HOV

davedog · 08-12-2005, 06:48 PM

I don't know what's going to happen to everyone who has submitted forms to the DMV without the proper FasTrak receipts. You can't just be a "regular edition" FasTrak user, you have to be a FasTrak HYBRID edition user, which means everyone in the bay area will need to get the receipts from their hybrid application before submitting forms to DMV/Sacramento.

I talked with FasTrak earlier today, and after waiting like 30 minutes to speak to someone, I learned it's loooong lines to go in to get your hybrid forms. [I talked to DMV a few times too on the phone, and the FasTrak wait is like 100x as long as DMV! crazy!]

Also, since I have a new Prius (purchased July 26), I don't have license plates/registration papers. Luckily with Hybrid-FasTrak I was told I could submit a "proof of sales" receipt from the purchase with my VIN instead. So I faxed over my FasTrak applicatoin and sales/VIN papers. The person on the phone said it would take 3-5 days, and add some shipping, so I'm guessing that'll be maybe maybe 1 week from today until I get FasTrak receipts.

But I'm not really in a rush since I don't have my license plates (they don't exist in the DMV computers yet, they looked it up each time I called for me, how nice). The Clean Air sticker form has to be submitted complete....

So I'm guessing... bay area residents who submitted non-hybrid-fastrak information will just be notified that they first need the hybrid fastrak edition. Hopefully they'll not charge another $8.

oh well, good news is my bluetooth phone should be coming in the mail today. it's actually not very exciting, with all of this HOV business.

kkister1492 · 08-12-2005, 07:12 PM

After we read the article in yesterday's Mercury News that indicated we would need to show proof of a FastTrack account, we went on line and established one right away. We printed out the receipt and mailed it in with the application. The news article didn't mention anything about the car needing to be inspected by DMV as previous information had it. I had my Prius inspected in January and have just been waiting for the right time. Anyway, I went ahead and mailed it along with the rest, just in case. But I hadn't read that there are 4 stickers to be placed on the car. My husband is gonna go bananas over that one. One is more than enough, I think.

davedog · 08-12-2005, 07:21 PM

yeah, they just updated the fastrak page to include a "hybrid edition" yesterday (11th). which is why i'd hope they'd not make a fuss about having fastrak "hybrid edition" on the forms you submit to the dmv (since no one knew there was such a thing on the 10th when the dmv forms came out).

ceric · 08-12-2005, 07:21 PM

Ok, davedog,
thanks for your input on this issue. It is important for bay area owners to know what to do.

I opened an REGULAR Fastrak account on 08/10 online, obtained printout of account overview etc. and submitted my application to DMV. I am one of the persons your mentioned.

On 08/11 I learned that a regular FasTrak trasponder is NOT what one needs, one needs a SPECIAL FasTrak transponder (not a special account - same account but different transponder!). Today 08/12, I took the BART to the customer service center in SF (near Fenny park) at 8am. There is NOT a long line (about 15 people) there. The process was friendly and quick. I got my transponder (which I did not get YET before I went there) reassigned to the SPECIAL kind and got the transponder, receipt, etc. ON THE SPOT!!!! I was on the phone with FasTrak person at 7am, he advised me to go in to their SF office to do this, so I did, and I am very happy to report that it is DONE!

At the office, 95% of people in the line are "hybrid people". We had a small hybrid gathering, talking about the policy, MPG and you-know-what. It was not boring at all, but my whole morning was wasted on this stupid requirement. I swear I am not going to use this transponder in at least 1 year. I will close it and return it as soon as I could....

Once I got the "receipt" (actuall a computer printout from their own computer - not a web printout), which shows your tag ID, license plat number, vehicle ID, name, address, etc. I resubmitted the application and $8 today AGAIN to DMV!

How about my previous application? I expect it to be returned with a rejection and my check back. No harm is done other than 37c of postage.

I advise people to go to SF directly and DON'T mail or fax the FasTrak form (even the special one for hybrids). The person on the phone told people (not just me) to go in directly. He said, no one is taking care of the forms and they are busy with the lines at the office already. Besides, you get your transponder and stuff ON THE SPOT. Not a bad deal at all.

Remember to bring your registeration (or a copy) when you go there. Ask me more questions if you got one.

