CA HOV Stickers

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pale Alien @ Aug 7 2006, 09:46 AM) [snapback]299076[/snapback]</div>

I am torn on this. I really want the stickers but I agree partially with Godfrey. There is an argument for both and I must say I am not going to lose sleep over getting them, please let me have made it in time, but I wont argue that there might be better initiatives for getting cars off the road. I think the more hybrids the better but we don't deserve anything more than anyone else just for the car we bought. I think that kind of attitude wriles up non Prius owners to say the negatives about the car and the car owners. We made a decision that we alone are responsible for, not the government. If you bought the car for the sticker alone then I feel for you because the way government works, easy come easy go...

I will say that calling the Prius a glorious Corolla is completely misleading. I have a Corolla also and I can tell you that they are not in the same league. It almost seems like you don't like the car and only got it for the sticker, just an assumption not an accusation. If you are in a car as much as I am then I would think many other things would come before, safety, comfort, GPS, etc...

 

I've said in the past that I think the clean-air sticker program is questionable public policy (mostly because it's designed to encourage sales of low-polluting hybrids, which are on chronic backorder anyway). But how about the public policy that allows single drivers to BUY their way into the carpool lane? That idea is totally morally bankrupt, IMHO. By comparison, hybrid owners have nothing to be ashamed of.

 

Fantastic News...

My DMV clerk has told us that the ceiling has been raised to 100,000 HOV Stickers at the California DMV. At this time I haven't been able to verify it with a outside news source but she is a perfectionist by nature.

How many new applications this might trickle into remain to be seen. Probably quite a few will go to people who applied at the last minute expecting to be rejected.

Good Luck Everybody!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(GreenFarmBoy @ Aug 7 2006, 12:32 PM) [snapback]299123[/snapback]</div>

I think you missed my point, and are unusually sensitive about the car. Getting the stickers is a viable benefit, and well worth it. They are part of a much broader trip reduction plan, driven by Cal ARB and local AQMDs. I didn't buy the car for the stickers. I'm just saying that there's no harm/guilt in having them.

As for my Corolla comment, please. Huh? What makes the Prius special is the hybrid system, and it's overall versatility and Toyota quality. Compared side by side, they have a lot in common. Safety? If it weren't for the OPTIONAL side curtain air bags, both get a Poor side impact rating. GPS... anybody can buy one after-market for much less. Back up camera? Yeah, aftermarket. It isn't faster than a Corolla. The total projected cost of ownership is generally considered less in a Corolla.

The Prius is not especially comfortable, nor is it overwhelmingly fun to to drive beyond the video game challenge of managing consumption. I bought mine for utility, MPG and the fact that it is the best of the hybrids out here. I love the car, and the decision I made in choosing it. I'm leaving a lesser footprint, and the car meets my needs.

Now, where are my stickers!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alnilam @ Aug 7 2006, 01:28 PM) [snapback]299156[/snapback]</div>

Well said!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(toyotaguyjeff @ Aug 7 2006, 03:46 PM) [snapback]299295[/snapback]</div>

I question how the California DMV is able to do what you say given that the 75,000-sticker limit is explicitly written into the law*. The DMV can't change the law; only the Legislature can do that.

* California Vehicle Code section 5205.5 (g)(1)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godfrey DiGiorgi @ Aug 6 2006, 07:42 PM) [snapback]298783[/snapback]</div>

I tend to agree. I have a bit of a problem with HOV lanes in general, but they are there so if the rules get flexible, so be it.

I have told people that I didn't think it is terribly fair for someone that can afford a new $25+K car to essentially buy their way into the diamond lane. What about the poor schlob that loves Al Gore and tries to be Mr. Green but can't afford a new car selling wheat grass shooters at Jamba Juice. Poor guy is stuck in traffic in what ever beater he can afford while those that have cash (or can afford $500 a month car payments) zoom by with a set of $8 yellow stickers.

I figure if I get my stickers, I am just going to wave at the guy and say, "Sorry dude, gotta get to work the best way I can."

