License Plates: The New Parking Permit
Parking & Mass Transit Services’ uses a license plate recognition (LPR) system. Purchase a permit today.
Under the system, license plates act as visitor, student, faculty and staff parking permits.
The technology launched June 2025 semester. Learn more about this initiative:
- What is license plate recognition?
- How does UAlbany’s LPR system work?
- Do individuals who park on campus need to make any changes?
- What are the benefits of using LPR technology?
What is license plate recognition?
License plate recognition (LPR) systems use a technology called optical character recognition, which converts images of text into machine-readable text, to read hundreds of license plates and quickly match them with records in the Parking Services database.
LPR has been around for decades and is commonly used at other SUNY campuses including but not limited to, the University at Buffalo, Binghamton University, and SUNY Brockport.
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How does UAlbany’s LPR system work?
The LPR system is integrated into a streamlined UAlbany parking portal, so you can easily purchase your annual permit, update your license plate information, request temporary permits, pay citations and more.
When UAlbany’s parking attendants patrol campus, the LPR system will capture a photo of each vehicle and its immediate surroundings, a photo of each vehicle’s license plate and the date/time.
If a scanned license plate is not associated with a valid UAlbany parking permit or is not parked in the correct lot, our staff will investigate and, if appropriate, issue a citation.
Data collected by UAlbany’s LPR system is stored securely to protect your privacy and is only used to validate vehicle registration.
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What else do individuals who park on campus need to know?
Vehicles must be parked so that a license plate is viewable from the driving lane and license plates must be readable. Devices that cover or obstruct a license plate are illegal in New York State, and the presence of such devices may result in a citation.
For vehicles registered in New York, some older license plates’ coating is susceptible to peeling and replacements are available. Replace a peeling or damaged New York State license plate.
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What are the benefits of using LPR technology?
- Sustainability: The University issued thousands of permits each year, and plastic decals were distributed in paper envelopes and with paper instructions. By being digital, we’re considerably reducing waste.
- Convenience: You don’t need to visit the Parking & Mass Transit Services office or wait for your decal to arrive in the mail. Once you register for a parking permit, you’ll be ready to park on campus.
- Flexibility: You can also add a temporary vehicle for up to 19 days per year at no charge when you need to unexpectedly take a different vehicle.
- Support: The technology allows parking staff to perform their duties more efficiently and effectively, giving them more time to focus on customer service.
- Safety: Using license plates to verify parking privileges prevents the loss, theft and forgery that can sometimes happen with parking decals.
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