Good luck.

davedog · 08-12-2005, 07:26 PM

oh thanks. hmm, maybe i will go in tomorrow morning. anyone up for a nice 5+mile jog on the beach after waiting in line together? (i am training for 2nd marathon).

kkister1492 · 08-12-2005, 07:46 PM

Well, that's the pits. I know that there was no mention of the special hybrid fastrack transponder on line or in the news article. We rarely use the bridges so the transponder will rarely be used so I don't care about that but if we need a special account just to get the stickers and not the one we opened yesterday..... 'sigh'

Guess I need to watch my mailbox for the application to be returned.

davedog · 08-12-2005, 07:58 PM

i just talked to dmv,

if you have hybrid edition fastrak receipts, you can apply for the hov stickers even if you don't know your license plate #.... good news... but i'm just doubting the validity of all this information i'm getting from diff ppl working at dmv/fastrak. i'm calling fastrak again now (on hold) to ask if it was ok that i faxed in my hybrid application with proof of sales (and no license plate #).

any other new hybrid owners in bay area thinking about this stuff?

davedog · 08-12-2005, 08:19 PM

ok, fastrak... fax it in = 10 business days.

going in = waiting in line forever.

i think i'll go in... at the crack of dawn. and jog afterwards

blahblahblah... too many hours spent not working. good friday!

ceric · 08-12-2005, 08:46 PM

kkister1492,
I think you didn't understand my post. There is no special account of FasTrak for hybrids. They have a special transponder for hybrids. Even if you have an account and need it for hybrids and applying for stickers, you NEED to exchange for special transponders. You don't need to modify your accounts, new or old.

Why a special transponder? because they want to charge hybrids on carpool lanes over bridges even though hybrids are allowed on carpool lanes. You still need to pay $3 while "regular" carpool vehicles (3 or more person) are free. Currently, there is NO transponder antenna over carpool lanes, Therefore, the special ones must be extra sensitive or something, I am not sure... If you have a hybrid with 3 or more people, you have to put your transponder in a Mylar bag to prevent it from being sensed and charged. I hope this is clear.

davedog,
I also mentioned in my post, I was in and out in less than 30 minutes. Definitely not FOREVER. At least it was faster than the last time I visited DMV....

kkister1492 · 08-12-2005, 09:07 PM

See, we didn't notice that there were special conditions for opening a FastTrack account for hybrids. We were able to open an account on line - no problem. But (as I have since discovered) for the hybrid, you need to bring in or mail/fax a copy of your auto registration as well. I think I'll now have to wait for the transponder to arrive and then mail it back in with a new application, etc.

So, I guess my stickers will be delayed. Maybe by then everyone will be argued out about the proper/legal/acceptable placement of the 4 ugly stickers.

08-12-2005, 06:48 PM	#1
davedog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Union City, CA USA Posts: 396 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	HOV - SF Bay Area I don't know what's going to happen to everyone who has submitted forms to the DMV without the proper FasTrak receipts. You can't just be a "regular edition" FasTrak user, you have to be a FasTrak HYBRID edition user, which means everyone in the bay area will need to get the receipts from their hybrid application before submitting forms to DMV/Sacramento. I talked with FasTrak earlier today, and after waiting like 30 minutes to speak to someone, I learned it's loooong lines to go in to get your hybrid forms. [I talked to DMV a few times too on the phone, and the FasTrak wait is like 100x as long as DMV! crazy!] Also, since I have a new Prius (purchased July 26), I don't have license plates/registration papers. Luckily with Hybrid-FasTrak I was told I could submit a "proof of sales" receipt from the purchase with my VIN instead. So I faxed over my FasTrak applicatoin and sales/VIN papers. The person on the phone said it would take 3-5 days, and add some shipping, so I'm guessing that'll be maybe maybe 1 week from today until I get FasTrak receipts. But I'm not really in a rush since I don't have my license plates (they don't exist in the DMV computers yet, they looked it up each time I called for me, how nice). The Clean Air sticker form has to be submitted complete.... So I'm guessing... bay area residents who submitted non-hybrid-fastrak information will just be notified that they first need the hybrid fastrak edition. Hopefully they'll not charge another $8. oh well, good news is my bluetooth phone should be coming in the mail today. it's actually not very exciting, with all of this HOV business.

08-12-2005, 07:12 PM	#2
kkister1492 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 354 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	After we read the article in yesterday's Mercury News that indicated we would need to show proof of a FastTrack account, we went on line and established one right away. We printed out the receipt and mailed it in with the application. The news article didn't mention anything about the car needing to be inspected by DMV as previous information had it. I had my Prius inspected in January and have just been waiting for the right time. Anyway, I went ahead and mailed it along with the rest, just in case. But I hadn't read that there are 4 stickers to be placed on the car. My husband is gonna go bananas over that one. One is more than enough, I think. __________________ 2005 Salsa Red Pkg BC (#6)

