#  Parking System Transition 

 



We’re launching new access technology as part of our transition to a License Plate Recognition (LPR) parking system. Once live, vehicle access and parking credentials will be controlled by your license plate.



 

 

##  Parking Renewal 2026-27 

Renew your parking permit for 2026-27 by June 30, 2026.

 

 



Please join us!

### Virtual Office Hours 

 

We are hosting a series of virtual office hours to help you renew on the new parking portal and answer any questions you may have. We're here to help!

- June 22 from 3-4 p.m.
- June 23 from 3-4 p.m.
- June 30 from 10-11 a.m.
- July 2 from 10-11 a.m.
- July 10 from 10-11 a.m.
- July 17 from 10-11 a.m.
- July 20 from 10-11 a.m.



 [ Zoom Link arrow\_circle\_right ](https://harvard.zoom.us/j/98582460047) 

 



      ![Car entering parking garage](/sites/g/files/omnuum12016/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2024-08/Garage.jpg?h=51fe0e35&itok=Z4Zhtmdz) 

 

 

  

 



### Things to know 

 

- **If you do not renew your permit by June 30, 2026, your parking access will be deactivated on July 1, 2026.**
- If you want to make changes to your parking election, do not renew and instead, contact the Campus Service Center at [parkingrenewal@harvard.edu](mailto:parkingrenewal@harvard.edu?subject=FY27%20Renewal%20-%20Change%20Permit&body=).
- If you renew your permit, you agree to begin paying for your permit starting July 1, 2026. Please review the new parking rates that will take effect on July 1. [Please review the FY27 rates, tiered rates, and other permit information here.](https://transportation.harvard.edu/news/2025/05/fy27-parking-permit-and-rates-update)
- As a reminder, you will not receive a hangtag. [Your license plate is your parking credential](https://transportation.harvard.edu/resource/parkingtransition#tips) and access to authorized Harvard parking facilities. You may now discard your expired hangtags and transponders or return them to the Campus Service Center.
- Your QR code will be sent via your email confirmation. Mobile wallet functionality is now available!



 



      ![Observatory parking sign](/sites/g/files/omnuum12016/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2024-08/Parking_Facilities_Observatory.jpg?h=1389e31d&itok=G-e0e9sp) 

 

 

  

 



### What to do 

 

1. Before you get started, have your license plate(s) information available
2. Visit the [new parking portal](https://vpermit.com/harvard) and **log in with your HarvardKey**
3. On the home screen, scroll down to **Permits Information**
4. Click the **Purchase Again** button
5. Select your permit from the drop-down menu
6. Select your payment method and verify your license plate(s)
7. Follow the prompts to **complete your permit renewal**



 [ Renew today! arrow\_circle\_right ](https://vpermit.com/harvard) 

 



      ![Two women carpooling](/sites/g/files/omnuum12016/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2024-07/Carpool.jpg?itok=ZC9_ZMLd) 

 

 

  

 



 

 

 

##  Troubleshooting & Tips 

 



### What's New 

 

- **License plate recognition**
    - Cameras at the parking entrance and exit will scan your license plate to open the gates to a garage or lot.
- **Secondary access credential**
    - You will be assigned a QR code as a secondary credential if your license plate cannot be read (e.g., not updated on your account, covered by snow, rental vehicle, no front plate). Scan that QR code at the QR code reader to open the gates.
- **Pedestrian door access**
    - Your QR code will serve as your primary credential to access doors at the garage. Scan your QR code at the reader for pedestrian access.
- Mobile wallet functionality for QR codes is now live!



 



      ![parking gate entry gates](/sites/g/files/omnuum12016/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-05/Parking_Facility_10EV.jpg?itok=VkOk773B) 

 

 

  

 



### Download your QR code on your mobile device 

 

1. Visit the **Harvard parking portal**
2. **Log in** to vPermit with Harvard Key
3. Navigate to the top right corner and click your name
4. Your **QR code** is in your account details
5. Click the **Download** button and save as a photo



 [ Access your account arrow\_circle\_right ](https://vpermit.com/harvard) 

 



      ![Parking monitor greeting drivers at garage entry](/sites/g/files/omnuum12016/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2026-04/IMG_6969.jpeg?h=abdcff69&itok=lfXC6OvX) 

 

 

  

 



### Update license plate(s) 

 

1. Visit the **Harvard parking portal**
2. **Log in** to vPermit with Harvard Key
3. Navigate to **Manage Vehicles** and then **Edit Vehicles**

Up to 5 plate numbers can be added.



