Tips for Accessing Your Parking Garage

To support smooth traffic flow at all six parking garages on campus, especially during busy arrival and departure times, we’d like to share a few helpful reminders about garage access.

License Plate Recognition: Your Best Option

License Plate Recognition (LPR) is the primary and most efficient way to enter and exit the garage.

For the fastest experience, please make sure:

  • Your vehicle license plate is correctly entered in your parking account
  • The plate number is entered exactly as it appears (no spaces or extra characters)

Taking a moment to confirm your plate information in advance can help reduce stop‑and‑go delays at the gate.

Secondary Access Options

If needed, you may also access the garage using:

  • A physical Cougar Card, tapped at the gate reader
  • A digital Cougar Card, with the QR code open and ready on your device

Please note:

  • The QR code printed on the back of the physical Cougar Card is not used for garage access.
  • Having your card ready before reaching the gate helps keep lanes moving.

Additional Tips for Smooth Entry

  • Pull fully forward and center your vehicle at the gate so readers can work efficiently.
  • Allow one vehicle per gate cycle and wait for the gate to close before the next car approaches.
  • Practice courteous merging near the garage entrance, especially during peak times.

Need Help?

If you need assistance at the gate, please use the assistance button or contact Parking & Transportation Services so we can help resolve the issue promptly.