Automatic Number Plate Recognition, usually shortened to ANPR, uses a camera and software to read a vehicle’s registration number. The system checks that number against a list of vehicles allowed to enter. If the vehicle is authorised, the connected gate or barrier can open automatically.
For a driver, the process can be as simple as approaching the entrance. For the site manager, ANPR can make it easier to control vehicle access without handing out a remote or asking drivers to enter a code.
How does ANPR gate access work?
An ANPR setup usually has three parts:
- A camera captures the vehicle as it approaches.
- Recognition software reads the registration number.
- Access control checks whether that plate has permission and, if so, signals the gate or barrier to open.
The site manager controls which number plates are authorised. Depending on the system, access can also be limited by user, gate, or time period. For example, a contractor’s vehicle might be allowed to enter only during a particular project, while staff vehicles may have ongoing access.
Why use ANPR for gate access?
ANPR can make vehicle entry quicker and reduce the day-to-day work involved in managing access.
Drivers do not need to find a fob or enter a code. Once an authorised plate is recognised, the gate can open automatically.
Access can be managed by vehicle. If a vehicle is no longer allowed on site, its plate can be removed from the authorised list. There is no physical fob to retrieve.
It can suit sites with frequent vehicle movements. Business parks, storage facilities, farms, and other sites may need to manage staff, contractors, customers, and deliveries arriving at different times.
Entry events are recorded. A digital access record can help site managers review activity and investigate questions about who entered and when. The information recorded depends on the system and its configuration.
ANPR is not automatically the right choice for every entrance. A camera needs a suitable view of the vehicle’s plate, and recognition can be affected by positioning, lighting, weather, plate condition, or a vehicle arriving in an unexpected way. Sites should consider how visitors and unregistered vehicles will enter, and keep an alternative access method where it is needed.
What should you consider before installing ANPR?
Before choosing an ANPR system, think about how your entrance is used:
- Where will vehicles stop or approach? The camera needs a clear view of the registration plate.
- Who needs access? Consider staff, residents, contractors, visitors, and delivery drivers.
- Will permissions vary? Some sites need access to depend on the user, vehicle, gate, or time.
- What happens when a plate is not recognised? Decide how a visitor can request entry or use another approved method.
- What records do you need? Check what access events are logged and who can view them.
- How will you manage privacy? Tell drivers what information is captured, why it is used, and how long it is kept. Limit access to the records to people who need it.
A site-specific assessment can help confirm the camera position, gate connection, access rules, and visitor process before installation.
How digiGate ANPR works
digiGate connects ANPR with gate and barrier control. Authorised vehicle plates can be managed through the digiGate management console, allowing site managers to control which vehicles can use the entrance. The system can also record access events, giving administrators a digital record to review.
The right setup depends on the site: camera position, entrance layout, the vehicles using it, and the access rules all matter. If you are considering ANPR, start by mapping out who needs to enter, when they need access, and how visitors or unrecognised vehicles should be handled.
digiGate ANPR product
digiGate products and pricing
Contact digiGate to discuss your site
Is ANPR right for your site?
ANPR is worth considering when vehicle entry needs to be convenient and the site needs a manageable way to control authorised vehicles. It can reduce reliance on shared codes and physical fobs, but it still needs thoughtful installation and a clear process for exceptions.
Compare the entrance requirements, user needs, and available access methods before deciding. For some sites, ANPR works best alongside app control or another approved way to grant access.