CA HOV Stickers

Well crapola. My application has been up for a week so I'm hoping they'll process it. My check hasn't cleared yet though

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alnilam @ Aug 4 2006, 08:19 AM) [snapback]297671[/snapback]</div>

How many of those applications were rejected? How many were for duplicates?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tatania @ Aug 4 2006, 11:16 AM) [snapback]297706[/snapback]</div>

I'm with you. Mine's been in for almost three weeks, with no check cashed. Supposedly, all applications are date-stamped, and in an official queue. With any luck, we'll get in under the wire.

There's also a nasty rumor going around that it is highly unlikely that they will either expand the program, or extend the existing privilege. Still, it would work through 2008 I believe. I'll take it...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pale Alien @ Aug 4 2006, 03:28 PM) [snapback]297925[/snapback]</div>

Did you have your license plate on your application?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(uclabruins @ Aug 4 2006, 05:35 PM) [snapback]297927[/snapback]</div>

No. I talked to several sources who said that they will do it with the VIN#. I know three people who had no problems. I now have my plates, and I'm half tempted to either call, or throw another application in...

My thought was that if I got in the line, they would probably find that my plates were issued, by the time they reviewed my sticker application.

Most people take about three to four weeks, with the check cashing late in the process. We'll see...

 

I didn't put my license plate on the application because I flied it the day I bought the car. I got mine about 3-4 weeks later. But in December, there was more of a shortage because they still had not received the full production supply of the '06 retool.

 

My problem was...I DID have my plates...DP from old car...But DMV will not just say, ok, you got yer plates, go in health. I sent in one app. with no plate #, got it bounced. Sent in the next one--before I got the official blessing from the <strike>pope</strike> DMV, with MY plate #....and got the stickers about 10 days later. Official plates about 3-4 weeks after that. Then spent several hours @ DMV office trying to give back the plates I never wanted in the first place, and having my DP plates reassigned to my VIN...after the several hours I spent a few days after coming home w/ the Pri and convincing them the old car, which was/is still mine, just needed different plates, and that the other plates needed to stay with ME...

Never mind...

CA DMV is the most dysfunctional DMV I have seen...and I have lived in/registered cars in Montreal, Massachusetts, Virginia, Rhode Island, New York...and I don't remember now where all else. Never ever ever ran into crap like this before.

Short answer...QUICK...apply for a personalized plate...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alnilam @ Aug 4 2006, 08:19 AM) [snapback]297671[/snapback]</div>

When do these HOV stickers expire?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(davidsf @ Aug 4 2006, 09:10 PM) [snapback]298111[/snapback]</div>

January 1, 2008, unless the law gets changed.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pale Alien @ Aug 4 2006, 02:28 PM) [snapback]297925[/snapback]</div>

I mailed out my application on July 21st - with all of the required information. As of this weekend, check has not been cashed yet.

Anybody else out there just had their check cashed, or submitted their application prior to that date?

 

I mailed out my 2nd application (after my first application was rejected since I didn't have my license plate #) on 7/21 priority mail and my check cleared my bank on 8/1. Still haven't received them in the mail yet....I'll give you an update when I get them.

 

7/26 - Bought prius with personal check
7/27 - Paid with cashier's check the next day (got back personal check which hadn't been deposited yet by dealer).
8/3 - Received plate number (phone call from Toyota)
8/3 - Mailed HOV sticker application, express mail, paid with money order
8/5 - Received actual plates in the mail

Waiting for stickers.

 

Personally, I'm philosophically opposed to the notion of the HOV "privileges" extended to drivers of high fuel economy cars. The notion of the HOV lane is to promote getting more people into fewer vehicles and promote higher vehicle/road use efficiency, not to reward people with economical cars. Cars with two-three people in them, or motorcycles with one-two people on board, are substantially more efficient than an economical car with only one person in it.

Whomever is listening is welcome to mine, if they so desire... I won't be applying for them.

Godfrey

 

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

Not just that. From http://www.governor.ca.gov/:
"HOV lanes are designed to reduce traffic congestion, fuel consumption and air pollution," Governor Davis said. "We can make even greater strides toward improving our air quality by allowing clean, gas efficient vehicles into our HOV system."

 

As I said, it's my personal take on the matter. Others with differing viewpoints are welcome too.

Godfrey

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godfrey DiGiorgi @ Aug 6 2006, 05:59 PM) [snapback]298811[/snapback]</div>

I guess that also means that you don't take credit for more than 2 children on your tax returns or take a tax deduction for the interest on the mortage on your 2nd home...

On a philosophical level, I agree with you Godfrey. But our society, after having a debate on the subject, decided to let some exceptionally efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles in the HOV lane. Once that decision was made, I believe we all have the right to take advantage of it... just as we all take advantage of other subsidies that we may not personally support.

The other point is that - as intended - this benefit promoted the sale and, hence, the further development of this type of technology... that benefit helps all of society - not just myself.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dragonfly @ Aug 6 2006, 08:00 PM) [snapback]298788[/snapback]</div>

Dragonfly has the right quote. Godfrey is welcome to his opinion, by all means. But, the HOV stickers do reward those who have made an investment that achives two of the three stated goals: fuel consumption and cleaner air.

The total number of hybrids with the stickers is a tiny fraction of both those eligible to ride in an HOV lane, and/or the total number of cars on the road.

Rideshare programs by in large have failed in attracting "customers." In Southern California, SCAQMD offers a wide assortment of options for "trip reduction," including one that allows employers to acheive an emissions offset, by purchasing and destroying old polluting vehicles.

In the end, the stickers are a pilot program. If they deem that hybrids are clogging the HOV lanes, they'll repeal it.

I'll take the sticker guilt-free baby. I paid enough extra for what is essentially a clean-air, albeit glorious Corolla.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alnilam @ Aug 4 2006, 08:23 PM) [snapback]298086[/snapback]</div>

I just talked to the ARB last friday, phone number given by DMV, and they said there are 4,000 stickers left. YOU DEFINITELY have to have your license plates to get one though. As mentioned on this forum you can ask your dealer to get them and they can have them overnight, if you have a nice dealer that will do the work with DMV. I was told that if I sent them last week I should be fine but they are definitely running out this month. I am a wee bit anal and sent them a copy of the reg in case they couldn't read my writing, that is why I like computers, and they said it should be fine regular mail but I Express Mailed them so I know they got it Friday. If you Express mail them make sure you check no signature needed, per instructions of the ARB support line. He said that they wouldn't sign for it but if you check the box no signature needed then the Post Office will sign. At least that is what I was told, who knows mine might be in return mail for some reason. Hey awesome car anyways...