I'm picking up a 2005 Prius tomorrow. I plan on using it in the HOV lane, but it doesn't have the Clean Pass stickers yet. I'm going to order them right away, but I'm wondering if anyone has an opinion as to whether or not I'll get stopped if I use the HOV lane without them. John
It is very unlikely that you will be pulled over since cops have learned, after about 5 years, that Priuses are HOV vehicles. There is still some chance. Live dangerously!
LOL. I think they are trained to check properly. I have seen Priuses with no stickers being pulled over. They may have gotten pulled over for other reasons. If you can afford the ticket, moving violation points and the insurance premium increase, go ahead and risk by all mean. BTW, it takes less than a week to get the sticker with free shipping (mail). You pay DMV no fee to get the sticker. When I started using the Clean Pass lane 4 years ago, I got pulled over once even with the sticker. As soon as I stopped, the cop apologized from the loud speaker that he did not see my sticker. I just took off cursing how much brake pad he made me burned. hahaha.
I was pulled over twice in my Prius even with HOV stickers and once in my Tercel when I had my 4 year old son in the back. Got to be a bore. By the way, you are right about it taking a week to get stickers, but you can't apply until you get your permanent registration in the mail, so I am still waiting to apply for my 2010 Prius stickers. By the way, it makes no sense to ticket you for not having stickers when you are obviously driving an HOV eligible car. Is this why they say "the law is an nice person?"
Damn, I guess I'll wait it out. It's going to be tough watching all the Prius zip by while I'm sitting in traffic.
Clean Pass program is only for NY residents. If your Prius has NJ or non-NY plates, you'll have to drive in the regular lanes. I agree with you that all qualify cars should be allowed regardless of where they are registered.
Nothing makes my day like taking a long commute back on the LIE and seeing a cop pull over someone who doesn't belong on the HOV lane. =D
Just applied for mine and I have been driving on the LIE for 20 years so an other week to wait it's not going to kill me. I will not always use the HOV since some times there is more traffic than the regular lanes but it's good to have the option when it's needed. The only drawback is the stickers are ugly as hell.
apostrophe27: I'm sure that you have gotten your Clean Pass stickers by now, but my brother-in-law is a Nassau County Highway Patrol Officer, and he tells me that any car (hybrid or not) traveling without Clean Pass stickers in the HOV lane of the LIE will be ticketed.
