Is it true that most colleges don't allow freshman to have their own cars?

Question

I've heard this from 2 people now in the past day, and it kind of pisses me off. Yes, I realize there are other forms of transportation, like the bus. But why do most colleges not want you to drive during freshman year?

I understand it's a insurance liability, but the way I see it, if I have a car that's parked outside of campus, it's no one's business or problem but mine. So what gives?

Answer 1

not true! however, some schools have limited parking space and would prefer that they are assigned to upper classmen rather than freshman, or only students living on campus and/or commuters. some schools even require freshman to live on campus in hopes that they will decide not to bring their car since they dont need to commute allowing more parking space for others. but either way, contact the school of your choice and find out to be sure. another reason you may be hearing this rumor is because some schools charge freshman students extra to park as another way to prevent them from driving. it doesnt mean they cant bring their car, it just means it will cost more. the reason for this is that freshman usually spend more time on campus and choose to live in the dorms which means their cars are more likely to stay parked for longer leaving less opportunities for other cars that commute or just visit to have a space. this can be a drawback for the school because those people need to be able to travel back and forth or they will probably end up transferring to a school with more space or just choose not to attend at all = financial loss to the school.

Answer 2

This was not the case where I went to college, but I have heard of it. I would imagine this has something to do with parking issues and living on campus. There are a limited number of spaces available, and if everyone who didn't live on campus drove to school, that would fill up the parking spaces available. Then if the freshmen who were living on campus (or forced to live on campus) had cars which they wouldn't technically need because they lived on campus, that takes away spaces available for those who have to drive to school.

I don't think it's an issue if your car is not parked on campus and not brought to campus (the latter because you typically need a parking pass to park on campus and they aren't going to sell you one if you're a freshman), but if you live on campus, why go to all that hassle to keep your car far away? And if you don't live on campus, I don't think they can refuse to let you drive to school.

Talk to the parking department (or administration) to find out the facts, but if your school of choice has such a policy and it's irritating, you may want to start looking to go elsewhere.

Answer 3

In addition to very limited parking spaces on a lot of campuses (faculty, staff, visitors to school, graduate students ... ), freshmen are expected to jump right in and be immersed in college life, which means going to classes, eating on campus, attending campus events ...

it has a lot more to do with freshman year experience than whether or not you want to drive.

Answer 4

usually only where parking is a problem...check the college catalog or web site. You can own a car, just not drive it to school.

There may be some other schools that don't allow cars - religious schools that expect freshmen to live on campus.

Answer 5

Some schools do have this rule, it is generally due to limited parking space available. Most colleges do not. Ask the specific college you are interested in about this rule, it was not true for me personally. Don't worry about it.

Answer 6

The only thing you can do is to contact the colleges of your interest and inquire. Around me, there are no colleges that have any conditions for owning a car, other than to have it properly registered and insured.

Answer 7

Never heard of that one. But I'm not all knowing either. The only exception might be a military school. Ya got me.