There are two lanes for every onramp that I use in the Los Angeles.
One lane with a long line of cars waiting for the red light to turn green - and then it only allows one car to proceed per green.
Another lane with no light for carpoolers to sail through.

I never thought of the clean air sticker in that light. I wasn't planning on using the carpool lanes much since I don't tend to drive during peak traffic hours and like you, I drive for fuel efficiency (no more than 60-65 miles per hour). But for a free ride on the onramp carpool lane, the sticker is definitely worth the 8 bucks.

I just read that they will be sending 4 stickers. You have to place one on the front bumper, one on the rear bumper, and one on each rear quarterpanel. The front and rear I can dig, but on the sides? Oh well, it's worth it.

Where do you get the application for the sticker?

On an envelope write down the address at the bottom of the page from this link:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg1000.htm

Click on the blue link towards the top of the page.

Print and fill out the form.
Write a check for $8, made out to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Snail mail everything to the address you wrote down above.

I'm doing this tonight.

I too was concerned about this minor detail. I read the info on the FASTRAK website, and it said something about a minimum monthly fee for little activity. However, when I called to ask, the gentleman told me they had changed their policy and there was no minimum useage or associated fee.

Basically, they just hang on to your $40 until you cross the bridge enough to run your account down to $15, regardless of how many months it takes. At least thats what he told me . . .

Lifespeed

2003 Civic Hybrid 5 speed

I received the HOV stickers today for my two Priuses. There are indeed 4 stickers: one larger one each for the front and rear bumpers, and two smaller ones that are place just behind the rear wheel wells. (I'm not thrilled about sticking things onto my paint job, but I guess that's what it requires. So be it.) There is also a certificate which is to be kept with your vehicle registration card. ("Present to any peace officer upon demand." )

I paid $40 each for the FasTrack transponders, which arrived a few days ago, but am not sure whether I will put them in the cars or not, since I might pass through an affiliated bridge/toll twice a year. Maybe. For now, I am considering them a lease, and have not attached them to the cars (they are designed to be stuck on the windshield glass behind the rear view mirror). A work colleague who is awaiting his transponder and stickers says he plans to pack up the transponder and send it back after the stickers arrive. I wonder what that does to your Clean Air Decal registration, anyone know?

I saw one other car with the stickers on Thurs. night (2 nights ago), so they are beginning to appear.

Seriously, I'm going to bite the bullet and only place one of the stickers on the back of the vehicle, I for one do not want to ruin the paint job of my 2004 black prius....Even after you have to place 4 stickers on the vehicle you have a certificate to show a peace officer viable proof..What the heck, after you ruin the paint job of your car it's not enough? Only one sticker for me....

If some cop pulls you over, just tell him the other sticker fell off.

I've heard that lots of solo drivers have been able to use the HOV lanes by putting mannequins, inflatable dolls, etc. in the car with them. Any truth to that? Seems to me it would be tough for the cops to tell the difference at night, or with highly tinted windows.

Kenny,
I know the feeling! Tomorrow, Sept. 6th, the Harrison St. off ramp on the Bay Bridge closes. For 3 years. It's the first ramp off on the left, and people will have to move over 5 lanes of traffic immediately to get off on Fremont St., instead.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...sn=001&sc=1000
I know traffic will be so crazy in the morning I almost didn't want to go in (I drive in from the East Bay every morning). But Saturday I was finally able to place my ugly yellow stickers on my 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, and now, while I know it's gonna be a slow morning, I'm not too concerned. I figure I'll probably save myself at least 30 minutes, maybe more.