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License Plate Recognition

License Plate Recognition

Don't be shy – show us your license plate

License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology will move into phase two of implementation at Bloomington.The LPR technology we are using has been reviewed and approved by the Indiana University Security Office.

Please be sure that you park your vehicle with the license plate facing the driving lane.

If you wish to continue backing into parking spaces or pulling through them and your state does not issue a front license plate, you must purchase an IU LPR plate and display it on the front bumper of your vehicle. IU LPR plates must be purchased in person at our office.

Parking hang tags are still required and must be used to access most parking garages. All vehicles registered with the university must continue to display a hang tag during this transition period away from them.

How LPR works Answers to your LPR questions

How LPR works

License Plate Recognition (LPR) is a virtual permit system that allows you to use your license plate as your parking permit. No more worrying about properly displaying your parking permit or transferring your permit between vehicles. With LPR, your license plate is your virtual permit! LPR works much like a supermarket scanner but it uses your vehicle's plate in place of a barcode. The license plate is captured by cameras mounted on enforcement vehicles or inside parking garages. When read, the numbers of your plate are automatically referenced against the parking database to verify proper parking privileges for the parking location.

Answers to your LPR questions

About license plates

Is there a fee to obtain an IU LPR plate?

Yes, you will need to purchase the plate at our office.

Can I return an IU LPR plate?

IU LPR plates are valid for as long as you are using them on your vehicle and unlike a permit, do not require renewing. Therefore, the rate for the plate is neither pro-rated, nor available to be refunded.

What happens if I drive a rental vehicle to campus?

You will need to add any vehicle plate that you drive. You may remove the vehicle from your account as needed. This includes IU Fleet vehicles.

What happens if I have a specialty plate with special characters?

Permissions may only be associated with a state issued standard, specialty, or vanity license plate or the IU LPR plate. Other specialty plates displayed on the front of a vehicle will not enable back in or pull through parking.

Can I continue to use a speciality or vanity plate on the front of my vehicle?

You can add a new plate or edit your vehicle information for a current plate in your Parking Portal.

What happens if I have a temporary issued license plate?

You may enter your temporary plate number in the parking portal and update it once your new plate is affixed to your vehicle.

What happens if my license plate expires?

To be validly parked, all vehicle registrations must be current. This includes your state issued license plate. However, we do not require license plate expiration dates on your account to be updated. If you license plate number changes, you must update it on your account through the Parking Portal.

About LPR Technology and Parking Locations

Can I park a vehicle from Fleet Services in an IU lot?

Just as other rentals, rental vehicles from IU Fleet Services must be registered to your account.

Do I need to register the plate of my guests?

Protocol for visitors displaying a visitor permit or parking in designated visitor locations will not change.

Does the LPR stipulation to not back in or pull through a parking space apply to electric charging stations and ADA parking spots?

Exceptions to the parking stipulations will be made for vehicles actively charging at a charging station and for to vehicles that must back into ADA spaces for adequate access to the accessible aisles.

How will this affect the supplemental permit like SV, RPS, CHU, EVC that I use?

Secondary permits should be associated to your plate when possible. To check, sign into your Parking Portal and select Permits. They select "View Your Permits" from the top menu. Please contact our staff if you need assistance adding a supplemental permit to your plate.

How does LPR work with parking garages?

Currently, most garages on campus operate with gate equipment. LPR will be used to enforce designated parking zone locations in garages. At the Poplars garage, LPR is used to ensure a permit is valid or payment via ParkMobile has been made.

What happens if I am in a carpool?

Carpool permits will be associated to all carpool members at the time of purchase. Vehicles can be registered to multiple people, in their own Parking Portal.

What happens if I drive a motorcycle to campus?

Motorcycles that are parked in designated motorcycle parking locations will be exempt from the no backing in policy. Motorcycles that are parked in a spaces also designated for vehicles, will need to park with the plate facing the drive lane.

What happens when I visit another IU campus?

Permit display requirements on other campuses will continue to be required.

What will happen if my license plate becomes snow covered and unreadable?

Your plate should be kept clear of all snow or debris as possible.

When you do away with parking hang tags will my plate be assigned to specific parking lots or garages?

There are no plans to change the permission structure of parking permits.

Will a cover over my plate affect the camera's ability to read it?

Yes, this may cause your plate not to be able to be read.

Why do I have to display a parking permit and park with my license plate visible to the drive?

Parking enforcement will consist of both Enforcement Officers and LPR technology. Until IU completely moves away from a physical hangtag, both the hangtag and the plate must be displayed.

About your account

How can I remove a plate number from my account?

You may remove vehicle records through Parking Portal if it is not associated with open, paid, or dismissed citations. If you need assistance removing a plate that is no longer registered to you, please contact our office.

How many licenses plate numbers can I register on my account?

At this time, you may register up to 5 license plates on your account.