Frequently Asked Questions

Virtual Permits use your license plate information and a connected database to identify your vehicle with License Plate Recognition rather than a traditional affixed decal or hangtag permit.

Your plate is your permit.

License Plate Recognition (LPR) is a component of the new AIMS parking management software that utilizes fixed and handheld cameras, as well as optical character recognition (OCR), to identify license plate numbers. The license plate, once registered, becomes a “virtual” parking permit and no additional physical permit is required to be displayed on the vehicle.

Okay, but what does that mean?
Just like a cashier at a grocery store scans the barcode on your groceries rather than manually keying in the price, the LPR system will capture your license plate and determine if it has been registered instead of parking officers manually checking your permit.

You will still be able to register for and purchase most permits online as you have always done. The only difference will be that online purchase is now required.

There will be no permit stickers or hangtags for students, faculty, and staff. 

You may see some vehicles on campus that still have permits, as some contractors and temporary workers are not eligible for yearly permits.

Our system also accepts e-checks. Check with your bank to see if your checking account can be used for ACH payments (most can) and just enter your routing and checking account number.

No bank account or a Pin-Only debit card? Our system will also accept prepaid credit cards that can be purchased at most grocery stores.

Any changes that need to be made to vehicles, including updating license plates, adding or removing vehicles, (removed) or purchasing annual or temporary permits may now be done through the Parking Portal.

You may register up to three license plates for three vehicles online and use them interchangeably.  You can also remove or replace registered license plates, either permanently or temporarily, online.

Not a good idea. A virtual permit cannot be shared with others, just like a physical permit could not be. The ability to register multiple vehicles is a convenience offered to help minimize the amount of time needed to change a license plate online. It is not to be used as a method to circumvent the purchase of a virtual permit by another.

LPR functionality allows real-time communication between enforcement vehicles and can determine when more than one of your registered license plates is parked on campus. LPR can also be used to identify license plates registered by you that park on different days or at different times. For example, a vehicle that parks every Monday and Wednesday and another every Tuesday and Thursday will be flagged for possible enforcement action. In both of the above cases, a $200 Fraudulent Use of a Permit citation will be issued, vehicles are subject to being booted or towed, and both drivers may lose their parking privileges for one year.

You may both register the same license plates. The LPR system will be able to determine that two vehicles on campus have two permits and the vehicles will not be ticketed.