My wife will not have HOV lanes or very short maybe on her commute, so we are not too excited about the green decals on our Pearl White PIP. I am sure I am not the only one who would prefer to make the decals as non-descript as legally possible. Many may display them proudly. Let's agree both ways are good. ;o). 1) Have you been able to creatively lessen the visual impact of the stickers? 2) Are you willing to share some pictures? 3) Have you experienced any issues with CHP (Highway Patrol) on your 'lower than normal' stickers? The only description on location was just about the 'areas' to display them (2 big ones on back sides behind rear wheel wells and 2 small ones right side of front and back bumpers). I grant that I am OCD, so please accept that as a given and limit the 'why I shouldn't care' comments ;o) Like illegally (but sometimes get away with forever) , not having a a front license plate, is it just a no cost fix it ticket if you were to leave off one or more stickers? I know law enforcement wants MAXIMUM visibility to spot unauthorized vehicles, I get that. I just want to see what is 'get away able' in sticker location (or even leaving say the front bumper sticker not applied (but in the car). On my 2013, there is a black plastic below rear bumper and rear sides. I was at least thinking of mounting them so the bottom part of sticker goes down there to the bottom verticle edge. Or if anyone has gotten away with having the stickers low enough to wrap under the lower edge? (maybe the round bottom part of sticker, loosing half of the California seal, but keeping the ID # just above the bottom most edge.) Hey, you got the OSD warning earlier.
If they are in the area, you should be fine. However, I would drive with the expectation that you will be pulled over. Will probably be as simple as pointing out your non-obvious sticker locations and showing a printout of the areas they are supposed to be in. Lots of time wasted, and probably making an office pissed off. So if you have any other little thing wrong like a burned out light bulb, expect a ticket there too. Also the lower you go, the more road rash it is going to get. And once they wear out, it is probably going to be very difficult to convince someone to give you another sticker.
Just put them on where they are suppose to be placed. They don't look that bad. I have the same color car as yours. Why risk getting a ticket.
davekro, saw your post about this subject in the thread, "Has anyone received green stickers........" and put this answer there: I use only the two small ones- on the chrome strip on the left front and on the dark glass under the rear spoiler. No problems with CHP spotting them so far, but I can always add the larger ones if I have to do so. IMHO, the CHP officers know what to look for, in regardless of the instructions from the DMV. This is my third Prius, and I had the same experience with minimal use of the yellow stickers on the two previous cars. Read more: http://priuschat.com/threads/has-anyone-received-a-ca-green-hov-sticker-yet.104322/page-34#ixzz2jVTORPnm Follow us: @PriusChat on Twitter | PriusChat on Facebook
I don't think improper placement of these stickers would warrant a ticket. What would be the violation, since the officer would have to cite a vehicle code section, such as the one about where on the inside windshield you can place objects like GPS units and electronic toll readers, etc. This would be like the folks who switch the stickers on the rear license place showing the month and year, even though in Calif. the plates have the locations for each one stamped in the metal.
Maybe they could cite you for the carpool lane violation, for not having decals displayed in the legally prescribed way? As if you didn't have the decals at all. I have no idea if this is the case; just tossing it out.
Anyone else using just the two small stickers on left front and right back? If so, for how long, how much HOV time and any hassles? Tks Roger, Thanks for the info and your experience! And sorry for repetitive thread post. I also think the CHP 'knows' the look of cars that belong in the HOV lane. and the decals don't jump out at them like DMV regulations call for their display, I think it would only take a second for them to spot the decal under spoiler on right rear or on the silver painted strip in the middle right side of the front bumper. I like your idea of just displaying the two small ones, especially since you have not had any issues. How long and how much HOV driving do you do? We do not even have an HOV lane where my my wife commutes, so for now we would only run across one occasionally. I have no problem risking a pull over to test this decal placement. Worst case, I would think would either be a warning or a fix it ticket.I am fine if that were to happen. I'll just keep the two big stickers in the glove box to prove I did not give them to someone else (though he may ask me to put them on right there ;o( ).
On my '05 I had one sticker on the right side of the back window glass below the spoiler and was never bothered by anyone at all. I am presently waiting for the '14 PIP and will again install one sticker on the glass on the right side below the spoiler. I do not believe anyone will bother me. I came to this decision after my '05 was rear ended twice, both times requiring me having to deal with DMV to obtain replacement stickers and having to go without stickers for several weeks each time. The benefit for me, when I sold the '05 after the program terminated, is I removed the sticker form the glass with no evidence a sticker was ever associated with the car. Try removing one from a painted surface.
I agree with you on the hassle of replacing stickers damaged in an accident. I was recently involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler which caused enough damage to the rear bumper cover for it to be replaced. I was glad that I had put the sticker on the glass under the spoiler. However, on my previous Prius with the yellow stickers, I was able to peel them off by simply letting the car sit in the sun long enough to warm up, and then just polished the areas involved, leaving no trace that they were ever there. I think the instructions with the stickers suggest using a heat gun, but I suspect a hairdryer would do just as well to heat up the adhesive.
I can see that the DMV could have an issue if you only displayed two of the decals, since you could sell the other two decals on, say, eBay, and end up with them on a non-qualifying car. Same argument applies to using a removable means to apply them , such as a magnetic frame. They really want all four decals permanently attached to the single qualifying car.
Charles, If I had #0005, I'd probably proudly display them too. I agree that the DMV really wants all four displayed. I agree as equally that they really want everyone to drive the specific posted speed limit. MOst folks seem OK going over the posted limit to the degree they feel is safe and still avoid getting a ticket. I feel like that about the stickers. If there is fudge room on decal location that I can use to let my car look a bit nicer (to me and my wife), I am willing to forgo the letter of the law. And unlike speeding, this 'stretch' has zero safety hazards as does speeding. Many may feel differently and that is certainly as it should be. I just posted to ask of other's experience who lean to my inclination on sticker placement. It is all good.
