How to remove HOV stickers for return to CA DMV

I would think the shop who is painting your car could remove them. Otherwise, you might try a heat gun or hair dryer.

 

I would imagine that if the stickers are not in any shape to be returned to DMV, maybe you could take a couple photos and
send them in to DMV instead. Just an idea.

 

Hi Stealthgirl,

Welcome to the group waiting for the replacement stickers forever.

I submitted my application more than 4 months ago and was always told every time I called that the system issuing stickers is down and once the system is up I should get my stickers right away since my application is complete. But I was never given an date when it would be up.

Two weeks ago, I got a letter from DMV asking for the letter and remaining stickers. Before doing anything, I called them and was told the system is still down, which means that even I compile with the request, I still don't know how long it will take before I see the yellow thing.

If I were you, I'd send DMV the picture with your license plate in it and leave the remaining stickers on your car if you want to continue driving on carpool lanes while waiting. CHP hardly pull to check for the stickers, in your case, you still have some stickers on your car.

Please let the group know when you get the replacement ones. I will do the same.

Good luck!



BTW, I heard that one DMV official states that the stickers are designed so that if someone tries to remove it, they will be not be in one piece so even someone steals them, they can't put on their cars.

 

Before trading in my 2004 Prius for a 2006., I removed the stickers all around by simply peeling them off and then positioning then on the back of the DMV certificate (which I then mailed with the application). I cleaned the remaining glue with Windex and then some soap.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(The Annoying One @ Aug 30 2007, 10:33 PM) [snapback]504701[/snapback]</div>

Are you sure that you can get the replacement stickers for your new car? My understanding is that the stickers go with the car, not the owner.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hybrid2005 @ Aug 29 2007, 05:37 PM) [snapback]504001[/snapback]</div>

 

Hi.

Someone from our neighborhood (nice) went on a prius sticker stealing spree. They stole one from my car and one from a friend a few streets away. I filed a police report and then 4 days later found our stickers on a brand new prius! They were a little crumpled on the car and did have a faint "void" in little letters thro the sticker. (So much for the theory they don't come off in 1 piece). We got them back, but of course they will not reattach.

I sent in the "replacement form" a week ago to the dmv. Today I got back the check I sent in ($8) and a form telling me to attach a copy of the police report. (The police are sending it to me in the mail). By the way, I called the dmv prior to sending in the form, and they told me I did NOT need a copy of the police report! The dmv letter I got back in the mail also said to return all the other stickers in order to get replacements.

After reading the privious posts, there is no way I want to send in the stickers w/o knowing I will get them replaced and in a timely manner, or at alll?! I commute to downtown LA, (1 hour with stickers!) Now what?

So, just fyi, they want a copy of the police report, and the extra stickers. I am assuming that if you have body damage, they will want to see proof of that as well?

Anyone had an experience like this? I should have pressed charges against the kid (or the dad) who stole our stickers. (Felony, possesion of stolen property). Irritating.

 

They must be cracking down.

I didn't have to send anything it to get my replacement stickers. I had to have my bumper replaced. Of course there was an accident report and maybe the insurance filed something indicating the front bumper was being replaced. I don't know.

But the DMV didn't demand I peel off stickers and send them in, nor did they ask for any paperwork other than the form requesting replacement.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Sep 9 2007, 11:36 AM) [snapback]509571[/snapback]</div>

When did you send in the application, have you received the new ones and when?

Thanks.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Sep 9 2007, 11:36 AM) [snapback]509571[/snapback]</div>

They are cracking dow. I had to send in police report and another "verification of facts" (or something like this) form downloaded from the dmv website. They wanted all 4 stickers sent back to them as well.

I did not do that. I sent in the 1 damaged sticker, and police report, and waiting to see what happens next. Has anyone had luck recently getting replacemets quickly? They are worried about fraud. It has been 10 days since I resent in the forms...will keep you posted....thinking i am going to get a denial letter, asking for all 4 stickers? Whoever was waiting 4 mos...did you get yours yet?
thanks

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(The Annoying One @ Aug 30 2007, 08:33 PM) [snapback]504701[/snapback]</div>

Were you allowed to transfer the stickers? I am condsidering trading my '04 in whenever the 3rd gen arrives, and losing my stickers is really the big thing holding me back.

 

The most effective way to remove the residual "void" sticker after peeling off the top layer is to use a product called Goo Gone. It's commonly available in chain drugstores, hardware stores and supermarkets. It quickly removes the underlying sticker with little or no residue.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stealthgirl @ Oct 5 2007, 08:33 PM) [snapback]522070[/snapback]</div>

Glad you got them and that it only took 2 weeks! Yeah. Maybe they finally fixed the system!

 

Wow! I have to get replacements due to an accident (front stickers are OK) and now I am horrified to comply by sending in ALL of the stickers because I have no idea when I would get the replacements or AT ALL!!!

Maybe I should keep the unaffected stickers on the car and keep photocopies of the returned stickers in my car with photos and other documentation just in case I get pulled over.

Has anyone had experience with this lately? What did you do?

 

i recently transferred ownership and thus opted to transfer the HOV stickers into my name.
the official way to replace or transfer stickers is as follows:
- peel off all w/ hairdryer
- place in envelope w/ original certificate and DMV form w/ $8
- wait about 3-5 weeks
- they will eventually show up
- you will receive a new certificate and 4 stickers w/ new serial numbers. that is, your old sticker(s) and certificate will be void

what happened in my case...
- i called first and was able to speak to a rep
- she asked me if i had 4 stickers, i said "no, I have 3"
- she said that 4 were required by law so i needed to send in all the stickers that i had plus original certificate. she would return 4 new stickers w/ certificate

(you could lie on this one...mail in all but one sticker claiming that it was destroyed. keep one sticker on the rear of your Prius, keep a copy of the certificate in your glove box so that you could still use the HOV lane during the 3-5 week wait. if you did get pulled over, CHP would prob give you a pass if you told him you were waiting on new stickers and could show the completed application form.)

- i did as she asked, but first made a copy of the certificate and "scanned" two good stickers on a very high resolution scanner
- i then waited for the new stickers & new certificate w/ new serial numbers to arrive

(in the meantime, i printed out the stickers on high resolution paper and pasted on the vehicle in the required locations. no one knew differently during the 4 weeks and i continued to use the HOV lanes)

bottomline...it's a bureaucratic mess in sacramento and the sticker department is shared with other jobs.

 

Yes, if you're in an accident. they want proof of that: police report or repair report, etc. And ALL the stickers. It sucks that the wait is so long, but:

I would be cautious about driving around with only some of the stickers on. The CHP CAN cite you for this, according to the San Jose Mercury News' Mr. Roadshow. I don't know what the fine is, but it's probably comparable to that for being in the carpool lane illegally (since that is in fact the case: you're only legal with all 4 stickers and the supporting paperwork in the car).

When I had to remove mine, I used a hair dryer to soften the adhesive and the sticker came right off. I think a heat gun is overkill, unless you use the lowest setting possible; you don't want to burn your paint, after all!