License plate recognition: questions answered.

Technology that finds a vehicle's number plate in a camera image and converts it to text, so it can be logged, searched and matched against lists. Full introduction.

No — they are regional names for the same technology. LPR vs ANPR.

Capture, plate localization, normalization, character segmentation, then character recognition and matching. Step by step.

With a well-positioned camera, modern deep-learning LPR reads the large majority of plates correctly. Accuracy drops with steep angles, motion blur, glare, dirt and damaged plates — which is why camera setup matters most.

With a fast shutter, plates are readable at motorway speed. VISEC reads plates at over 100 kph (60 mph).

Yes. Infrared makes plates bright at night because plate material reflects IR. Rain and fog reduce range; a closer, lower camera helps.

It depends on the software's training. VISEC reads plates in more than 80% of the world's countries.

Some systems can. VISEC can alert on vehicles with no readable plate.

Anywhere from nothing to thousands per lane. Specialist systems often charge per camera or per month. Software that runs on your existing cameras is far cheaper — VISEC is free on one camera, with one-time licenses for more.

Yes. Free LPR software for Windows: VISEC includes plate recognition in its free one-camera license, for life.

No. A standard IP camera works when aimed correctly with a fast shutter. Hardware guide.

Yes — Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit, 8 GB of memory. A graphics card with 4 GB speeds up AI recognition.

Generally yes on your own property, but rules on recording and storing vehicle data vary by country and state. Check local law, point cameras at your own property, and keep only what you need.

That depends on the system. Cloud services store it with the vendor; software such as VISEC keeps the plate log on your own PC.