Car Pool (HOV) sticker. When will they be issued again??

[BayAreaPrius1]

Anyone have info on when the next open application time will be for new Prius owners to get a set of HOV stickers?
I purchased my Prius in March and was told by the dealer that the CA Dept. of Transportation randomly decides when to release more stickers.
Through the DMV website I found the application page for the stickers and thought I'd try it anyway. I received a letter with my $8 check stapled to it stating California has reached the limit of 85,000 stickers, etc, etc...

I'm hoping someone has inside info on when I can apply again, so that I can get a set before they reach whatever limit the state decides to set next.
Thanks.

[Godiva]

Never.

They've reached the limit and are no longer issuing any. They are set to expire Jan. 2011 and there is no word on any extension, so even those that have them may not be able to use them after that date.

The only way to get a legitimate HOV sticker now is to own an all electric vehicle or one that runs on something like hydrogen or natural gas. They qualify for a silver instead of gold sticker.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by Godiva

...The only way to get a legitimate HOV sticker now is to own an all electric vehicle or one that runs on something like hydrogen or natural gas. They qualify for a silver instead of gold sticker.

Or, buy a used Prius (or Honda Civic Hybrid/Insight) that is equipped with CA DMV carpool stickers.

[kazots]

It would be great to have a sticker, but they sure are ugly.

[BayAreaPrius1]

Very true. And for that reason I was a bit apprehensive even about applying for the stickers. Wasn't sure it was worth having to put all those stickers all over my beautiful car.

[avocadoman1]

let me tell you...in L.A. traffic it is definitely worth putting up with the ugly look for the opportunity to travel in the car pool lanes.
and on Jan 2nd, 2011 I'll take those ugly stickers off and sit in traffic just like you.

[mattattack]

The application is readily available, but the only problem is if they're accepting them or not. I filled one out and sent it in and I just got my Prius about a month ago. If I don't hear from them, then I know they're definitely not accepting them. It's pretty stupid I think, that only 80K Priuses or Prii or Prius (however you would pluralize that) were allowed that HOV sticker when more than half a million have sold...and counting!!

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by mattattack

The application is readily available, but the only problem is if they're accepting them or not.

Perhaps you have not seen the following CA DMV webpage:
Clean Air Stickers - High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Usage

"The 85,000 Clean Air Vehicle Stickers (yellow) that VC §5205.5 allows for hybrid vehicles have been assigned. Original Clean Air Stickers will no longer be issued to hybrids; however, substitute stickers may be issued if the original is damaged."

The point of the carpool sticker program was to encourage motorists to purchase hgh mpg hybrids at a time when they were suspect and vaguely disreputable. Regarding Prius, I think that time has passed, don't you?

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by avocadoman1

let me tell you...in L.A. traffic it is definitely worth putting up with the ugly look for the opportunity to travel in the car pool lanes.
and on Jan 2nd, 2011 I'll take those ugly stickers off and sit in traffic just like you.

This sounds like a vote for public transportation. They sure did a good job with that in L.A.

Tom

[lalawhite]

hmmm... definitely no more stickers available and your dealer should have known that. I think the initial offering was for 75,000 stickers which they changed in 2006 to include an additional 10,000. It hasn't changed since than so your dealer should have known better! You had either a very shady or very ignorant dealer!