the day.
I have to work overnight, is my car safe in the garage?
- Yes. You may leave your car in a parking space for up to 24 hours but the vehicle must be moved after that. Failure to move your vehicle may result in a citation being issued from the NIH Police.
How much does a parking hanger cost?
- Parking is provided to eligible employees at no cost. Obtaining a parking hanger is easy - employees can log into our CAPS system and choose "Enroll in Parking." Although our parking for employees on campus is free, employees who are in leased buildings may have to pay for parking. Please check with your Administrative Officer or Building Manager for more information about parking at your leased facility.
I was just in CAPS and was asked a lot of questions about my vehicle, why?
- NIH is mandated by Executive Order 13514 to reduce the Federal Government's greenhouse gas consumption (including employee commuting) by 2020. We are gathering data to show our reduction and in order to accomplish this, we need your home address and information about the vehicles you drive to work. This information will also help us with the Electric Vehicle Pilot program.
I recently used your CAPS system to renew my parking permit. Why was there not an option for me to pick the permit up in the parking office?
- As with everything, we strive to make employees' experiences better. If you would like to suggest this feature, or if you have any other suggestions, please email the NIH Parking Office and let us know how we can improve.
I am a construction contractor performing work on the main campus, where can I park?
- The NIH authorizes our Parking Services Contractor to sell monthly parking permits for various lots around the NIH Campus. Please see our Construction Contractor page for more information.
I work off-campus, I am attending a meeting/training on the NIH Campus, where do I park?
- NIH employees attending meetings, trainings, or seminars who work off campus are strongly encouraged to use the NIH Shuttle Service to commute to campus. If employees need to drive to the campus, there are several visitor parking areas available.
  Visitor parking is available at the following locations: Gateway parking garage (MLP-11) and at metered parking areas around campus. For exact locations of these lots, please refer to the Campus Maps.

What is the garage heights on the NIH Bethesda Campus?

Garage Location	Height
MLP-6 (Lincoln Dr.)	6' 9"
MLP-7 (Medlards Dr.)	6' 7"
MLP-8 (Lincoln Dr.)	6' 8"
MLP-9 (Convent Dr.)	7'
MLP-10 (North Dr.)	7' 2"
MLP-11 Visitor Garage (NIH Gateway Dr.)	7'
Natcher Bldg. 45 (Center Dr.)	7' 6"
ACRF BLD 10 - P3 (Memorial Dr.)	6' (small section 5' 7")

I am unable to log in to CAPS, what should I do?
- If you continue to experience issues logging in, please contact NIH Helpdesk at 301-496-4357.
Where are the disability parking spots?
- Disability parking spaces are located closest to the buildings and elevators in parking garages.
  Employees must display an NIH "Gold" Disability permit to park in disability employee parking.
I notice a lot of illegally parked cars or vehicles without hangers in the garages, whom do I inform?
- You will need to call the NIH Police on their non-emergency line at (301) 496-5685 and inform them of the location of the violation, as well as the offending vehicle's license plate, make, model, and color of the car.
Who is my Administrative Officer?
- From time to time, a person is turned away from the parking office because information is incomplete in their NED profile and/or something is wrong in their NED account. Your supervisor is the best person to ask but you may also log on to the NIH Enterprise Directory, where your AO and supervisor are listed.
Where do I obtain an ID?
- The Parking Office does not handle identification cards or matters regarding PIV, facility access, or background checks. For more information on ID badges, please visit the NIH Division of Police's ID Badges page.

