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

[noshadow]

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?

 

[dgstan]

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.

 

[artnalex]

I’m sending my request on January 1, 2021.

 

[jf64k]

I’m sending my request on January 1, 2021.

You and me both, haha!!

 

[noshadow]

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.

 

[Laguna M3]

I am waiting as well. Want to be sure I get stickers that expire 1/1/25.

 

[bpon89]

You and me both, haha!!

I already filled out the application, stamped in an envelope and put in my glove box ready for Jan 1 to mail out.

 

[Gizmotoy]

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.

 

[jf64k]

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.

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).

 

[bpon89]

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).

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.

 

[dgstan]

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.

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.

 

[noshadow]

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?

 

[LineWaiterPST]

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.

 

[SDM44]

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.

 

[Gizmotoy]

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.

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.

 

[Gigaron]

You and me both, haha!!

And baby makes make 3 ;-)

 

[cwerdna]

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.

Yep. Current Clean Air Vehicle Decal | California Air Resources Board mentions it.

 

[mnsweeps]

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.

 

[captanzuelo]

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

 

[Laguna M3]

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

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.