California Carpool Lane Stickers

[Swingshiftworker]

Bought my 2006 Prius on 6/12, paid for the car in full on 6/15 and recieved my plates on 6/22.

Already had Fastrak but, since I live in San Francisco, I also had to obtain proof of the Prius' registration w/Fastrak today 6/27. They issued me a new transponder that they said could only be used w/the Prius and charged me an extra $40 (which was applied to my account) to get it.

Am sending in the HOV sticker application to the DMV tomorrow and, based on the responses here and elsewhere, expect to get the stickers w/in a couple of weeks.

I'll let you know if that happens or not.

[darelldd]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swingshiftworker @ Jun 27 2006, 09:38 PM) [snapback]277889[/snapback]</div>

They issued me a new transponder that they said could only be used w/the Prius and charged me an extra $40 (which was applied to my account) to get it. [/b]

The transponders cost nothing. The $40 is simply credit toward any bridge tolls you incur. You don't need to pay ANYTHING extra if you just send in your old transponder, and swap it for the hybrid one. Adding another transponder to your account just increases the pre-paid credit that they require.

[kimgh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mssmith95 @ Jun 27 2006, 04:15 PM) [snapback]277661[/snapback]</div>

No, you MUST have your license number or they will most likley reject it (originally you could just write NEW in the space, but they changed that a few months back).

However, you can get your plate number very quickly if you contact the DMV person at the dealership and sweet talk them into running a DMV report using your VIN number. If you try to call the DMV, they will not list your plate number until almost the time you receive the plates (or even after in my case). However, the internal DMV report run by the dealer lists it almost immediatley. If you can not contact them directly, then go back and get your salesperson to help you with the DMV person...remember, getting the stickers was a big selling point for you and for them...so do not let them tell you it can not be done!

I do not know if you live in an are that requires a fast pass also (I think that they do in Orange County)...but if so, you need to do that as well...and fast as you are running out of time!

Good luck!
Yes, if you order personalized plates that may do the trick too, as they then have a plate number!

Yes, for now they are good until Jan 2008, but looks like that will most likely get extended...somewhere in a thread here they tell you which congress person to contact to push for the extension.

It only takes a few minutes to contact the dealer to get the plate number, so do not risk sending it without it. It took them 4+ weeks to reject my first one...luckily I was early enough that I did not have to worry about them running out, but you are getting close.
[/b]

I bought my Prius on 5/19/06. Sent in for the Fastrak transponder that same weekend, and got it the next week. Waited for license plates, which I received about 2 weeks later. Sent right in for the stickers, which arrived Monday (6/26/06). So, took about 6 weeks from the time I got the car till I got the stickers. My sticker # is 64xxx, so they are definitely getting close to the end.

There is a warning that the privilege expires in Jan 2008 unless the law is changed, and that it can be revoked at any time due to a determination that there is too much congestion in the diamond lanes.

So: if you're planning to get a Prius, you still have time (barely) to get the stickers, but time is running out quickly, so I wouldn't wait. If you are not in the SF Bay Area, you don't need Fastrak as a prereq, so it can go faster for you. We Bay Areans have an extra hurdle which makes our chances smaller.

[Neptune]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kimgh @ Jun 27 2006, 11:06 PM) [snapback]277925[/snapback]</div>

So: if you're planning to get a Prius, you still have time (barely) to get the stickers, but time is running out quickly, so I wouldn't wait. If you are not in the SF Bay Area, you don't need Fastrak as a prereq, so it can go faster for you. We Bay Areans have an extra hurdle which makes our chances smaller.
[/b]

Hi! First time posting here...please, go easy on me!

I'm also in San Jose, and about two weeks behind you. Definitely, the DMV will reject your app if you don't have plate numbers assigned. They confirmed this by telephone. Also, the plate number must be on the FasTrak paperwork as well. I decided to do the personalized plates as a seperate matter--when they arrive, I'll exchange them for the sequential plates that the DMV assigned. I think it's just easier to go that route, and does not tie the diamond lane sticker to the personalized plate schedule (which can be 8-12 weeks!)

