By Kalvin Greer, Senior Product Manager, Permits and SpotBlock™

Change can be hard. Change can be uncomfortable. But it also opens the door to growth, innovation and progress. At Passport, we help cities embrace change every day by guiding their transition to the digital world. While the shift from physical hangtags to digital permits can feel daunting, it’s an opportunity to rethink outdated systems and create solutions that work better for everyone.

Good Enough Isn’t Always Good Enough

The phrase “Death to Hangtags” may be tongue-in-cheek, but it represents a simple truth: a piece of plastic on a rearview mirror is no longer the best way to verify parking rights. Today, the license plate is the gold standard for parking verification as it’s standardized, simple, and nearly impossible to forge. Moving to a license plate-based system eliminates the headaches of misplaced hangtags, unreadable permits, and manual errors that frustrate residents and enforcement officers alike.

Change Isn’t the Enemy – Stagnation Is

Imagine a town where leadership puts out an RFP for a new parking permit system. Why? Because problems like congested neighborhoods, fraudulent guest passes, and outdated processes are impacting daily lives.

But as discussions unfold, two groups emerge:

• The Traditionalists: Those who value the status quo because “it’s always worked.”
• The Trailblazers: Those who believe change and innovation will improve their community’s future. 

Traditionalists worry that change might disrupt what’s familiar, while Trailblazers see a future with streamlined parking, easier navigation, and more predictable access to spaces. A common concern from Traditionalists is, “It’s in our city code; there’s no way around it.” While this may seem like a roadblock, Passport offers flexible solutions to accommodate policy constraints.

Digital permits can easily incorporate temporary physical components, providing the visual verification enforcement officers rely on while cities work to update their codes. This stopgap solution allows cities to leverage license plate numbers (LPNs) for compliance and lay the foundation for fully digital systems over time. Passport recognizes that change, especially in government, takes time—and we’re here to help make the transition seamless.

The Benefits of a Digital Permit World

Transitioning to digital parking permits isn’t just about ditching those hangtags, but rather unlocking new opportunities:

• Better Data for City Planning: Digital permits provide powerful insights. Where are vehicles concentrated? Where should they be? This information can help city planners improve infrastructure, reduce congestion, and make smarter decisions for their communities.
• Streamlined Processes: Permit holders no longer need to wait for physical passes, deal with lost hangtags, or worry about permits that don’t fit on newer car models. A license plate-based system simplifies the process for everyone.
• Reduced Fraud: Digital permits are harder to manipulate, ensuring parking rights go to those who need them.

Beyond Hangtags: What’s Next?

The transition to digital permits is just the beginning. It challenges us to ask: What other areas of parking are holding us back from the digital age? From guest passes to compliance processes, there are many areas that cities can look to improve upon to create more efficient systems. Take Denver, for example: by moving to a rolling permit cycle, they streamlined the permitting process for their residents, offering a flexible and forward-thinking approach.

Change isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. By replacing outdated systems with smarter solutions, cities can build vibrant, forward-thinking communities worth investing in.