A licence plate recognition (LPR) camera reads plates by looking at vehicles almost head-on, with a fast shutter and infrared light for night. Installers typically keep the horizontal angle to the plate within about 15 to 20 degrees and mount at modest height. Plates can be captured at roughly 70 feet with a tight zoom. Use a dedicated LPR camera at a gate or lane, and a wide camera for the scene. Test on site before you commit.
PCBy the Pixl Canada install team. Updated . 6 min read.
- Seven setup factors in one table
- Angles, shutter speed, IR and distance
- Where LPR cameras go
- Free written quote for wired CCTV
- Angle matters most. The more the plate is at an angle, the lower the accuracy.
- Use a fast shutter so moving plates do not blur, and infrared for night.
- A wide camera and an LPR camera do different jobs.
- Numbers below are vendor guidance. Confirm with the camera maker’s manual.
How does a licence plate recognition camera work?
The camera captures a clear picture of the plate and software reads the characters. The picture must be sharp and square-on to the plate. A general security camera looking down from a steep angle will not do the job, which is why LPR cameras are set up differently from scene cameras.
What setup factors matter for plate capture?
Vendor guides agree on the basics but differ on the exact numbers, so use these as starting points and test on site. They come from Digital Watchdog’s LPR installation guide and CCTV Camera Pros.
| Factor | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Horizontal angle | Keep within about 15 to 20 degrees of the plate’s path. Less is better. |
| Vertical angle | Within about 30 degrees when mounted elevated, about 3 to 8 feet. |
| Target zone | Design for a capture zone no wider than about 5 to 6 feet at high resolution. |
| Plate size in the picture | Characters about 30 to 35 pixels tall is a common target. |
| Shutter speed | Fast enough to freeze motion. Around 1/500 to 1/1000 for moving vehicles, slower for slow traffic. |
| Night | Infrared lighting, with the camera switching to black-and-white earlier than default to avoid blur. |
| Distance | One vendor quotes about 70 feet at tightest zoom. Longer needs a longer lens. |
Gain and exposure are often set manually for LPR. Focus can also shift between day and night because of infrared, so check both.
Where do licence plate cameras go?
| Location | Why |
|---|---|
| Gate or entrance lane | Vehicles slow or stop, and the angle is predictable |
| Exit lane | Match arrival and departure |
| Loading yard entry | Log trucks in and out |
| Parking payment point | Slow-moving plates close to the camera |
For the wider layout see parking lot security cameras, and for when a PTZ helps, see the PTZ camera guide.
Are there privacy rules for licence plate cameras in Canada?
A plate can be personal information in some contexts, and rules differ by province and by who owns the site. Read our guide to security camera laws in Canada and check with a lawyer for your case. This is not legal advice.
Licence plate recognition cameras: frequently asked questions
What angle is best for a licence plate camera?
As close to head-on as possible. Vendor guides say to keep the horizontal angle within about 15 to 20 degrees.
How far away can a licence plate camera read plates?
One vendor quotes about 70 feet at tightest zoom. A longer lens extends the range.
Do I need infrared for night capture?
Yes. Infrared lighting helps the camera read plates in the dark.
Can a normal security camera read plates?
Only if it is aimed at the right angle with enough resolution and a fast shutter. A dedicated LPR camera is more reliable.
Is a 4K camera better for plates?
Resolution helps, but angle, shutter speed and lighting matter more. See our 4K camera guide.
Does Pixl install licence plate cameras?
Send photos of the gate to (587) 899-7495 and we tell you what is possible. Wired CCTV quotes are free.
Need plates captured at your gate?
Send photos and the lane width. We tell you what fits. Wired CCTV quotes are free, and you pay after the job.
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Sources and method. Digital Watchdog LPR installation guide and CCTV Camera Pros. These are vendor sources whose numbers differ, so test on site and follow your camera’s manual.
About Pixl Canada. Pixl Canada is an installation company based in Edmonton, Alberta, serving cities across Canada with TV mounting, security cameras, appliance installation and smart home setup. Call or text (587) 899-7495. Open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 7pm.