California License Plates + HOV Sticker

I myself have questions on how to get the HOV sticker. Do you have to apply or does it get sent with the plates?

 

Unless I'm mistaken, some dealers, like Diane at Carson Toyota, did the paperwork for the HOV stickers as soon as they had VINs and made stickers available when you took delivery.

 

I was told it takes up to 6 weeks to get the plates in CA. Last time though it only took two weeks when I was told 6 that time as well.

They are shipped usps of course.

Some dealers do have the ability to do the hov stickers at the time of purchase. Not sure the requirements for them.

 

I received my car last Friday (Nov 11) and my HOV stickers arrived in the mail last Thursday. April Conner, my sales rep at Tustin Toyota, had submitted the application for me.

 

People are saying that they are going to stop the green stickers when they expire in 1/19 because the carpool lanes are too crowded. Then, on the news this morning, the CHP said they estimate that 24% of the traffic in the carpool lanes in the Bay Area are there illegally. Seems they need to step up enforcement rather than let this program expire, if you ask me.

 

I have picked up my prime this morning. The finance person told me that I can proceed and send out my green sticker application before receiving my plate. Is this true?


In stead of the plate number, it's the red temporary numbers on the windshield. He was saying to put this number in top-left application and will work. Wondering if anyone agree?

iPhone ?

 

I expect we will hear future proposals in the next CA legislative session.
There will probably be another move to extend the program, one such attempt died last session but I suspect may be revived.
The one thing sure seems like a lot of folks want to kick the original PiP out of HOV as of 1/19.

 

So do we need to wait for the license plate in order to apply for the hov sticker?


iPhone ?

 

The answer is yes. I have found in the DMV website.


iPhone ?

 

How are some of the dealers able to stock up on stickers to give to owners as soon as they complete a purchase?

 

Not sure.. my dealer (finance guy) was telling me is ok to just send the application out (with the temp numbers on my windshield) but I was too afraid that my application will be rejected - End up taking longer to get my sticker.
The procedure in DMV website clearly stated "Yes" for the license plate number (under FAQ) so I have no idea how the dealer can get the sticker ahead of time. Maybe under-table deal with DMV???

By the way (just in my case), my finance guy at the dealer was not able to sell me anything in extended warranty or finance or other add on options like thief protection, color coat protection, and other. I can tell he was frustrated and maybe ended telling me all BS about the HOV application.

 

My dealer told me they can get the plate number ahead of time from the DMV in a few days.

You also need the plate number for the $1500 California rebate.

 

Just call the dealer. Answer is "no". They can't push the process and will not know the license plate numbers. Their job is to submit the doc and we will have to wait for it. Current waiting time is 3-4wks according to my dealer.
Suck...

iPhone ?

 

My delama is that I want a personalized plate on my prime. Do I have to 1.buy the car so I know the VIN number then 2. apply for the plate, then 3. apply the HOV sticker ? It looks like a very slow process though

 

I will recommend just get the default plate asap and get the hov sticker in highest priority.. or before the sticker run out.


iPhone ?

 

Hey, what happens if you drive across a Bay Area bridge, having no plates, and your FasTrak tag doesn't beep/register?

 

You get a free ride...

Due to the HOV toll lanes, I don't carry my fastrak with me. I haven't been bothered to get the new switchable transponders.

 

My two cents...back in 2006 when the yellow carpool stickers were running out, I called the DMV every few days to see if they could give me my plate number so that I could send in the sticker application before I received my plates. After a few days of calling, I did get my plate number over the phone and was able to submit the application before I got the plates in the mail. I want to say I got the stickers fairly quickly (maybe within a week?) and the plates maybe a day or two before.

I guess worth a shot for those of you who need it? I now commute 7 miles to work (vs 45 back in 2006 and mostly all freeway) and don't use the freeway, so I'll just submit my sticker application whenever I get my plates.