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License Plate Recognition

O U parking lot in the fall with a tree branch in the forefront.

License Plate Recognition

Your Plate is Your Permit!

OU Parking Services is now using license plate recognition (LPR), which is a system that allows you to use your license plate as your permit! No more worrying about properly displaying your parking permit or transferring your permit between vehicles.

Stylized crimson line.

What's Different?

A valid OU parking permit will still be required to park on campus, and permit holders will still be assigned to specific locations to park. Rather than displaying a physical permit though, a "virtual permit" will be associated with license plate(s) on the customer's account. 

How does it work?

LPR is a system of cameras and accompanying software, which are placed on OU Parking Services vehicles to scan license plates. Once a plate is scanned and read by the software, the information is sent to the secure parking database for validation. This happens instantaneously, allowing the enforcement officers to cover the entire campus multiple times per day. When a scanned license plate number is not associated with a valid permit or is not entered correctly, enforcement is prompted to investigate further and potentially issue a citation.

Customer Service Benefits

  • Simplify/streamline the permit renewal process - no extra trips to pick up permit, no concerns with lost/stolen mail, no waiting in line and no extended processing time
  • No physical permit to lose, forget or move from vehicle to vehicle
  • No $15 replacement fee if permit lost

Window Sticker for Faculty/Staff

Faculty/Staff that park in gated lots will be issued a window sticker. Simply pull up to the gate and the gate will open upon reading your window sticker.  There is a limit of 1 sticker per Faculty/Staff member and it may not be transferred to any other vehicles.   

To ensure your window sticker functions properly, please follow the mounting instructions below. The tag is non-transferable and removing the window sticker will damage the embedded antenna.

  1. Plan the position: Mount the window sticker on the inside of your windshied at least one inch from the glass edges. Place the window sticker on the same side of the vehicle as the RFID reader. It is recommended to place it high or near the rearview mirror for standard access. Ensure it stays at least 2.5 inches away from metal frames or heavy tint. 
  2. Clean the Surface: Thoroughly wipe the area of glass where you plan to place the window sticker with a microfiber cloth and rubbing alcohol or a mild glass cleaner to remove dust and oils.
  3. Peel and Apply: Remove the protective liner from the adhesive. Hold the window sticker by its edges to avoid touching the adhesive surface, and press the tag firmly against the glass.
  4. Smooth it Out: Rub your thumb firmly across the entire surface of the window sticker to eliminate any trapped air bubles. 

Enforcement and Parking

The license plate is associated with the virtual permit and anyone who parks on campus must have a valid OU parking permit and link their vehicle(s) to their permit through their OU Parking Services account. The purchaser is responsible for the accuracy of the license plate and vehicle information in the parking portal. Citations will be issued to the vehicle owner if inaccurate license plate information is self-reported in the parking portal or parking enforcement staff are unable to scan a license plate when the vehicle is parked.

License plates must face the drive lane to be scanned for compliance. Vehicles from states that don't require a front license plate must be parked allowing the rear plate to be scanned from the drive aisle (don't back in).

Multiple Vehicles

Only one vehicle linked to your virtual permit may be parked on campus at a time to avoid receiving a citation. The LPR system will notify parking enforcement personnel to write a citation if two or more plates are scanned within 4 hours on campus. Customers may have a maximum of three vehicles linked to their current parking permit.

Temporary Plates

Temporary, paper license plates on new vehicles need to be 1) registered online using the last 8 digits of the VIN number and 2) linked to an individual's permit to avoid receiving a citation. Once the permanent plate has been obtained, it should be added to the permit online. The temporary plate should be removed from both the permit and the parking profile.