If you already own your car or are considering purchasing one before you go to university, you may be considering taking it with you. After all, it will mean you don’t have to rely on public transport to get around. But this is an issue to consider carefully, as there may be additional costs and complications that mean it is not such a good idea.
University regulations
While universities do not normally ban their students’ cars, they do often discourage it. They may ask you to register your car in advance, so they can issue a permit. There is likely to be a fee for this. They may also have designated parking spots which may also incur a fee. Parking will be limited and universities are busy places, so you will need to consider whether the effort needed to find a parking space each day is worth it.
Student accommodation
Before bringing your car to university, look at where you will be living. If it is near the university, a car may not be needed. Or it may be on a regular and frequent bus service. If you do want to bring your car and you are living in university accommodation, check what parking facilities they have in advance. This information should be available from your university. For example, if you want to find out about the different options for Exeter student homes, you can find information at https://www.exeteruniversityaccommodation.co.uk. If you are living in private accommodation, find out about restrictions in the area, like residents’ parking.
Local regulations
You should also look at the costs and regulations of the university’s city or town. Find out how much car parks are. Or whether there are any restrictions on driving. Some cities, such as Birmingham and Bristol have clean air zones that could result in a charge or a costly fine.
Ultimately, you may decide that having a car at university is convenient and cost-effective. But if you have considered all aspects of car ownership at university, you can make an informed decision.