Parking Member Questions
- I just purchased a new car, sold my old car, or need to update my license plate. How do I let you know?
  - The best way to modify vehicles associated with your parking hanger is to log in to CAPS. After logging in, please choose the "Modify" button, where you can edit your vehicle and other information.
    If you username and/or password do not work (such as Contractors or FDA employees) please feel free to email the NIH Parking Office.
- I am at the CAPS home page. What is my username and password?
  - Your username and password are the ones you use to log into your NIH computer. If you always use my PIV card to log into the computer and you can't remember your username and password, please go to and follow the steps listed on the website. If you are a contractor or tenant and do not have access to NIH usernames and passwords email the NIH parking office nihparkingoffice@nih.gov.
- I use my mom/husband/child’s state-issued disability placard, can I apply for a Gold Disability Parking Permit?
  - No. State-issued disability certificates must be under an employee's name to qualify for a Gold Disability Parking Permit. There are no exceptions.
- Can I park for free at a meter with my Gold Disability Parking Permit or state-issued disability placard?
  - No, there is no free parking at meters or visitor parking lots.
- I have a state-issued disability placard and I work off-campus, but occasionally go to campus for meetings. Do I need a Gold Disability Parking Permit to park in the Gold disability spaces?
  - Yes, off-campus employees who park on the NIH Bethesda campus are required to display a Gold NIH Disability Parking Permit if parked in parking spaces reserved for employees.
- The Office of Personnel Management has announced a delay. Do I need a temporary parking pass to park on campus for the day?
  - No. Any day the Office of Personnel Management has announced anything other than "Open," restrictions on general parking spaces are suspended for that day.
- Have the reserved times for Carpool spaces changed?
  - Yes. All Carpool spaces are now reserved for Carpool Permit holders until 11:00 am.
- I need a temporary disability "Gold" permit, how do I apply?
  - Employees who require a disability parking permit for temporary reasons (e.g., broken leg, recovery from surgery), must present either a valid DMV-issued temporary disability certification or an approved NIH Temporary Parking Request Form. This form must be signed by Occupational Medical Services (OMS), which is located in Building 10, 6th floor.
    This is accomplished by an employee requesting a temporary disability parking permit through OMS. If approved, OMS will provide NIH Form 26-9 directly to the ETSO (NIH Parking Office). Once processed, the employee will follow-up with ETSO to obtain the permit. The permit's expiration will not exceed the stated expiration date on the temporary authorization.
- I lost my NIH Parking Permit, how can I obtain a new one?
  - To obtain a new permit you must fill out Lost/Stolen Form (NIH-2574) and email it to nihparkingoffice@nih.gov.
- My car was stolen and my permit was in the car, how can I get a new one?
  - To obtain a new permit you must fill out Lost/Stolen Form (NIH-2574) and email it to nihparkingoffice@nih.gov.
- I am starting at the NIH and my orientation is on Monday, where do I park?
  - New employees starting at the NIH must park in the MLP-11 (Parking Garage) outside the Gateway Center. Once you find your orientation meeting place, ask for a validation form to waive the cost of parking in the garage on your orientation day. While at orientation you will receive more information about parking and other commuting benefits.
Remote Worker Parking Policy Changes
- I received an email from the CAPS system requesting the return of my General Remote Parking Permit. Should I return it?
  - Yes. Those remote workers who already possess a parking hanger must return them to the NIH Parking Office (Building 31, Room 1A11).
- I am a remote worker and printed a temporary permit. Where should I park on the Bethesda Campus?
  - You may only park in Lot 41/42 and the top level of MLP-10. The Employee Access Map (nih.gov) provides more information about these locations.
- I am a remote worker and need a temporary parking permit for a meeting on the Bethesda Campus. How can I obtain one, and how many permits am I eligible for?
  - You may obtain up to five (5) temporary permits per month by logging into the NIH Commuting and Parking Services Member Portal using your PIV card and PIN.
- I am no longer a remote worker. How do I obtain an NIH Parking Permit?
  - Contact your supervisor or Administrative Officer to ensure your NED profile is updated, and your remote status is removed.
- When I log into CAPS, my home address is incorrect on the first screen. How can I update it?
  - To update your information in NED, log in and follow the instructions or contact your AO for assistance. Additionally , the CAPS system allows you to enter a home address to be updated locally through your requested transaction.
- I am a contractor and a remote worker. Can I print out a temporary permit to visit the NIH Campus?
  - Yes. Log in to the NIH Commuting and Parking Services Member Portal using your PIV card and PIN. You may print up to five (5) permits per month.
- I am unable to log into the CAPS system. What should I do?
  - Contact the NIH Helpdesk at 301-496-4357.
- I am a remote worker but qualify for a Red parking permit. How do I request one?
  - All remote workers to include those approved for a red parking will no longer be eligible for a red hanger, but will be eligible to print five (5) permits per month for remote parking areas.
- I am a remote worker but have a state-issued disability permit. Can I use it on the NIH campus?
  - No. State-issued permits are not valid on the NIH campus. To use employee disability parking, you must apply for a “Gold Disability" permit.
- As a remote worker visiting the Clinical Center, can I park in the Building 10 ACRF garage or MLP-9 with a temporary permit?
  - No. Remote workers with temporary "General Remote" permits do not qualify to park in the ACRF or MLP-9 garages. However, permit holders can park in Lot 41/42 or the top level of MLP-10 on the NIH Campus in General parking areas ONLY.
- I am a remote worker but report to Rockledge I/II Facility, does this change affect me and do I have to return my permit?
  - Yes. This also applies to the Rockledge I/II parking areas, as the DATS manages the parking permits. The temporary permits will be valid at both Rockledge I/II general employee parking spaces and the NIH main campus designated areas (Top level of MLP-10 and Lot 41/42 ONLY).
- I am a teleworker and I have a General permit holder, do I have to return my permit?
  - No, teleworkers do not need to return permits. Only employees with Remote status in the NED system will need to return permits.
    
