latest # of HOV stickers issued?

We bought a 2005 Prius on June 16. After having read several posts on this and another forum, it was evident that the license plate was a key factor in getting the stickers issued. Since we knew that the cut-off of 75,000 stickers was near, we decided to look for a used Prius that already had a CA license plate on it. All we'd have to do then is get an additional Fas Trak transponder and we'd be set, right? NOT! The real key is that the vehicle has to be registered in your name.

Here's how things went for us...

June 16 - bought 2005 Prius, with a CA plate on it
June 19 - stopped by the Fas Trak office at 7 a.m., got transponder & receipt within 10 minutes
June 19 - mailed everything to Sacramento
July 7 - got everything back from Sacramento with note to wait until we had registration in our name
July 10 - called dealership to inquire when they sent stuff to DMV. Was told they HADN'T yet! Yikes!
July 17 - rec'd fax from dealership showing the registration form in our name
July 17 - mailed everything to Sacramento again
July 29 - rec'd stickers from Sacramento, #688xx

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(djmarcin @ Jul 30 2006, 02:02 PM) [snapback]294728[/snapback]</div>

I didn't want to trust the mail and besides, I hadn't been to the city in a number of years.

If you go to the office in SF you get the stuff you need on the spot. Just did it Sat. In and out in <10 min. Check the Fastrack website for address and hours. (www.bayareafastrak.org)

Stickers are required in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano & Sonoma. (from Clean Air application). They are required even if you may nevern use them. Lucky Us :angry: .

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bulldog @ Jul 30 2006, 08:07 PM) [snapback]294857[/snapback]</div>

I got this idea from another post (possibly earlier in this topic) and it worked.

You can also call your salesperson at teh dealer where you bought your car. The dealer can run a DMV report which will give your Plate #. The sales person should help you in this process.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Stan57 @ Jul 30 2006, 08:52 PM) [snapback]294886[/snapback]</div>

Not to be smarta**, but the TRANSPONDERS are what is REQUIRED in the Bay Area counties IF you want the stickers. You absolutely do not HAVE to get the stickers AT ALL if you never plan on driving solo in HOV lanes, but you CANNOT get the stickers without the transponder...the special Hybrid-specific transponder that cannot be used for other cars.

If you don't want the stickers, you don't need the transponder. If you don't want the stickers, you can use whatever transponder (i.e., if you have 1 transponder for any car already, you can just register your plate number with that account and swap the transponder back and forth).

 

I sent my application and the DMV returned it about 5 weeks later saying that I needed to send a copy of my registration card. The application makes no mention of that requirement. The double banger is these bureaucratic fools at the DMV should already have a copy of my registration considering they are the ones issuing them! Why does everyone want to be spoon fed?

 

Did you have your license plate number on the application, along with the Vin, your $8 check or money order? These are all required. If you did have all this, I agree with you. As long as the application was filled out properly, i.e., no errors in vin or plate number. Sometimes people confuse an O for a 0 (zero). Keep this in mind when you send it again, you can send it priority, this also helps. JW

 

I'm wondering what will happen to mine. I mailed mine a week ago (registered mail) and got the receipt it's been received.

I put the VIN number on the application and my old license plate # since it's a personalized plate and I'm keeping the same plate. My luck they'll show that plate on my old SUV still

When I called them and asked them about proof of registration (in response to someone's post above) they told me they do not need that as they have all that information on file. They just want the form, and check or money order for the $8.

All of the envelopes received are time stamped in order received and worked on that way. But it sure seems like there is a break down somewhere up there.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bulldog @ Jul 30 2006, 07:07 PM) [snapback]294857[/snapback]</div>

The DMV phone number is (800) 777-0133. They get a few calls a day requesting the new plate numbers for Toyota Prius's. Just make sure you have your VIN # available.

Called 7/17/06 got licence plate #
Mailed 7/17/06 for sticker
7/31/06 still waiting, but should be early this week....

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Chicoman @ Jul 31 2006, 02:04 PM) [snapback]295322[/snapback]</div>

Darn, I just called the DMV and no plate assigned yet. I bought the car on 7/15/2006.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Stan57 @ Jul 30 2006, 08:52 PM) [snapback]294886[/snapback]</div>

I live in Santa Barbara and am about to buy a new Prius. I understand that I can send in an application to the DMV for car pool lane stickers once I get my license plate #. I do not need to get a Fastrack *first* because my address is not in one of the above counties. This would seem to be an advantage because time is of the essence before we hit 75,000 car pool lane stickers issued.

Here's the catch: I will be living in the San Francisco Bay Area beginning in the fall. I want to be able to use the car pool lane on the bridges. I will obviously need a Fastrack transponder. Now I'm seeing that there are two types of transponders, regular and hybrid. My question is: If I register/license my new Prius down here in Santa Barbara now and get car pool lane stickers issued to my permanent address down here, will I still be able to get a Fastrack transponder for use in the SF Bay Area? Will I still be able to get a hybrid transponder if I did not get it prior to my car pool lane stickers? If not, i.e. it's a regular transponder, will I have a problem with crossing the bridges in the car pool lane?