 [ Access your account arrow\_circle\_right ](https://vpermit.com/harvard) 

 



      ![Parked cars](/sites/g/files/omnuum12016/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2024-08/Transit%20Station%20Parking.jpg?itok=35pu0_8L) 

 

 

  

 



### Update phone number 

 

1. Visit the **Harvard parking portal**
2. **Log in** to vPermit with Harvard Key
3. Navigate to **Your Name** in the upper right-hand corner (in desktop browser)
    1. **On mobile device** - Click the list symbol in the upper right-hand corner and then click your name
4. Enter your **mobile**
5. Click **Save Details**
6. Please disregard "Registered Addresses". This is linked to your permit location.



 [ Access your account arrow\_circle\_right ](https://vpermit.com/harvard) 

 



      ![vpermit screenshot of updating account details](/sites/g/files/omnuum12016/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2026-05/vpermit%20phone%20number.png?h=4da7b2e7&itok=GOfChthV) 

 

 

  

 



### Avoid permit verification, access & enforcement issues 

 

- Your license plate serves as your parking credential on campus and access to authorized Harvard parking facilities.
- Make sure your license plate information is up to date in the parking portal to avoid permit verification, access, and enforcement issues.



 



      ![Parking Monitor in Harvard Yard](/sites/g/files/omnuum12016/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2024-06/Parking-Monitor%20Yard.jpg?h=6d4245a9&itok=UHw3amfZ) 

 

 

  

 



 

 

 

##  Project Timeline 

SortMilestoneImpactNoticesApril 4, 2025

Changes are coming. Save your hangtag!

[4/4/25](https://mailchi.mp/383805b4301e/fy26renewalcomm1)

May 13, 2025

Keep your license plate and vehicle information up to date.

[5/13/25](https://mailchi.mp/afe96cee522e/fy26renewalcomm2)

July 1, 2025

FY26 virtual parking permits begin in the field.

 

Week of March 9, 2026

Installation at Peabody Terrace Garage

Installation at 10 Akron Garage



[12/18/25](https://mailchi.mp/50299d34aad7/pbtgupdate1), [3/3/26](https://mailchi.mp/daa5736a1722/pbtgupdate2), QR codes sent 3/11/26

[3/10/26](https://mailchi.mp/f847771fb9bb/10akupdate12), QR codes sent 3/12/26



Week of March 16, 2026

Installation at 5 Cowperthwaite Garage

Installation at DeWolfe Garage



[3/10/26](https://mailchi.mp/588e23c6f59b/5cowupdate12), QR codes sent 3/16/26

[3/10/26](https://mailchi.mp/46b916748b16/dewolfeupdate12), QR codes sent 3/18/26



Week of March 23, 2026

Installation at 1201 Mass Ave Garage

Installation at Broadway Garage



[3/16/26](https://mailchi.mp/3559bdfe5ad4/broadwayupdate12), QR codes sent 3/24/26

[3/16/26](https://mailchi.mp/3559bdfe5ad4/broadwayupdate12), QR codes sent 3/25/26



Week of March 30, 2026

Installation at 52 Oxford Garage

Installation at 10 Everett Garage



[3/23/26](https://mailchi.mp/33d059a59456/52oxfordupdate12), QR codes sent 3/30/26

[3/23/26](https://mailchi.mp/7ba3d7a330eb/10everettupdate12), QR codes sent 4/1/26



Week of April 6, 2026

Installation at 1 Western Garage

Installation at Soldiers Field Park Garage



[3/30/26](https://mailchi.mp/e4df010e7a55/1westernupdate12), QR codes sent 4/6/26

[3/30/26](https://mailchi.mp/213ea80720fe/sfpgupdate12), QR codes sent 4/7/26



Week of April 13, 2026

Installation at Harvard Business School Lot

Installation at Webster Lot



[4/6/26](https://mailchi.mp/db395daceb6c/hbsupdate12), QR codes sent 4/8/26

[4/6/26](https://mailchi.mp/eca24b6e6864/websterupdate12), QR codes sent 4/8/26



Week of June 22, 2026

Parking permit renewal for 2026-27 opens!

