Free Parking stickers, does it matter where I put them on my prius?

[ecco22]

Hi, I'm embarrassed to say that I've had my HOV stickers for years and I haven't put them on my car. Wondering if I have to put them on the bumper in order to get free parking in LA. I wanted to put one somewhere more discreet, since I hate how they look. I'd appreciate anyone's feedback. Thanks!

[Godiva]

You need to put them at least approximately where the directions state. If you lost them, there might be some at the DMV website.

You have to put the smaller ones on the right side of the bumpers as you're facing the bumpers. The larger ones go on the rear "fenders" just behind the rear wheels.

Here in San Diego we don't have the many HOV lanes, but we do have freeway access lanes that are HOV. I use them to skip the lights or go to the front of the line to get on the freeway.

I'm surprised living in L.A. you haven't put them on your car yet. I'm not sure what the rules are regarding free parking in L.A., whether you have to have the stickers or not, but I do know not all areas of L.A. have the free parking, so check the maps for what areas are included in the free parking. If you do a search on Priuschat there was a long post about the free L.A. parking.

[bshef]

Here is a scan of the instructions I got with my stickers!
I'm amazed at how differently people interpret the instructions

[avocadoman1]

this was dated March 28, 2008

LA City Council Approves Free Parking For Hybrids

LOS ANGELES
Drivers with the state's Clean Air Vehicle decal on their hybrid cars will continue to be allowed to park for free at city meters under an ordinance unanimously approved Friday by the Los Angeles City Council.

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation implemented a program three years ago that allowed drivers with a Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Insight or Ford Escape Hybrid to park for free at city meters. The owners of those cars were not required to display a state decal that allows hybrid vehicles to be operated in carpool lanes on California freeways.
The new ordinance does require the decals for free meter-parking. The approved ordinance will extend the program until Jan. 1, 2011.

LADOT officials estimate that the program costs the city about $116,560 a year -- 0.56 percent of the total annual meter revenue.

[Boo]

Originally Posted by ecco22

Hi, I'm embarrassed to say that I've had my HOV stickers for years and I haven't put them on my car. Wondering if I have to put them on the bumper in order to get free parking in LA. I wanted to put one somewhere more discreet, since I hate how they look....

Nothing to be embarrassed about IMO.

I (and a lot of others) hate the way the California HOV stickers look too.

As another PriusChatter once said, "They are ugly as a $1 hooker!"

[Godiva]

Yeah, they're unattractive. But they also add about $2,000-$4,000 to the value of the car.

Make sure the meter you're parking at is City of Los Angeles and qualifies or you'll still get a ticket.

[mingoglia]

I'm glad in AZ we just get a special license plate. I hate putting stickers on my paint. The back window is okay, I hate the paint though.

[YoDaddyAlex]

ive seen some crazy places where people decide to place them. i wonder if they just throw out the instructions or do it for fun?