Thanks, in advance, for any advice.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(vallelunga @ Aug 1 2006, 11:14 PM) [snapback]296125[/snapback]</div>

Near as I could tell when we were doing that dance...and already had two regular transponders...it is no biggie to trade. But you WILL have to trade it...unless FasTrak just automatically issues "special" transponders to hybrids...My hybrid-related transponders has a sticky dot in 2 corners, which is the only way we can tell the difference. We were offered the option of just trading in one of the old ones, but we kept it for the kid's car. ONLY because of the $1 discount on the otherwise $5 toll on the Golden Gate Bridge, which was why we had any at all to start with...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rufaro @ Aug 2 2006, 12:17 AM) [snapback]296141[/snapback]</div>

Thanks so much for the reply, WeePriQueen!

So it's no biggie to arrive in the SF Bay Area with a hybrid car that already has car pool lane stickers and obtain a FasTrak?

That's great news. I just might make it before the 75,000th sticker is issued!

 

Just got this email from California Assembly Member Fran Pavley:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(exhuman @ Aug 2 2006, 12:17 PM) [snapback]296383[/snapback]</div>

Just spoke somebody from the special processing unit. Apparently applications have really tailed down. She says that issuances are down to a couple hundred per month--and that she doesn't expect issuance to stop until X-mas....not sure how to interpret this info given all the other data points out there. She said that they've issued 68,000 stickers thus far which is consistent with what is being reported--but like I said she says that only a couple hundred are being issued per month....

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dhu @ Aug 2 2006, 01:19 PM) [snapback]296508[/snapback]</div>

Well that is good news!! Maybe I will be able to get my stickers in time. How many vehicles that qualify has actually been sold in the country? Isn't there something like 200k Prii in the whole of the US? So maybe everybody who wanted one in CA already got one and it is only new sales now??

I bought my Prius in Las Vegas at Findlay Toyota rom Robert Anderson, since none of the Bay Area dealers could get me one with the colors and options I was looking for. Super service as I got my papers to reguster a lot sooner than expected.

Bought 22 July
Got paperwork from Dealer via DHL 1 August
Went to DMV registered Prius and got my plates 2 August (took all of 45 minutes from when I walked in with no appointment)
Faxed Fastrak application in 2 August

Hope they get back to me soon. I'm annoyed that I even have to apply for Fastrak as it slows my process down, and I never use the bridges in the Bay Area :angry:

 

Just got my stickers today...times about the same as reported by others recently. Sticker number is in the 68.8k range

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(vallelunga @ Aug 2 2006, 08:33 AM) [snapback]296298[/snapback]</div>

De nada...Feel free to call me Wee....oh never mind...

You got the stickers...the transponder is NOT a problem...just MAY require a leetle bit of effort on your part once you come up north...but you ARE otherwise set. You have the stickers and it is ONLY in the Bay Area counties that transponders are a prerequisite...as far as I know (and I DO know that if anyone out there knows otherwise, we WILL be told). BUT--the FasTrak folks did take some extra time to tell me that my OTHER two transponders would NOT be legit in the Pri. OTOH, the main reason for that, as I understand it, ist that many (most?) bridges in the Bay Area have FasTrak/carpool lanes that would otherwise get confused if you used them w/out a full passenger contingent during rushhours...well, whatever...like that...

I don't think I have tried to cross any Bay Area bridge in the 14 years I have been here at all during carpool hours when I have not had the requisite # of people in the car...so what the hell do I know?

NO...really...You got stickers AND transponder? Just check w/ fastrak if they want to swap transponders or just do an address change...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bulldog @ Aug 2 2006, 05:20 PM) [snapback]296650[/snapback]</div>

Hey Bulldog -- you're on your way! Hope the FasTrak people respond soon.

I have a few questions re: your out-of-state buying experience...
Your posting says that you bought on 22 July. When did you take possession of the car? Did you pay them to ship it to you, or go pick it up yourself? Did you save money on sales tax since you're a CA resident? And lastly, are there any CA tax credits that you had to give up (perhaps it only matters where you live, not where you buy).

I'm about to make a purchase, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

Just got mine !

Less than a 2 week turnaround, no 686xx

Certainly made my trip to LA this week much easier being able to ride the car pool lane.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SkiTyke @ Jul 28 2006, 09:59 PM) [snapback]294185[/snapback]</div>

My dates are very similar to SkiTyke's, up to the personal check being cleared on 7/24. I keep checking my mail religiously every day and but I still haven't received my sticker! Anyone think I have reason to be concerned? Or if the DMV has cashed the check I can pretty much assume I'm getting my stickers?