Things to consider for license plate capture

The performance of a license plate recognition solution depends heavily on image quality. To achieve reliable results, it’s important to select a camera or kit that matches your installation requirements, including mounting height and distance to the vehicle. Detection accuracy is strongly influenced by camera placement, particularly mounting height, tilt angle, and distance to passing vehicles.

AXIS P1465-LE-3 License Plate Verifier Kit, mounted on a pole in an outdoor environment

AXIS P1485-LE Kit for freeflow traffic

Ideal for license plate recognition in freeflow traffic, such as city centers, access roads, and campuses, AXIS P1485-LE Kit can read license plates from 7-20 m (23-65 ft). For optimal license plate capture, the camera should be installed at heights between 3-10 m (10 -33 ft). In optimal conditions, AXIS License Plate Verifier can also detect vehicle type, make, model, and color.

P3265lve3 carpark entrance

P3285-LVE Kit for vehicle access control

Ideal for automated vehicle access control solutions in garages or parking lots, the vandal-resistant P3285-LVE Kit can read license plates from 2-7 m (7-23 ft). For optimal license plate capture, the camera should be installed at heights up to 3 m (10 ft). To avoid blinding the camera with strong light it’s recommended to mount the camera above the level of the car’s headlights. In optimal conditions, AXIS License Plate Verifier can also detect vehicle type, make, model, and color.

 

Illustration of how AXIS P1465-LE-3 read license plates from 7-20 m (23-65 ft). AXIS P1465-LE-3: 1. Mounting height 2. Capture distance 3. Vertical angle between the camera and the car.
AXIS dome camera with AXIS License Plate Verifier AXIS P3285-LVE Kit: 1. Mounting height. 2. Capture distance 3. Vertical angle between camera and the car.

Optimal capture distance

As a rule of thumb, the capture distance should be approximately twice the mounting height. This is achieved when both the horizontal and vertical angle between the camera and the car is less than 30°. It’s also recommended to minimize the angle between the camera and the travel direction of the car so the license plates can be viewed head on.

  • For AXIS P1485-LE Kit, the optimal camera angle is achieved when mounting the camera less than 10 m (33 ft) from the center of the lane.
  • For AXIS P3285-LVE Kit, the optimal camera angle is achieved when mounting the camera less than 2.5 m (8 ft) from the center of the lane.
horisontal view showing the optimal capture distance between the camera and the car (1) The distance from the center of the road determines (2) the angle between the camera and the direction the car is traveling. We recommend keeping the total angle below 30°.

The tables below show the recommended capture distances based on the cameras’ mounting height.

AXIS P1485-LE Kit
Camera mounting height:Capture distance:
3 m (10 ft)7 m (23 ft)
4 m (13 ft)10 m (33 ft)
6 m (20 ft)15 m (49 ft)
Max. 10 m (33 ft)20 m (65 ft)
AXIS P3285-LVE Kit
Camera mounting height:Capture distance:
1 m (3 ft)2 m (7 ft)
1.5 m (5 ft)3 m (10 ft)
2.5 m (8 ft)5 m (16 ft)
Max. 3 m (10 ft)7 m (23 ft)
Laptop with Axis white paper on the screen

More about license plate capture

Learn more about license plate capture.

laptop window with online manuals

How to install and use P1485-LE Kit

Read more about how to install and use AXIS P1465-LE-3.

Axis dome camera capturing license plate in garage

Learn more about the software
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