Replacement HOV stickers - CA DMV

[Jim Senter]

Okay, so I got in a little fender bender with my 2007 GX. Car has been to the body shop, all is well and brand new again, BUT the stickers had to be removed. So it's off to the DMV I go. Send in the application for replacement stickers, with the required $8, the explanation of why I need new stickers, photos of my bashed in car, and all the stickers in a big envelope for them. Wait 3 weeks... simmer... stir...

So TODAY I get a letter from the DMV. Wait, methinks, this cannot be good news. For one thing, the envelope, though bulky, is too small for stickers. For another, 3 weeks is too quick a turnaround for our friendly folks at the DMV. Sure enough, "Your Application is Incomplete!", says the notice. They now need a police report or a repair report. AND, they say, we need all the stickers... Okay, now I'm steaming. "I sent you the @#*&@#$ stickers already!" I want to scream, but of course, in DMV space, no one can hear you scream.

All I can do is comply, dutifully send in a copy of the repair report, with a note about the stickers, and pray for mercy and good fortune, 'cause, Oy, they have us all by the short & curlies, do they not?!

[Timon]

Re: Replacement HOV stickers - CA DMV

This is worth a phone call, Curtis, what was that number to Sacramento?

[freedml]

Re: Replacement HOV stickers - CA DMV

When I got my stickers I scanned them into the computer first so that, if one got damaged, I could replace it myself.

[freedml]

Re: Replacement HOV stickers - CA DMV

If they got enough of the old stickers back to be identifiable, why do they need a police report or a repair report? They have the original stickers!

[Mshepcomm]

Re: Replacement HOV stickers - CA DMV

I don't know if you still need it, but the phone number for the CA DMV Special Processing Unit is 916-657-8035,

Good luck,
Mark

[Jim Senter]

Re: Replacement HOV stickers - CA DMV

Thank you, Mark. I will keep the phone number handy in case I get another reject letter from the DMV.

[Jim Senter]

Re: Replacement HOV stickers - CA DMV

UPDATE -- I just got my second response from the DMV to my request for replacement stickers. You will recall that I sent in everything asked for in the form, including all the stickers, in early February. Then I got a letter several weeks later saying they needed a police report, accident or repair shop report and all stickers. So I sent them a copy of the repair shop report and a note telling them they already have the stickers. Today I got ANOTHER letter from them asking for the police report, accident or repair shop report and all stickers. I have been calling the Special Processing Unit all morning, and the line is usually busy. On occasion the line will ring, and I'll eventually get a voice telling me that "your party is not answering... please try again later... the line will be disconnected now."

I really don't know what to do next. I know from experience that going to my local DMV office will be an exercise in extreme frustration. Does anyone have any recommendations, i.e., someone higher up to complain to? Do you think AAA can help resolve the catch-22?

[ajgiorgi]

Re: Replacement HOV stickers - CA DMV

Fill out the application again, but instead of replacement put in for a new sticker and see what happens. Send the note along with it. What the hell right? You got nothing to loose. I had to deal with the DMV also, they marked my car as a gas vehicle instead of a natural gas vehicle, took me a good three months to get my sticker.

Good Luck,
Anthony

[Jim Senter]

Re: Replacement HOV stickers - CA DMV

Really? I am pretty sure that would push me into some deeper level of DMV hell since they already must have a record that my car has received stickers. But, you may be right. They may be so screwed up that they may not even catch it. Obviously the 433rd left hand doesn't know what the 207th right hand is doing...

Maybe I need to buy a new car to replace my 2007 GX. That may be the only way to get stickers now...

[Lakewood90712]

Re: Replacement HOV stickers - CA DMV

Jim: Call the governors office in sacramento. I had a hard time getting the DMV to suspend the licence of someone who hit me , and had no insurance. The DMV just stonewalled until the gov. office called them, then just like magic it got done.

Be polite and have all your facts handy. Arnold made a big deal about cleaning house at the DMV after he was seated.

You have to be a squeaky wheel if you don't have political connections.

John.

[Timon]

Re: Replacement HOV stickers - CA DMV

At this point I would suggest you do several things.

1) Take all of the letters you've sent, copies of everything sent back from the DMV and parts of any stickers you had left and make several copies.

2) Make an appointment with the local DMV office. When you get there ask for a supervisor right up front. Don't let them BS you. They have the back numbers to get through to Sacramento and to the supervisor of the department. Tell them that if you don't get this resolved right then and there your next call will be to your local representative and the media.

3a) Contact your representative for your district and supply them with a copy of the above. Ask them to contact the DMV and help you get action.

3b) Contact the media as they love this kind of story about DMV screw ups.

4) Take a copy of every thing including the letters to your representative and put them in an envelope, keep it in the car and drive the HOV lanes. If stopped by a CHP officer take out the packet showing him that you had stickers, had paid the fees, have complied with everything the DMV had ask for and have tried in good faith to get get the issue resolved. Tell him that you should not be punished because someone in Sacramento can't do their job right. Chances are he'll let you go. If he does not then go to the court and plead your case to the judge showing him everything you have tried to do to get the problem solved. The judge most likely let you off plus send a nasty letter to the DMV. I would also ask the judge for a letter to give to the CHP telling them not to to ticked you if stopped again.

Then again if that does not work you might be out $341 but what the hell, it's only money

[scott]

Re: Replacement HOV stickers - CA DMV

Wow! You just caused me to open my envelope and add the damage report. My GX was hit and run and is in the shop. I put everything Jim did, except police/repair sheet(s) in the envelope and was just about to mail it when I saw his problem on the Chat. The DMV's own website only asks for:

form REG 1000
Statement of facts REG-256 (fill in part G)
The $8 fee
The old stickers and the registration sheet they came with

Nothing else. No police report or repair report. See link below. The information is near the bottom of the page.

I will mail my request for replacement stickers today and keep you posted.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/decal.htm#replace

stickers arrived before car came out of shop (about 30 days)

[CNGBiker]

Re: Replacement HOV stickers - CA DMV

What a dilemma all of this is!

I just bought a Crown Vic from a gentleman that purchased it at an auction.

All of the stickers are gone except one.. and it's not much more than sticker residue, but the ID number is legible. There's no HOV sticker ID card either.

I'm about to apply for new stickers, what should I check on the Reg1000 form - Original or Replacement?
If I choose replacement, I will include the REG-256 form.

My appointment to transfer the title with DMV isn't until next week, but that shouldn't stop me from sending in the REG1000 form, should it?

Finally, would you folks drive in the HOV lane like this?

thanks in advance for any advice navigating this madness..

[Curtis]

Re: Replacement HOV stickers - CA DMV

I don't know if you still need it, but the phone number for the CA DMV Special Processing Unit is 916-657-8035,

Good luck,
Mark

I have a second # for you to try as well. 916-657-8035 is the customer communications section... of course they will have no idea what the special processing unit is doing, but it will give you one more person to vent to.

I'm also including the Reg 256, Statement of Fact, and Reg 156, License plate/Year Sticker replacement form... in the event that your license plate and [year]sticker were mangled beyond use (or torn off and lost) in the accident.
-----------------------------
Sorry I joined in so late. I've been away from the computer for the past several days. Thanks for jumping in and covering for me guys.

[CraziFuzzy]

Re: Replacement HOV stickers - CA DMV

About a year ago, I had planned on having my car repainted, so i sent in an application early for new stickers. I stated on the form that it was being repainted, and sent in my $8. I recieved the stickers in about 6-7 weeks. I guess in the last year they have made it more strict. I do know there are a bunch of people that have been driving around with fake stickers, so maybe this is their way of knee-jerking the issue.