New optional vehicle front plates allow backing into campus parking spaces, other updates from Parking and Transportation Services

A Purdue-issued front plate allows backing in and pulling through eligible parking campus parking spaces when used with a valid parking permit. Front plates may be purchased in person at the Parking and Transportation Services office located at 700 Ahlers Drive, West Lafayette. Photo provided by Administrative Operations. Download image

Parking and Transportation Services now sells optional front plates to anyone with an annual Purdue University parking permit. A unique front plate gets linked to an individual’s parking profile and permit to convey parking eligibility when scanned by enforcement staff.

Previously, a rear, state-issued license plate was required to face the driving lane for parking enforcement. 

“This new offering comes in response to requests from the campus community to have the ability to back into parking spaces on campus,” said Steven Carn, senior parking manager. “We rolled out front plates earlier this year on a small scale to test their viability, and the feedback we have received has been really positive.”

Front plates may be purchased for $20, which covers the production cost, in person during business hours at the Parking Facilities office in the Materials Management and Distribution Center, 700 Ahlers Drive. Parking and Transportation Services will be set up to sell front plates at the Córdova Recreational Sports Center main desk on Tuesday (April 11) from noon to 4 p.m. for interested faculty, staff and students. Debit and credit cards are the only accepted payment methods.

The front plate is intended to be a one-time expense for a permit holder, as it remains valid as long as a current parking permit is associated with the vehicle and front plate. The purchase of a front plate is optional, and its use for parking eligibility is specific to Purdue.

Individuals who have a state-issued front license plate are not required to purchase a front plate to back in or pull through a parking space.

Permit holders who opt not to purchase a front plate will still be required to have their state-issued, rear license plate facing the drive lane or are subject to receive a parking citation.

Parking and Transportation Services reminds the campus community that backing into angled parking spaces such as those in parking garages is prohibited by all motorists, regardless of having a front plate, as doing so goes against the direction of travel and creates safety concerns.

More information about front plates is included in sections three and four of the online Traffic and Parking Regulations.

Here are some additional operational changes that have recently been made to Parking and Transportation Services:

• The process for appealing a parking citation has been streamlined so all documentation now gets submitted through the online parking portal and routed accordingly. Additional information is included on the Parking Facilities website.
• Common citation reasons and fee and fine amounts have been added to section seven of the Traffic and Parking Regulations on the Parking Facilities website.
• The office transitioned to cashless operation, and all in-person sales or citations must be paid with debit, credit or mobile payment. 
• Staff are available to answer phones and emails from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The lobby is open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on these days.

Questions may be directed to Parking and Transportation Services at 765-494-9497 or parking@purdue.edu.