TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

CA carpool sticker -- Best to order in November for 2021?

Discussion in 'Model Y' started by noshadow, Oct 30, 2020.

  1. noshadow

    noshadow Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2020
    Messages:
    425
    Location:
    Berkeley, CA
    Earlier this year, I was asking about the California carpool/hov stickers, and a lot of people suggested applying in November so that it would arrive in January 2021 and maximize the period that it would be effective for.

    Is this still the case? Should I get ready to apply for it Nov 1?
     
    • Like x 1
  2. dgstan

    dgstan Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2018
    Messages:
    377
    Location:
    Campbell, CA
    Two years ago, with my Model 3, I didn't mail my application until Jan. 1. I wouldn't want to give the DMV the ability to send me the previous year's sticker. I don't know their procedure (i.e. do they go by postmark?), but I know the DMV will, given the opportunity, screw up and there is little to no recourse.
     
    • Like x 5
    • Love x 1
  3. artnalex

    artnalex Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2020
    Messages:
    198
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    I’m sending my request on January 1, 2021.
     
    • Like x 6
  4. jf64k

    jf64k Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2020
    Messages:
    378
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    You and me both, haha!!
     
  5. noshadow

    noshadow Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2020
    Messages:
    425
    Location:
    Berkeley, CA
    Interesting, someone had told me 2 months would be perfect, but I'm in no rush, I guess I should just wait to be sure.
     
  6. Laguna M3

    Laguna M3 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2020
    Messages:
    169
    Location:
    Laguna Niguel, CA
    I am waiting as well. Want to be sure I get stickers that expire 1/1/25.
     
  7. bpon89

    bpon89 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Messages:
    44
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    I already filled out the application, stamped in an envelope and put in my glove box ready for Jan 1 to mail out.
     
    • Like x 1
  8. Gizmotoy

    Gizmotoy Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2013
    Messages:
    3,657
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Waiting for Jan 1 here as well. Don't want to risk losing basically a whole year by having it issued late December or something. Plus traffic has been light due to COVID, so it's not quite as crucial right now.
     
  9. jf64k

    jf64k Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2020
    Messages:
    378
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    The way I look at it:

    - If you mail close to and before 12/31/20, you’ll PROBABLY get the 2021-issued stickers, but MAYBE not. We all know the Cal DMV moves in mysterious ways, haha!!
    - If you mail 01/01/21, you’ll DEFINITELY get the 2021-issued stickers.

    I’m not in a rush either (but I’m bummed I’m missing out on the orange stickers, since they match my calipers, haha!!) so I figure I might as well be sure. I’m hoping for blue (to go with the blue sparkles in my MSM paint). :D
     
  10. bpon89

    bpon89 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Messages:
    44
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    #10 bpon89, Oct 30, 2020
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2020
    So far there was green, red, purple, and orange. I was guessing 2021 would be blue! I guess that's a good idea once the sticker goes on gotta get matching calipers.
     
  11. dgstan

    dgstan Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2018
    Messages:
    377
    Location:
    Campbell, CA
    You would have thought they's match the registration sticker colors. Blue, green, red, orange, white, and yellow. But they don't. I would expect blue for next year, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was pink or chartreuse.

    There was nothing uglier than that purple on a red Tesla. My car's white, so I don't really care.
     
    • Like x 1
  12. noshadow

    noshadow Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2020
    Messages:
    425
    Location:
    Berkeley, CA
    I guess we'll all be waiting for the sticker color before painting our calipers haha. I guess the red ones are not coming back, so it'll be a repaint ;)

    I'm planning on getting those magnet backing so I don't have to sticker them on... I'm thinking that's not entirely legit, but I am 100% only going to use them once in a while. Anyone else know about those magnetic backings?
     
  13. LineWaiterPST

    LineWaiterPST Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2018
    Messages:
    34
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    The stickers are very unfortunate in terms of how ugly they are, a green license plate or a license plate with a big green stripe would have made a lot more sense.
     
    • Like x 3
    • Love x 2
  14. SDM44

    SDM44 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2019
    Messages:
    228
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Back in March 2019 when the CA DMV changed to the orange color stickers. People who had their applications approved & checks cashed in January & February of 2019 received the purple stickers. I remember seeing this on both the Model 3 FB group and the i3 SoCal FB group. But I believe those same people were able to re-apply later (and pay $38 again) to get the orange stickers.

    With CA's DMV, there's no rhyme or reason to what they do.
     
  15. Gizmotoy

    Gizmotoy Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2013
    Messages:
    3,657
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    For maximum confusion, that was a one-time thing. If you get 2021 stickers, they're good until Jan 2025. The sticker program ends completely Sept 2025.
     
    • Like x 1
  16. Gigaron

    Gigaron Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2019
    Messages:
    267
    Location:
    San Francisco
    And baby makes make 3 ;-)
     
    • Like x 1
  17. cwerdna

    cwerdna Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    Messages:
    3,343
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
  18. mnsweeps

    mnsweeps Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2019
    Messages:
    540
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    I thought you need permanent registration card copies from DMV before you apply for HOV lane sticker. Isn't that still true? I picked my car on 10/28 so my registration papers are still a few weeks away to come in mail.
     
  19. captanzuelo

    captanzuelo Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2020
    Messages:
    457
    Location:
    los angeles
    We are two months away from 2021. Why risk missing out on a whole year just to get a two month head start? Make it four of us, mailing out on Jan 1st
     
    • Like x 2
  20. Laguna M3

    Laguna M3 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2020
    Messages:
    169
    Location:
    Laguna Niguel, CA
    Not to mention that a buddy of mine with a Model 3 drove in the HOV lane for months before he even applied for the stickers. I wonder if CHP sees a Tesla and doesn't even look for the sticker. He may have just gotten lucky as well.
     

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC