We use virtual parking permits at NIU. Instead of putting a physical permit in your vehicle, your license plate acts as your virtual permit. Parking enforcement officers use license plate recognition (LPR) technology to check virtual permits. LPR allows officers to read license plates as they drive through parking lots and check their registration status in our parking management system.
Please contact Parking Services at 815-753-1045 or parking@niu.edu if you have any questions about license plate recognition.
How to Park for LPR
We realize that states have different laws on the need for front and rear license plates. When parking on campus, you must park so your license plate faces the drive aisle of the parking lot. This allows an enforcement officer to scan your plate as they drive by. If you do not park your vehicle this way, you’ll receive a ticket.
Confidentiality
Vehicle information is gathered solely to ensure compliance with parking rules and regulations. As required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), we do not share vehicle ownership information with any agency, and driver information is protected under the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). We store license plate information if it’s connected to a valid permit or if a ticket is issued.