License Plate Recognition (LPR)

Parking & Transportation Services (PATS) is integrating License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology into operations for AY25-26, making parking more convenient and efficient. Take advantage of virtual parking permits that are linked directly to your license plate. This new system simplifies the permit process, eliminates the need for physical permits, and supports a more sustainable campus. For AY25-26, Campus Residents and Commuter zones will participate in the virtual permit program. For AY26-27, additional parking zones will be added to the virtual parking permits program. Reducing the need for physical permits and administrative overhead, LPR aligns with UNM 2040 Goal 4: Sustainability.

At UNM, your license plate is your permit. Just park and go - no decals, no hassle.

What you need to know:

  1. Register your vehicle through My Parking Account (make, model, color, license plate, etc.)
  2. Park in your designated parking zones
    1. Ensure you park forward (head-in) unless stated otherwise (such as reverse angle back-in parking along Campus Blvd.)
    2. Ensure your license plate is unobstructed and clean
    3. Exemption: "3:45 P.M. Rule." See qualifications and information at 3:45 P.M. Rule. If your permit qualifies you to park in another qualified parking zone under the 3:45 P.M. Rule, you will still be eligible to park in that other qualified parking zone with your virtual permit. Nothing changes.
  3. Do you have multiple cars or drive a different vehicle from your own?
    1. Ensure only one vehicle is parked at any given time at UNM. One virtual parking permit per customer.
    2. If you have an additional vehicle(s) linked to your permit, through My Parking Account, only one vehicle may use the permit. Additional vehicle(s) are required to make alternative parking arrangements (i.e. short-term paid parking options at a pay station or through ParkMobile).
      • One virtual parking permit per customer.
      • Maximum of two (2) vehicles may be linked to the permit, but only one vehicle may be on campus with the virtual permit at any given time. If an additional vehicle(s) are on campus using the virtual permit at the same time as the first vehicle, the other vehicle may be subject to enforcement action if alternative parking arrangements have not been made.
    3. Add vehicle information through My Parking Account (make, model, color, license plate, etc.)

Which parking permits are switching to virtual in AY25-26?

  1. Campus Resident zones: "R", "GR", "T", "INS" (Rainforest), "S" (Lomas), and "Y" (Yale).
    1. S (Lomas Parking Structure) permit holders will need to visit our Business office to collect a proximity card to access the parking structure.
    2. Lobo Village residents will still receive a physical parking permit from the Lobo Village leasing office.
    3. Staff & faculty permit holders in "R", "GR", "T", "INS", "S", and "Y" zones will still receive a physical permit.
    4. Commuter student permit holders in "T" and "Y" zones will still receive a physical permit.
  2. Commuter zones: K-Lot and South Lot.
    1. All permit holders (staff, faculty, and students) in "K" and "South Lot" will be switching to a virtual permit.

LPR Transparency at UNM:

  1. What's detected:
    1. license plates
    2. vehicles
  2. What's not detected:
    1. facial recognition
    2. people
    3. gender
    4. race
  3. Prohibited Usages:
    1. Immigration enforcement, traffic enforcement, harrassment and/or intimidation, reproductive health investigations, usage based solely on a protected class (e.g. race, sex, religion), and personal use.