How to remove HOV stickers for return to CA DMV

You WILL get a denial letter and be asked to send in the remaining stickers. And probably end up several places behind in the queue, unfortunately.

When I went through this last October, I filed for the replacements by the end of Oct, and finally had the stickers in hand during the Christmas break. This included a turn-around requesting the fourth sticker (I had sent the 3 damaged ones only the first time). Sounds like wait times are even longer now than last year. Bummer!

 

Transferring stickers to a new car is not supposed to be legal, as far as I know. Has this changed?

 

From what I understand from this post is that he bought a car from someone else with the stickers already on, however the sticker certificate was in the previous owner's name. In order to transfer ownership of the certificate (and stickers) to the new owner's name, he had to send in the old stickers.

So, same car, replacement stickers and new certificate in new owner's name. Stickers did not move to a different car. One car, new stickers.

 

I say screw it in trying to remove the stickers. Just cover them, and repaint.

 

OK, that makes more sense. Guess it was late last night and I was not processing too well!

 

I have seen 2 brand new prii driving around the los angeles area with carpool stickers. Unfortunately all on the street, I would love to see them in a parking lot and ask them how on earth they got them and if they realize it is illegal

 

what she said...

stickers stay w/ the car. if you total the car, stickers are gone forever, nobody gets em'.

i didn't need to transfer the name on the certificate (at least i don't think that there's a requirement to do so), but did anyway.

now...new stickers & certificate in my name w/ new serial numbers.

but, the point fo the story is "how do you still use the HOV lane while you're waiting for the DMV to send you the new stickers?"
i tried to answer that.

 

Sent in for replacement stickers six weeks and nothing! They cashed my check, and I sent in all the required forms and the old stickers (was rear ended and had to replace bumper). How long have people been waiting?

 

previously stated posting...
up to 4-6 weeks.
did you include the original certificate as well???
if so, you should call and call and call until you get thru to somebody.
maybe they can track down your file.
they are overstaffed and overpaid in Sacramento, yet find a way to get absolutely nothing done.

 

Just got off phone (916-657-8035) with Sacramento DMV and was told it takes at least 90 days to get replacement stickers from the "special processing unit". I sent in all the correct paperwork (reg 1000, reg 256, collision repair invoice, copy of clean air certificate, 4 stickers, and $8).

 

that is a bummer, and the problem with the current system. remember we only have until Jan-2011 (the currently scheduled cut-off date)...
like i've recommended before for those in this situation:
- scan two clean stickers (one big and one small)
- copy the HOV forms and certificate
- print out on high quality paper
- place copies of stickers onto vehicle in the proper location (i put clear packing tape over them and then glued)
- continue to use the HOV lanes

if pulled over, you've got a great story to tell the officer. he'll probably let you go as you have all the required paperwork.

i did it that way for 4 weeks and it worked out fine.

 

I had to have the rear bumper replaced on my 2003 Prius - and was prepared to submit forms for replacement of the one sticker that is on the rear bumper. I had some additional minor work to be done on the rear passenger side quarter panel near the bumper and the shop said that would effect a 2nd sticker BUT they had 'pretty good' success at removing/replacing the stickers....and as it turned out both are still there and look fine - one on the replacement bumper, and one still on the rear passenger quarter panel.
.
good shop, good prices, good work - and no hassle trying to replace stickers!
Progressive Collision, San Jose, CA
.
RickJ

 

Why not just scan them and print out as many as you want.
Bumper sticker printing paper is readily available.

Illegal? Well ... yeah ... but ... um ... possible.

 

I have never been so shocked by the actions of a government agency as I am today.

Unbelievable!!




Someone rear-ended my Prius, so I needed replacement stickers post-repair of my rear bumper.

Check out my timeline:

9/24/08 Wed: Dropped off my car with the body shop & removed old stickers. Mailed in my application to CA DMV

10/1/08 Wed: Received replacement stickers!!! I literally just picked up my car from the body shop, came home and they were in my mailbox!

That's exactly ONE WEEK turnaround! Way to go CA DMV!

Maybe I'm just lucky -- but based on the other comments in this thread, I included the following items to try to cover all bases:
1. REG1000 form (replacement stickers)
2. REG256 form (statement of facts)
3. all four old stickers removed from vehicle (included the one from the front too even though it wasn't damaged)
4. old Clean Air Sticker Certificate (original)
5. copy of estimate from body shop for repair work
6. personal check for $8

Also note that remembering some of the chatter back when I first applied for the stickers, I sent it regular USPS mail rather than certified mail (I recall talk that certified mail to the DMV got re-routed somehow and slowed the process down).

Thanks all for the collective tips on what to include with the application. I definitely would not have thought to include items #4 and #5. Did that help? Don't know... but one week turnaround rocks, so better safe than sorry!

 

Well, just wrecked the back side of my Prius. Here's to hoping they can fix it and I can get the stickers going. Better call the shop on Monday and make sure they pull those off and save them for me.

 

Let us know how long it took...
My bumper is messed up also...

 

How long did it take anyone to get replacements?

 

All Clean Air Vehicle stickers will expire January 1, 2011

 

If I had an electric car, I think I would not be happy either...

 

I think I might be in the same situation as you were when you bought your used Prius.

I purchased a used 2006 with 3 HOV stickers. The one on the front driver side bumper was missing. The rear passenger side bumper sticker is also badly damaged (its missing some of the middle portion). I am going to transfer the stickers into my wife's name and ask for replacements using the reg1000 form.

Did you have to send in 2 reg1000 forms, one to transfer the stickers in your name and one to request the replacement stickers? I see on the form that you can only check one box for "I am requesting".