Background: In Arizona, there was a pilot program to issue 10k HOV plates to hybrid owners. The last of the 10k plates was issued in June of 2008, so the DMV isn't giving out any new plates. If you currently own a hybrid with an HOV plate, the DMV will allow you to transfer this to a new hybrid, but if you sell / trade your hybrid for a non-hybrid, the plate is surrendered to the DMV and lost forever. I've heard there is a loophole where you can actually sell the car and 'transfer' the plate to a new owner. I'm looking to confirm with someone who has actually done it and how it was done.
I found out there IS possibly a legal loophole!! If anyone out there still has the plate that sold their Prius or is willing to sell their plate and get a normal plate, please contact me! I am willing to pay $ There is a legal way to transfer it.
I will be selling my 06 Prius in 12-16 weeks depending upon delivery of a new Leaf. Vehicle is Magnetic Gray with Nav system, cloth seating. I would expect it to have about 90k when I'm ready to sell. It will have 10k left on the Toyota Platinum Warranty. Car has been serviced continually and has had all recall work done at this point. The major 90k service was done when I had it in last time. Call me if you are interested and can wait until my Leaf shows up... 602-758-2465
Any updates on this? I would like to sell the plate to the new owner and was wondering if anyone has heard it's true?
I understand the loophole is caught onto. Had a buddy trying it and had the blue tag confiscated during the transfer. This has now caused an argument over going through with the sale of the car with the seller.
I think AZ will follow CA's lead on dumping the program for ALL electric vehicle. It clearly states its an evaluation program also. I heard that the BLUE PLATES are available, just do no get the HOV tag(I could be wrong). If so..... just get the plate, no cop is going to stare down a Prius here in the HOV lane.
you cant get the plate, unless you have an alternate fuel car. Unless you buy one of the original plates with the HOV sticker, those can be transfered to new prius's. Anyone wanting to sell an HOV plate, I'll pay you GOOD money, cash at DMV!!
Resurrecting an old thread. I just picked up my 07 and will be going to DMV to register. I have the plate, the previous owner does not care if I kept it as he does not have a hybrid to transfer to. I am going to try like heck to get that plate and will report my results! Wish me luck! I have a 70 mile daily commute.
Well folks, as it turns out I was unsuccessful in retaining the HOV plate for use with my newly acquired Gen II. DMV was unwilling to budge despite me having a Plate Notice filled out from previous owner as well as a Plate Application. It sounds to me (and this is purely speculation) that that the Energy Efficiency Program was a mistake and 10,000 plates were too many. Clearly, they didn't expect hybrids to take off the way they did. So as a mitigation, the only way to transfer a plate is to a new vehicle. Plate remains with the owner always... unless you are transferring anything other than an energy efficient plate. This should dramatically reduce the amount of legal utilization of HOV lanes by single drivers. I did escalate and plead my case but they are programmed to answer like robots and are completely opposed to any outside of the box thinking. I understand process is process. Oh well, you win some and you lose some. I will be returning the plate to the previous owner.
We have a somewhat similar situation in VA...I think in VA you are allowed to transfer the golden oldy HOV plates only to your own new clean fuels vehicle.
I've successfully transferred the blue plate twice. I'm in the market to sell one of my blue plates. Is anybody still in the market for one?
I am in the market for a car to get the blue plate. Can you just sell me the plate if I go buy some used Toyota prius hybrid?