 

Deposit made July 3 with 3 color and 2 option package choices
Car with 2nd color and first package choice delivered July 10 (while I was out of town - wife picked it up)
FasTrak application with VIN only was mailed July 15, transponder arrived July 20
Registration with ham radio plates removed from my old car cleared July 21
Sticker application mailed July 22, arrrived DMV July 24
August 8 my check cleared
August 11 sticker 69653 arrived
Yaaaay!!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ron L. @ Aug 8 2006, 06:29 AM) [snapback]299576[/snapback]</div>

Well, the check was cashed on August 5th. Now waiting for stickers.

For your reference: Mailed in application on July 21st with all of the required info (Including license plate #).

 

aww poor 06 people

oh fyver rules..haha
i think it was about a week wait for us for the sticker

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dragonfly @ Aug 6 2006, 05:47 PM) [snapback]298750[/snapback]</div>

Here is my timeline:

7/16 Bought Prius from Toyota dealer
7/24 received my license plate number
7/25 mailed my HOV application (certified mail)
7/26 HOV application received at DMV
8/9 Check Clears
8/7 Stickers issued
8/9 Stickers mailed from DMV
8/11 Stickers received number 696nn

Good luck!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(GreenFarmBoy @ Aug 7 2006, 12:12 PM) [snapback]299110[/snapback]</div>

Just for anyone who may have submitted without the plate number... there is still hope.

I used just the VIN, and received my stickers with no problems. I purchased on 7/14, the stickers were issued on 8/7, and I received them 8/10, #695XX. The only difference I can see, is that unlike other transactions I had, the dealer actually issued and mailed me the plates. With every other car I've purchased, the DMV mailed everything to me. I am speculating that by the time the DMV cleark reviewed my application, my plates had been assigned to the corresponding VIN#.

I don't know if it is typical for perhaps larger dealerships to handle issuing plates...

Good luck either way to all! :lol:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dragonfly @ Aug 6 2006, 05:47 PM) [snapback]298750[/snapback]</div>

Here is my timeline:

7/16 Bought Prius from Toyota dealer
7/24 Received my license plate number
7/25 Mailed my HOV application (certified mail)
7/26 HOV application received at DMV
8/9 Check Clears
8/9 Stickers mailed from DMV
8/11 Stickers received number 696nn

Good luck!

 

I just saw a new Prius this morning with no CA plate, only dealer new car advert plate and the HOV stickers. I sent my HOV app in with "new car no plate" and got the stickers about 1 week ahead of the plates (Jan 06). It can be done as long as you have a valid VIN. Maybe depends on the DMV clerk that handles it.

 

Here's something interesting... I just saw a 2007 Camry Hybrid with HOV stickers and I believe I saw an Accord Hybrid a few months ago with the stickers also. Is this a DMV mistake? Counterfit? Insider contacts? Any thoughts?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(naz @ Aug 16 2006, 12:07 PM) [snapback]304157[/snapback]</div>

You would think a DMV computer would "flag" ineligible vehicles. I saw a Hilander with one too.

I'm going to guess international terrorists on this one, or maybe Oakland Raider fans...

 

Well, finally got the stickers on Saturday, August 19th. Sticker # is 70,600... so we are definitely getting close to the end.

For those of you who do not want to look back through the log... I mailed the application with plate #s on July 21st. Check was cashed Aug 5th.

By the way, neighbor of mine just bought a USED 2005 Prius from a dealership... it already had the stickers, but no plates... just the dealer's paper adverstisement. So, going down the freeway you could mistake it as a new car with no plates but with stickers.

PS: the key reason he bought the car was just for the stickers ... and he almost paid full new price for the car...

 

Bought Prius 7/22
Sent HOV application 7/23
Returned 8/05 by DMV - VIN not in system. Application date stamped.
Plates arrived 8/20 Re-sent application same day.

Still waiting, of course......

2006 Blue, #8 package
Costal hitch
Toyota XM module

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Clarinetist @ Aug 25 2006, 04:25 PM) [snapback]309488[/snapback]</div>

You're IN if they cashed the check. Mine came less than a week after the check cashed. I'll bet you're are in the 71XXXs...