White CA HOV Stickers are very faded - anyone else had probs?

[yepper]

My original CA HOV white stickers are very faded from 4 years of fun in the sun. Stickers themselves are iin fine shape, but the black lettering is only visible if you look real hard. I haven't had problems in the HOV lane, but the last CHP motorcycle officer did a triple take - then drove off. I know I can replace thru DMV and scape off the old ones stating damaged and pay $7...but my question is the stickers are fine - just hard to read. Anyone else in this situation? Any problems? Thanks

[echamberlain]

Re: White CA HOV Stickers are very faded - anyone else had probs?

I wish they would just issue HOV plates, and not bother with stickers.

[jetboatjohnny]

Re: White CA HOV Stickers are very faded - anyone else had probs?

Mine are completely faded but the serial numbers are still visible. Only one time I had a CHP officer take a look and kept going.

[cngprices]

Re: White CA HOV Stickers are very faded - anyone else had probs?

I have the same thing - the stickers are impossible to read from afar, but I think if they are shiny when you look back and forth, you're probably fine. Remember if you scrape them off and send them back, you'll be without them for a few months. I originally requested new ones, but when they told me I had to scrape them, I said no way.

If you get pulled over, just make sure you have the certificate on you that says you are a clean air vehicle.

Todd

[venomous99]

Re: White CA HOV Stickers are very faded - anyone else had probs?

im another one of those with teh notorious white faded stickers and have been pulled over not once, not twice but 3 times since i got my car back in Nov 2009. each time i was questioned about why i was in the carpool lane and as soon as i pointed the sticker out i got the same response that its difficult to see the sticker. if only the special vehicle dept at the dmv made these stickers more readily available at the local DMV rather than having to send in the remnants of the old sticker we wouldnt have the issue of faded stickers. in the meantime since i rely on carpool access there is no way ill accept downtime by waiting for replacements to arrive. does anyone know if it would be possible to visit sacramento to get replacements in person? everytime i call the direct number to the special vehicle dept i get a busy signal. i think also part of the reason why ive gotten pulled owner is the lack of awareness with law enforcement of these type of stickers since the yellow ones are more prevalent.

[thardie]

Re: White CA HOV Stickers are very faded - anyone else had probs?

I had this problem too, and just applied to the DMV for new ones and marked them as damaged. They issued them no problem. Took like 8 weeks, but I did get them

[hovuser]

Re: White CA HOV Stickers are very faded - anyone else had probs?

Bought my CNG with faded white stickers in 9/2011, got pulled over 3 weeks later on the 405. CHP gave me a ticket for $399, he essentially refused to even look at the faded numbers on the decals. I had not yet received my certificate saying I was the new owner and the last owner did not have the certificate. Haven't decided how to handle this one yet regarding court day but it seems like the DMV should be more willing to reissue decals for clearly defective faded stickers given how many people are having problems with this. I got pulled over again yesterday on the 405 but he let me go because I had the clear air certificate in the car this time. I have tried repeatedly to speak with the DMV manager at special processing unit but have been told 'i will pass on the message to the manager, it is their decision whether or not to return the message'----great customer service. Please contact me if you have received tickets for faded decals as I will have more evidence to speak with Governors office about defective decals and getting the dmv to issue new ones to avoid this continuous harrassment from the CHP.

[lcovelli]

Re: White CA HOV Stickers are very faded - anyone else had probs?

I used WeatherTek film... The stuff you put over your headlamps and placed them over the stickers.
You can get the stuff in a roll and cut to your desired dimensions.
Still looks like new.