latest # of HOV stickers issued?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ari @ Sep 1 2006, 07:12 AM) [snapback]312704[/snapback]</div>

Everybody relax, CA AB2600 in on the governor's desk to extend HOV until 1/1/2011

AND AND ADD 10,000 more STICKERS! (Total 85,000)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mextaco1 @ Sep 6 2006, 02:00 PM) [snapback]315326[/snapback]</div>

It's great that they are extending it! Although, I am getting sick of being stuck behind SLOW Prius drivers in the carpool lane! Not sure if I want another 10,000 out there!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mextaco1 @ Sep 6 2006, 02:00 PM) [snapback]315326[/snapback]</div>

It's not signed yet, is it?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dragonfly @ Sep 7 2006, 03:00 PM) [snapback]315990[/snapback]</div>

I don't see it signed yet. I've read that there's a ton of bills on his desk and he's campaigning now.

Oh please let this be signed and enacted! I still have to get my plates, Fastrak, and application sent...

 

Have your dealer take your registration info in for you. They can do this directly at the DMV office and receive the plates instantly. If they extend it or not, it should not take more than 2 weeks even if they do it electronically. I had mine at the field office in 4 days!!! No extra cost!!!!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Erick @ Sep 7 2006, 02:46 PM) [snapback]315980[/snapback]</div>

You know, I've thought about the whole driving slow in the carpool lane (as a prius driver) and here's my take. (probably not the first to think this).

I feel that I'm already getting a super deal by getting 50+ mpg in a car that i get to drive in the carpool lane in (and thus avoid paying toll on bridges). Driving slower in the carpool lane may get me an extra 2-3mpg, but personally I don't think it's worth the hassle. It's hard for me to drive 60/65 since I'm more used to driving 80/85. On top of that I think it's kind of a courtesy to those in the carpool lane to drive at least 70/75 if you can (assuming the flow of traffic is at least that). That 2-3mpg only amounts to 20-30 extra miles per tank or maybe $2 or less at the current gas prices. I guess I feel that I'm already saving loads of money (probably $40-60/month) and time (hov lanes) so not getting the maximum mpg is okay - it's still a LOT better than I was doing before. And also, I'm not stressed about people tailing me cause I'm driving too slow - it's actually more relaxing to drive a little faster for me. I have found that I rarely hit 80 mph now and I don't remember ever hitting 85 in my prius, so I guess that's a good thing - at least I'm driving a little slower now.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(turtlebud @ Sep 7 2006, 09:56 PM) [snapback]316195[/snapback]</div>

Just as a note, you are still required to pay for toll on bridges even if you are driving in the carpool lane, at least in the Bay Area. Which is why you are required to have a FasTrack transponder if you live in the Bay Area counties.

http://www.bayareafastrak.org/static/info/...tructions.shtml

Check out FAQ question #1 at the bottom of the page.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dragonfly @ Sep 7 2006, 03:00 PM) [snapback]315990[/snapback]</div>

And it may not be. CalTrans is issuing a report recommending that no more stickers be issued, saying the HOV lanes have become clogged. He has dozens of bills on his desk from the end of the legislative session, so it may be a while before he either signs it or doesn't.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RMPLE @ Sep 8 2006, 10:35 AM) [snapback]316445[/snapback]</div>

I read a version of the bill that said the extension only applied to electric-only and natural gas vehicles, and not for hybrid cars (e.g., Prius). Is that true?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(turtlebud @ Sep 7 2006, 09:56 PM) [snapback]316195[/snapback]</div>

Your post cracked me up. I call the carpool lane my autobahn...it's the only time I ever get to drive fast in the Bay Area between 7 and 9 pm.

 

I got my stickers today...#74,0XX

Heres my timeline:

8/15 Bought Honda Civic from dealer
8/16 Mailed in application without lic. plate #...just to try!
8/21 Dealer took paperwork to DMV..did not get plates then, said would take a week
8/28 Dealer, person in charge of DMV paperwork, called me with licene plate number
8/28 Mailed (regular mail) form with licence plate number
9/1 Check Deposited (first check sent 8/16 with form WITHOUT lic plate #)
9/5 Stickers issued
9/8 Stickers received...#74,0XX

 

My check was cashed yesterday, 9/8 on the application I sent without the license plate number, so hopefully that means I was issued stickers? If they did run out already, I would assume they wouldn't cash the check. Here's my timeline...

8/17 - purchased car
8/22 - mailed (normal mail) application without license plate number (first I waited, thinking they wouldn't accept my application without the license plate number, then I decided to just send one in without it)
9/7 - called dealer for license plate number...they gave it to me and I filled out another application
9/8 - mailed application with license plate number and $8 check
9/9 - check showed up as cashed as of 9/8 on my online banking

Hope I get my stickers! It would seriously cut my commute time from about 90 minutes to about 45 minutes.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cmurphy_22 @ Sep 8 2006, 11:09 PM) [snapback]316864[/snapback]</div>

Here's mine:

7/19 Traded in my 04 White on 06 Seaside Pearl from dealer
8/15 Dealer called with my plate #; application and $8 check mailed
8/17 Plates arrived
8/21 Bank statement did not show check cashed
Today Stickers #73,4XX arrived; issued 8/30, postmarked 9/01

Stickers didn't look too bad against White - I may not stick them to the pretty Seaside Pearl.

 

Just received my stickers over the weekend.

Post marked 9/7/2006
Check cashed on 9/6/2006
Received on 9/9/2006
HOV sticker # 745xx

Getting close to the end.

 

My record keeping isn't perfect, but here goes:

1. Bought car on 7/30
2. Dealer advised me to get FasTrak ASAP, then after two weeks to mail in app for HOV stickers after I had the FasTrak receipt. He filled in the plate number with a temporary plate number provided on the sticker in the lower passenger side of windshield but warned me I MUST wait for two weeks or else it would be rejected.
3. Took awhile to get FasTrak actually (over 3 weeks), but finally on around 8/22 I had it and sent off the HOV app.
4. DMV cashed check on 09/06
5. I received stickers, number 74,9xx on 09/09.

So, looks like 75K is just about reached as of this week. I hope the governor signs the bill extending the stickers to another 10K drivers so more people can squeeze in.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pricoaster @ Sep 9 2006, 01:00 PM) [snapback]317058[/snapback]</div>

Update...received my stickers AND license plates today! To end my above timeline...

9/7 - Stickers issued
9/8 - Postmarked
9/11 - Received stickers #749xx

Could have used them today though...took 2 hours to drive to work this morning (distance of 42 miles) while the carpool lane was free flowing.

 

Just in under the wire. Here is my timeline:

Bought car on 08/21
Dealer went to DMV - plate number late on 08/22 (plates as well)
I went to FASTRAK on 08/22
US Express Mail on 08/23 with certified check
App in at DMV on 08/24
Stickers today 09/12

Number 749xx so down to the last hundred as reported by others. Good luck to all others and let's hope Arnie extends another 10,000 and sets timeline to 2011.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeff_canadian @ Sep 12 2006, 08:08 PM) [snapback]318752[/snapback]</div>

So mad! I bought my Prius on 7/15/2006 and because the dealer was SO SLOW in getting my paperwork submitted, I'm going to miss out on the carpool lane stickers, which is one of the main reasons I bought the car. Sucks!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(uclabruins @ Sep 12 2006, 09:31 PM) [snapback]318784[/snapback]</div>

You should have forced your dealer to get the plates for you. They can only do this fora cash deal. Anything with financing creates issues.