I just got the Prius Prime last month. Is it smarter to wait until 2020 to apply for the new color and get the extra 9 months before expiration, or should I just apply now? Does anyone have any insight on if they will limit it more next year, or if I wait I will not be eligible for the new sticker (if they have a new sticker)?
OK, I got some clarification. I was on the website, and it says the program will end 2025. So waiting until Jan 2020 to apply for the new sticker (sticker color TBD) is the smarter thing to do! I will be able to apply in Jan 2020, receive sticker after 8 weeks, and then have the sticker for a full 3 years and approx 10 months, compared to only 3 years and 2 months. Reference: Current Clean Air Vehicle Decal | California Air Resources Board
Unless you fall out of the program at application time due to the income requirements . Why not get value today if you can.
OP I think you can see the choice, and I would assume the choice will stand up (not expected to be taken away). Re: 2025 end of the program, I am not holding my breath. It has been resurrected 2 or 3 times already. Might be some changes at which point you can decide your strategy. The only people that got screwed last transition were a few Toyota Prime buyers that the darn dealers pre-applied old HOV stickers. That was huge unfairness to a few people. Lesson here, in 2025 do not take a car the dealer put a sticker on for you.
Haha, but the point is to get the new colored sticker (unannounced by the DMV yet.), so I want to wait to apply Jan 2020.
Hey guys. I purchased my prime in August 2019 and due to the short year I held off on getting the carpool sticker for 2019. Now that it is November, when is the optimal time to apply for the carpool sticker so that it can start Jan 2020? Would it be best to apply late December or Jan 2020? How long does it usually take? Thanks.
Took about 6 weeks for mine to arrive. But they are $22, and the half price bridge tolls have already paid the sticker off. I’d not wait if there is financial gain to be had.
I would send it in early December and date it Jan, 1, 2020. It takes about 3-6 weeks for them to process the paperwork. This way you can get the new sticker. Why get it a month earlier to lose a year with the red stickers.
I think the income requirements come into play for the rebate and not the eligibility of the stickers. Here’s the website you can look at for more info: Clean Air Vehicle Decals - High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Usage I’ve already gotten back the cost of the stickers in hard spend as well as time saved. Good luck .
I'd like to know also what dictates 'when we apply'? Is it the date stamp on the envelope or when someone actually processes it? Seeing that it's taking 6-8 weeks for people to get theirs after sending it in, does it makes sense to send it in in early to mid December, so that hopefully we can get the new color sticker in early Jan or Feb? As opposed to March.
this is what I am wondering as well. if I were to apply in December will they give me a 2019 sticker? is it best to apply in January 2020 so that there is a guarantee you will get a 2020 sticker?
Are they changing a color or expiration starting in 2020? I’d just get it and use it for the 3 years.
I guess I assumed from what I read next year was a new color and will expire in 1/1/2024. There's no guarantee of that, and they can continue the purple color, is that right? Anyone know officially?
The sticker is such a great benefit, I applied for it right away. Before the Prime, I was paying $3-8 per trip to use the express lanes here in San Diego. I can't get the sticker fast enough!