08-12-2005, 07:21 PM	#4
ceric Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 786 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Ok, davedog, thanks for your input on this issue. It is important for bay area owners to know what to do. I opened an REGULAR Fastrak account on 08/10 online, obtained printout of account overview etc. and submitted my application to DMV. I am one of the persons your mentioned. On 08/11 I learned that a regular FasTrak trasponder is NOT what one needs, one needs a SPECIAL FasTrak transponder (not a special account - same account but different transponder!). Today 08/12, I took the BART to the customer service center in SF (near Fenny park) at 8am. There is NOT a long line (about 15 people) there. The process was friendly and quick. I got my transponder (which I did not get YET before I went there) reassigned to the SPECIAL kind and got the transponder, receipt, etc. ON THE SPOT!!!! I was on the phone with FasTrak person at 7am, he advised me to go in to their SF office to do this, so I did, and I am very happy to report that it is DONE! At the office, 95% of people in the line are "hybrid people". We had a small hybrid gathering, talking about the policy, MPG and you-know-what. It was not boring at all, but my whole morning was wasted on this stupid requirement. I swear I am not going to use this transponder in at least 1 year. I will close it and return it as soon as I could.... Once I got the "receipt" (actuall a computer printout from their own computer - not a web printout), which shows your tag ID, license plat number, vehicle ID, name, address, etc. I resubmitted the application and $8 today AGAIN to DMV! How about my previous application? I expect it to be returned with a rejection and my check back. No harm is done other than 37c of postage. I advise people to go to SF directly and DON'T mail or fax the FasTrak form (even the special one for hybrids). The person on the phone told people (not just me) to go in directly. He said, no one is taking care of the forms and they are busy with the lines at the office already. Besides, you get your transponder and stuff ON THE SPOT. Not a bad deal at all. Remember to bring your registeration (or a copy) when you go there. Ask me more questions if you got one. Good luck. __________________ 2005' Tideland Prius (Dec, 2004) Life time MPG = 45+ Mods Done: body-side moldings, wood dash kit, rear bumper applique, ultrasound backup sensors, backup camera, signal mirrors, BT stiffening plate, 205/60R15 tires, leather-trim interior, all-weather mats Mods Planned: 16" or 17" light-alloy wheels, front strut-tower brace

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08-12-2005, 07:26 PM	#5
davedog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Union City, CA USA Posts: 396 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	oh thanks. hmm, maybe i will go in tomorrow morning. anyone up for a nice 5+mile jog on the beach after waiting in line together? (i am training for 2nd marathon).

08-12-2005, 07:46 PM	#6
kkister1492 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 354 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Well, that's the pits. I know that there was no mention of the special hybrid fastrack transponder on line or in the news article. We rarely use the bridges so the transponder will rarely be used so I don't care about that but if we need a special account just to get the stickers and not the one we opened yesterday..... 'sigh' Guess I need to watch my mailbox for the application to be returned.

08-12-2005, 07:58 PM	#7
davedog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Union City, CA USA Posts: 396 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	i just talked to dmv, if you have hybrid edition fastrak receipts, you can apply for the hov stickers even if you don't know your license plate #.... good news... but i'm just doubting the validity of all this information i'm getting from diff ppl working at dmv/fastrak. i'm calling fastrak again now (on hold) to ask if it was ok that i faxed in my hybrid application with proof of sales (and no license plate #). any other new hybrid owners in bay area thinking about this stuff?

08-12-2005, 08:19 PM	#8
davedog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Union City, CA USA Posts: 396 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	ok, fastrak... fax it in = 10 business days. going in = waiting in line forever. i think i'll go in... at the crack of dawn. and jog afterwards blahblahblah... too many hours spent not working. good friday!

08-12-2005, 08:46 PM	#9
ceric Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 786 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	kkister1492, I think you didn't understand my post. There is no special account of FasTrak for hybrids. They have a special transponder for hybrids. Even if you have an account and need it for hybrids and applying for stickers, you NEED to exchange for special transponders. You don't need to modify your accounts, new or old. Why a special transponder? because they want to charge hybrids on carpool lanes over bridges even though hybrids are allowed on carpool lanes. You still need to pay $3 while "regular" carpool vehicles (3 or more person) are free. Currently, there is NO transponder antenna over carpool lanes, Therefore, the special ones must be extra sensitive or something, I am not sure... If you have a hybrid with 3 or more people, you have to put your transponder in a Mylar bag to prevent it from being sensed and charged. I hope this is clear. davedog, I also mentioned in my post, I was in and out in less than 30 minutes. Definitely not FOREVER. At least it was faster than the last time I visited DMV....

08-12-2005, 09:07 PM	#10
kkister1492 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 354 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	See, we didn't notice that there were special conditions for opening a FastTrack account for hybrids. We were able to open an account on line - no problem. But (as I have since discovered) for the hybrid, you need to bring in or mail/fax a copy of your auto registration as well. I think I'll now have to wait for the transponder to arrive and then mail it back in with a new application, etc. So, I guess my stickers will be delayed. Maybe by then everyone will be argued out about the proper/legal/acceptable placement of the 4 ugly stickers.