UNLV students, faculty, and staff can now purchase their parking permits via the Internet.

The university has contracted with a dot-com company called "iParq" to provide the new online service, which will speed up the parking registration and payment process. This service can be accessed through the company's website, located at Parking Portal.

For a $3.95 service fee, students, faculty and staff can register for and purchase their annual parking permits in a matter of minutes from the convenience of their computers, anytime day or night.

Parking applicants can use Visa, American Express, MasterCard, and Discover credit cards. All transactions are secure, and applicant information is kept strictly confidential. For more information regarding privacy, please visit Parking Portal.

When using this online service, those purchasing permits should be prepared to complete all required fields, such as university ID number; driver's license number; credit card information; permit type; and vehicle make, year, and license plate number. Under "parking destination," applicants should enter "UNLV."

When an application is approved, a parking permit will be mailed to the home of the applicant within a few days. Applicants must return to Parking Portal website to activate their new permits before using them on their vehicles.

Renewal of parking permits for 2002-03, via the Internet or through traditional means, will begin August 1. Meanwhile, permits for the remainder of the current semester or for summer are now available both through the Internet and at the Parking Services office. Current full-year permits are valid through Aug. 31.

For more information, call Parking Services at 895-1300.