latest # of HOV stickers issued?

Looks like we're in the same boat here. It's only been 22 days since my check cleared (2/27)...but I panicked last week and mailed out a 2nd application + check to them. After all, it is only $8.

 

I got some reps who told me various dates. Someone from the ARB told me to wait 8 weeks AFTER my check is cleared (maybe to give the dmv time to find my sticker behind the water cooler or under someone's desk?). I think the date you should remember is 30 days after your check is cashed (this is the date I get from most people). After that, call the DMV with your cancelled check ready to fax.

 

Oh yeah, get this:

Purchased vehicle: 2/25/06
Mailed application: 2/27/06
Check cashed: never

3/21/06: Received return of application, check and note "Please reapply when you get your vehicle license number"

No wonder why the DMV is so inefficient and it takes forever to get anything done...AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGG

 

DMV is totally out of control..... :lol:

 

Did they ask for your license plate number, or the VIN?? If it's a new car, one wouldn't have a license plate number yet-in that space I wrote "New Vehicle" but did include my VIN and never got anything returned to me. I just got my plates on Monday. I really hope my stickers aren't too far behind them.

 

I had my VIN on the sticker but they rejected it without my license plate number. I immediately threw another application in the mail. I'll see if that one clears. If not, as soon as I get my license plate number, I'll throw another application in the mail. I want to make sure I get my stickers. If they keep an extra $8, I can live with that.

 

It appears that the DMV may have changed their policy on these...as I just had the exact same experience.

I followed what everyone else in this thread did.

Purchased car 2/24
Mailed application 2/27
Called and called DMV starting 3/20
Today (3/24) they said that my car still was not registered to me!
Called Dealer - they said they processed final paperwork on 3/13

and...of course

TODAY - RECEIVED CHECK BACK FROM DMV
(also stating I would need to re-submit when I have Plate number...and I DID write NEW in the Plate area)

Now what? Do I wait until I get the plates (could be another 30-60 days according to DMV) or do I re-send application now...and then if check is still not cashed when I get the plates...send it again?

ADVISE?

 

Why not just try again? Worse thing that can happen is they send it back again and you have to re-apply (Which you will have to do anyways). Many of us on the forum sent it without the license plate number.

 

I don't think DMV changed their policy. You don't need to know your plate number, but by the time your HOV application reaches the Special Processing Unit, if your VIN is not already in the system, they will reject your application.

In other words, your registration information must be in the system by the time your HOV application is processed.

 

Understand about the registration information needing to be in. However, the form they sent back does not say that. It says that a License plate number needs to be issued before the application can be processed. This was also verified by calling the DMV. They say that they now need the plate number, not just the VIN.

The dealer told me that the registration is a 2 step process for them. They send the initial information to the DMV within 5 days of purchase...then the DMV sends them something back, then they send the final paperwork (in my case the final paperwork was sent to DMV on 3/13). The dealer told me that the DMV does list the car as sold from the dealer (which the DMV does not tell you over the phone)...but it can take 30-90 days for them to convert that to the actual owner.

Since I only saw this same situation with the last few posts...and they sent their form at the same time I did (and purchased the vehicle within a day of my purchase), it looks as though they may be more strict now. I have seen people post that they sent their applications for the HOV before they finalized their purchase (they took the VIN off of the car a day of two ahead of time)...and still had no problem on the sticker.

Could be they are really busy and decided to better enforce needing the plate number, could just be a "lazy" DMV person who rejected rather then put them in the "pending" pile.

Going to send my back on Monday...and then keep calling the DMV until they can give me a plate number (hopefully before they arrive)...and then send it again with the plate number.

Watching everyone go by in the HOV lane is killing me!

 

One thing I learned over the past few months is you can get alot of misinformation even from DMV. The Special Processing Unit does not have a phone number published and the group taking their calls does not always give the most accurate information, at least in my experience.

The plate is assigned during the same process when the VIN is entered into the system. They do need the plate number, but I have been told they will look to see if the VIN is in the system. If so, they will verify vehicle type and get the plate number to complete your application. It is possible they changed their procedure, but I doubt it.

 

Yeah I can empathize with this. It took me about 7 weeks to get my sticker. Every prius/civic that passed me buy in the carpool lane was like a jab in the ribs. Seems like your plan is the right thing to do. By the time they get to your application this time around, plate numbers would mostly likely have been assigned. Good luck.

 

Did the DMV start the sticker numbers at 00001? I'm curious to know when they will reach 75,000. Will it be April or May or June?

 

Yes, DMV started at 00001 (I think someone from the San Diego Prius club has 0004).

Yes, they have surpassed 50,000 (Last I heard up to 54,000), since it would take them too long to do a survey to stop it at 50,000. So sounds like 75,000 is the next number. Now there are over 75,000 hybrids that qualify on the roads, but not eveyone has applied (according to Dave Hermance from Toyota corporate- when he spoke to the Orange County Prius club) last month.

 

Darn, I guess I'll be out of luck. I just placed my order for a prius yesterday, so I doubt it will come for me in time to get the HOV stickers. I'm planning on getting Silver even though Magnetic Gray is my first choice since the Silver should arrive sooner and I can apply for the HOV stickers sooner.

 

Hope this isn't too much of a repeat. We just sold our 05 and purchased an 06. A long story short. Go to the dealer and ask them to electronically send in your registration. It cost me $28.00 to do this. I was then able to pick up lic plates from the dealer the very next day. DMV received my vin number almost immediately and my check was then cashed. The Air Quality Board sent me my stickers within a week or so.

I had originally thought that the dealer would send in the paperwork within hours of the transaction. This was not the case. And when they did send it in it would have still taken several weeks to a month for the DMV to register the vin.

So my advice is if the dealer has not yet submitted the paperwork ask them if you can pay to have the registration done electronically and pick up your plates from them. I am not sure if all dealers have plates, but I believe they do. It is not that you need plates as much as you need DMV to register the car's vin.

Manny

 

Here's an update:

Purchased vehicle: 2/25/06
Mailed application: 2/27/06
Check and application returned for no plate: 3/21/06
New application mailed: 3/22/06
Check cashed: 3/31/06
Title received: 3/31/06
Sticker received: ?????????

 

Received my stickers from DMV yesterday.

Purchased car: 2/15/06
Faxed application to Fastrack: 2/27/06
Received Fastrack via mail: 3/8/06
Sent sticker app via overnight mail: 3/11/06
Check cashed: 3/27/06
Received sticker: 3/31/06

Sticker #54263

No license plate received for car yet.

 

#54375 received...

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=17814

 

At long last...

2/8/06 Purchased car
2/8/06 Mailed 1st HOV application + check
2/27/06 1st check cashed
3/20/06 Received plates + registration
3/21/06 Mailed 2nd HOV application + check
3/29/06 2nd check cashed
4/1/06 Received HOV stickers HE053483


Yesssss! Unfortunately I have to wait until next weekend before I get to 'deface' my car, as some have put it. I can't wait! My car is filthy right now after a week with several rainy days and a bit of travelling, and we're mountains-bound this afternoon, where it will proceed to get even filthier. Will give it a bath when we get home.