My original app was rejected--but the dealer was great and ran my DMV paperwork to the office, so I had a plate number assigned within two weeks of driving off the lot. FasTrak was able to add my plate number to the account via telephone, and mailed new receipts (for the DMV) within one day. I've resubmitted my DMV app this week, so I'm thinking I'll just squeak in under the 75,000 mark. I got my car on June 9.

Yippee!!!

[San_Carlos_Jeff]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(EmptyG @ Jun 27 2006, 05:44 PM) [snapback]277624[/snapback]</div>

Thanks fellow San Diego Prius owner!! Heheh - see ya around town!


So....

You can only use these stcikers until 2008, correct? So you only have them useful for one year then they are just stickers on your car?

I want to make sure I am correct on this before I order. [/b]

Unless the law changes you are correct. 1.5 years of HOV access would be worth it to me, but if you don't use an HOV lane then you're probably better off leaving the stickers for someone else.

[rufaro]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jun 27 2006, 03:28 PM) [snapback]277620[/snapback]</div>

I think you can order with just the VIN number.

When I got my car I decided to splurge on custom plates. I paid for them online and when it was confirmed they had accepted it, I used that and the VIN number to order my decals.
[/b]

No--this means, to them, you had your plates. I still do not have my official plates from DMV, but I took my DP plates off my old car and had them disassociated from the Acura and reserved to me personally. I sent my application in with the DP plate number--which is still not officially associated with the Prius Vin, but they accepted it. (I had done the disassociation before I sent in the app the first time and it bounced--sent it back w/ the DP # and got the stickers, with the id card showing that license plate #.) I suspect, as they get closer to the limit, they are getting stricter.

[hybrid_batmobile]

HI--- I'm about to get my prius in the next couple of days and live in the South Bay Area. Does every bay area hybrid driver need a fast track thing to get the hov stickers, or is that only if you're in the direct sf area or already have one? (fyi: I have never used one and will most likely never will)

Thanks

[Rancid13]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mssmith95 @ Jun 27 2006, 07:47 PM) [snapback]277823[/snapback]</div>

Yes, upon further research I think you are right. I heard Fastrak so many times and figured it was Orange County, but it looks like it is only in the Bay Area.
[/b]

There is a FasTrack in Orange County, but you don't need to have one in order to get the carpool lane stickers here. The FasTrack transponders here work with the 73 & 241 Toll Roads and the 91 Express Toll Lanes.

I mailed in my HOV stickers application before I picked up my Prius~my dealer gave me the VIN so I filled out that portion of the application but put "New Vehicle" where it asks for your license plate #. I received my stickers ~6-7 weeks after I mailed in my application + check to the DMV.

[kimgh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hybrid_batmobile @ Jun 29 2006, 01:43 PM) [snapback]278779[/snapback]</div>

HI--- I'm about to get my prius in the next couple of days and live in the South Bay Area. Does every bay area hybrid driver need a fast track thing to get the hov stickers, or is that only if you're in the direct sf area or already have one? (fyi: I have never used one and will most likely never will)

Thanks
[/b]

Yes. you need FasTrak if you live anywhere in the Bay Area (including the South Bay) even if you will never use it to cross the bridges.

And: I had no trouble getting my stickers even though the license plate was NOT on my FasTrak paperwork.

[Lil Mo]

Fellow Prians:

For those who do not know it, you can find the form here on the State of California DMV site:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/decal.htm

Note

"If the Clean Air Vehicle is a hybrid and you are a resident of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano or Sonoma County, you must include an original receipt from Bay Area FasTrak as evidence of a "FasTrak" toll account. The FasTrak receipt must show evidence that a toll account was issued specifically to your hybrid vehicle. Do not submit evidence of pre-existing FasTrak accounts for other vehicles, as this will delay your application. Bay area applicants are advised to contact Bay Area FasTrak at 877-229-8655..."

Good luck and stay green!