[5/27/26](https://mailchi.mp/76350dc4118b/fy27renewaliscoming), [General Renewal](https://mailchi.mp/6ce767f2eca0/fy27generalrenewnow), [Carpool Renewal](https://mailchi.mp/3f89d1f7e51d/fy27carpoolrenewnow), [3-Day Renewal](https://mailchi.mp/efed68694cda/fy273dayrenewnow)

June 30, 2026

Deadline to renew your parking permit for 2026-27









 

##  FAQS 

 



  Open all sections   Close all sections  



###    Why are you collecting license plate information and what are you doing with it?  expand\_more  

- Customer vehicle information, including license plate information, is already collected as part of the permit application process. This technology will simply use your license plate number to quickly verify that you have a valid permit.
- All information will be collected and stored consistent with [Harvard’s Information Security Policy](https://privsec.harvard.edu/information-security-policy) and will be used only for parking permit verification, access, and enforcement.
- The new technology will scan plates when your car enters or is parked in Harvard facilities and use plate information to check against our records and confirm you have a valid permit.

 

 



###    What is new about this system?  expand\_more  

- Your license plate will replace physical hangtags and transponders (if applicable) and become your access credential used to verify your valid parking permit.

 

 



###    Why are you making the switch to a new system?  expand\_more  

- The technology is more convenient since you will no longer need a physical hangtag or transponder (if applicable), allowing for quicker garage entry and exit, as well as a more efficient permit verification. It will also significantly reduce plastic waste.
- Future goals of this transition will allow Harvard Parking Services to offer different types of permits that our current system cannot support

 

 



###    What should I do with my hangtag and transponder (if applicable)?  expand\_more  

- Please continue to display your current 2024-25 hangtag and transponder (if applicable) until the new permitting system is operational.
- Harvard Parking Services will continue to communicate any changes as necessary.

 

 



###    How can I make sure I don’t get ticketed?  expand\_more  

- Even though you will not be issued a new hangtag, you must submit your parking renewal if you intend to park on campus in 2025-26.
- Until further notice, you will need to continue using your current 2024-25 hangtag and transponder (if applicable) into 2025-26 as we work to upgrade our systems.
- When the new system is ready, your license plate will serve as your parking credential on campus.
- Make sure your vehicle and license plate information is up to date in the parking portal to avoid permit verification, access, and enforcement issues.

 

 



###    What if I have multiple vehicles?  expand\_more  

- You can register multiple vehicles in the parking portal just like you do now. However, only one vehicle can be parked on campus at a time unless you have multiple permits.

 

 



###    What if I get a new vehicle or new license plate?  expand\_more  

- You will need to update your vehicle information in the parking portal as soon as possible to avoid permit verification, access, and enforcement issues.

 

 



###    What if I have a rental vehicle?  expand\_more  

- You can register your rental vehicle in the parking portal just like you do now. It is the permit holder’s responsibility to manage the vehicles attached to their record.
- Please be aware that while our portal allows you to register multiple vehicles, only one vehicle may be parked on campus at a time unless you have multiple permits.

 

 



###    How can visitors park on campus?  expand\_more  

- Visitors can park on campus by purchasing a daily permit (HOPPS) or hourly parking (ZipBy) through the [Transportation Services website](https://transportation.harvard.edu/daily-hourly-parking).

 

 



 

 

 

 

##  Announcements 

 



  [### FY27 Parking Permit Renewal and Rate Changes

 ](/news/2026/05/fy27-parking-permit-renewal-and-rate-changes) May 27, 2026 

Parking permit renewal will be announced soon – stay tuned!

Read on for FY27 parking permit rates and reminders.



 

 

   ![Car entering parking garage](/sites/g/files/omnuum12016/files/styles/hwp_scale_small/public/2024-08/Garage.jpg?itok=Wga8niSG) 

 



 

 

  

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