"Free parking" in LA City may cost $35!

It looks as though the program is going to be extended. Don't know if it is in effect at this moment.

http://clkrep.lacity.org/councilfiles/04-1...dot_5-31-05.pdf

 

I had heard the program was to expire at the end of May. I just found and article saying now it is good until the end of june.

http://www.lacity.org/ladot/dotpk3a.htm

Parking is not free at LAX even in the meters.

Free Parking Info

Free Parking for Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) and Super Low Emission Vehicles (SULEVs) - Pilot Program

If you own a Zero Emission Vehicle or Super Low Emission Vehicle as defined by the California Air Resources Board, you may purchase a California Clean Air Vehicle Decal from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Once you have purchased and affixed the decal to your vehicle per DMV instructions, you can park without depositing coins at on- and off-street metered parking spaces throughout the City of Los Angeles (however, you remain subject to the posted time limit restrictions and other higher order parking restrictions like Tow Away and Street Cleaning.)

On October 1, 2004, participation in this free metered parking program was extended to four hybrid vehicle models: the Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid, Toyota Prius, and the Ford Escape Hybrid. The pilot program for hybrid vehciles is due to expire at midnight on June 30, 2005.


To find out if your vehicle qualifies, click here: www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/carpool/carpool.htm

To find out how to obtain a California Clean Air Vehicle Decal, click here: www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/decal.htm

 

I believe the link in Jaguar88's is out of date. I wrote to Council Member Eric Garcetti and just received a reply from him:

"Glad to hear from a fellow hybrid driver! I'm happy to report that the pilot program has been extended for another 9 months, until March of 2006. Of course, the time limit at the meters still applies (as it always has)."

So it looks like we're good to go (and stop).

 

So, do you need a decal to take advantage of the program? Anyone have a current link? Thanks.

 

Sorry...I'm just trying to figure this out...

So hybrids can park free in the City of LA.
The decals are for driving in the carpool lane for qualified vehicles. At this time, the Prius is not qualified. Is this correct?

Or how are you getting decals? The link above is outdated and at the DMV link, hybrids are not included...yet.

Thanks.

 

Yes, parking is free in L.A. and does not need anything. Decals will be needed if and when the HOV exemption goes through. The senate passed it but Bush is saying he'll veto. If they override and it goes through, this site will be full of links to get a decal. So just hold on for a few more weeks.

 

LADOT now has a webpage up stating the free parking program is good until June 30, 2006! We get another full year of free parking!

http://www.lacity.org/ladot/freepark.htm

Now we have something official to print out.

 

Hmm... I'm interested in free parking, but the site says:

Caution: Hybrid vehicles which use gas and electricity do not qualify for the decals.

So can we or can we not free ride parking meters?

 

Hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Prius can park for free in the city of LA, but you cannot get the decals which are issued by the state of California. You may want to print out the lacity link in Aly's post above and leave it in a conspicous place on your car, because Prius Drivers have been issued tickets. If you get a ticket and fight the ticket you will win.

 

The decals the article is talking about are for the carpool lanes which we don't currentlt qualify for.

The free parking is for any hybrid vehicle.

 

Thanks for the clarification. I printed a few copies of the LADOT page and will highlight "TOYOTA PRIUS" so the parking guy won't ticket me.

However, I cannot park in LAX meters for free right?

 

I'm not sure about LAX meters. That might be OK. But you definitely can't park in LAX parking structures for free - that only applies to electric vehicles.