    Remote worker who is required to come to the NIH campus may print online for a temporary remote parking permit. Under the new policy, each remote worker will be limited to five temporary daily parking permits per month (as long as any parking hangers assigned to them are returned.) These permits can be printed using the CAPS portal and are valid only for specific satellite or peripheral parking areas, such as Lot 41/42 and the top deck of MLP-10. Additionally, the permits can be printed up to two weeks in advance, with each single permit designated for a single day.
- Employees who need to print a temporary permit but do not have a government issued printer at home, where do they print?
  - Employees who need to print a temporary permit but do not have a government issued printer can:
    - Print their parking permits up to two (2) weeks in advance.
    - Pick up a temporary permit from the NIH Parking Office in Bldg. 31/Room 1A11 up to two weeks prior to your campus visit.
    - Visit the NIH Library near the South Entrance of the Clinical Center (Building 10) and ask for printing assistance from the Information Desk staff.
    - Print at your office once you arrive on campus and then return to the vehicle and place in clear sight.
    NOTE: The new temporary remote worker permits are valid only for designated areas, which are on the top level of the MLP-10 Garage and Lot 41/42. You will need to park your vehicle in one of these areas, then obtain the printed permit and bring it back to your vehicle. NIH provides free shuttle services to both Bldg. 10S and Bldg. 31. But we suggest printing out your permit a day before or even a week before, so you don't have to go back and forth from the buildings to your vehicle in the morning.
- Are there exceptions, if I need more than 5 temporary permits?
  - No. There are no exceptions for obtaining additional temporary permits. Please contact your supervisor for guidance on changing your status to teleworker.
    
    Remote employees who need to access the NIH Bethesda Campus or Rockledge I/II but have exhausted their temporary permits can park in visitor lots: MLP-11 garage or Lot 18, at their own expense. Complimentary shuttle services are available from the visitor lots.
    
    Please note that the NIH Parking Office does not validate parking.
- Why remote workers can only park in Lot 41/42 or Top level of MLP-10?
  - The reasoning behind this policy is that employees who work in the office daily will have access to parking closer to their worksite, reducing competition for spaces with those who come in less frequently. Employees who visit the campus regularly must consult with their supervisors to discuss any possible changes to their remote work status to obtain a General Permit. This process ensures compliance with NIH policy changes that restrict remote workers from accessing parking privileges.
    For remote employees who have used up their temporary parking permits but still need access to the NIH Bethesda Campus or Rockledge I/II, parking options are available at their own expense. Specifically, they can use visitor lots such as the MLP-11 garage or Lot 18. Please note that while parking may be readily accessible in these areas, the NIH Parking Office does not provide validation for parking fees incurred in these lots. To help ease the commute from these visitor parking locations, complimentary shuttle services are offered.
    Thank you for your understanding as we adapt to the new guidance. We recognize that change can be challenging, and it may take time to fully understand the new procedures. Our team is committed to supporting the NIH Community throughout this transition.
- I chose a day to come to campus but have since changed my mind. Can I cancel the printed temporary permit? Will it still count as one of my five allowed days?
  - No, once a temporary permit has been printed, it cannot be canceled, and it will count as one of your five permits.

Contact Information

Employee Transportation Services Office
Telephone:(301) 496-5050
Fax: (301) 480-0854

Email: NIH Parking Office