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Hi all, I'm new to S. California. Just moved here from New York City, and since I didn't own a car there I bought a used Tesla when I arrived. I've been trying to find out how the toll & HOV roads work and I'm quite confused. I found this post and it seems to be the most helpful, but I noticed that the information is several years old and so want to check and see if it is still accurate.
It sounds like the best option is to get the 91 transponder and set it to 3, but I'm wondering if the new laws noted above are/have changed that.
The car I bought has white 'access ok' stickers on the rear bumper (all three sides) and I was given the impression that gave me the ability to use all HOV/Express lanes throughout the state, but after doing some research I guess I'm several years behind. So now I know I need to get a transponder. In the meantime I'll be keeping an eye out for the various violations notices I should be receiving for using those lanes periodically over the last month. If anyone knows of a way to have those expunged (provided I get them... plates are still temporary tags) I'd appreciate the tips.
Also... do the stickers serve any function any more? If not, I'd like to remove them since they're rather ugly.
Thanks in advance for any help
The white HOV stickers are expired and of no use to you. But good luck getting them off without it looking worse than leaving them on.Hi all, I'm new to S. California. Just moved here from New York City, and since I didn't own a car there I bought a used Tesla when I arrived. I've been trying to find out how the toll & HOV roads work and I'm quite confused. I found this post and it seems to be the most helpful, but I noticed that the information is several years old and so want to check and see if it is still accurate.
It sounds like the best option is to get the 91 transponder and set it to 3, but I'm wondering if the new laws noted above are/have changed that.
The car I bought has white 'access ok' stickers on the rear bumper (all three sides) and I was given the impression that gave me the ability to use all HOV/Express lanes throughout the state, but after doing some research I guess I'm several years behind. So now I know I need to get a transponder. In the meantime I'll be keeping an eye out for the various violations notices I should be receiving for using those lanes periodically over the last month. If anyone knows of a way to have those expunged (provided I get them... plates are still temporary tags) I'd appreciate the tips.
Also... do the stickers serve any function any more? If not, I'd like to remove them since they're rather ugly.
Thanks in advance for any help
I went to Costco to buy the transponder, but was told that they don't do those anymore. Instead, there is a very small (mostly) clear sticker that goes on the bottom, inside windshield. It's ~$50 at Costco and loads a $50 credit on the account (comes with 2 stickers).
I had some questions when I was setting up the account and so called the FastTracks phone number. This is the info that was given to me:
1. The stickers don't work very well on a Tesla due to the windshield, so they are sending me a special sticker that goes on the headlight of the car.
2. In order to get discounts on the HOV lanes, they are shipping me an adjustable transponder. (Not sure if this was also available at Costco and the sales rep just gave me the wrong info). Again, however, due to the windshield issue there are problems with the scanners picking up the transponder. So I was advised to put it directly behind the rear view mirror and that should work.
3. I need to send a copy of my registration to ____ so that I can get discounts and/or free HOV lane use.
3a. Every agency is different and so sometimes you'll get free tolls, sometimes they'll be reduced and sometimes nothing.
4. On some roads (sounds like most of them) it is a violation to drive in the HOV OR Express lanes without a sticker or transponder. Regardless of whether it is an EV or not. (so it sounds like once they link my temporary plates to me, I'm screwed)
In the meantime I'll be keeping an eye out for the various violations notices I should be receiving for using those lanes periodically over the last month.
I've had both types of the Fastrak Flex switchable transponder (the old square one and the newer "candy bar" version) and they both work fine anywhere in my Model 3. I had the old one mounted under the glass roof, and I now keep the new one in the middle console since I don't use it often anymore. Once I even forgot to take it out before driving through a toll plaza and it still worked. That said, if you want to permanently mount it, the place behind the rear view mirror on the passenger side is probably best since it's out of the way.2. In order to get discounts on the HOV lanes, they are shipping me an adjustable transponder. (Not sure if this was also available at Costco and the sales rep just gave me the wrong info). Again, however, due to the windshield issue there are problems with the scanners picking up the transponder. So I was advised to put it directly behind the rear view mirror and that should work.
I've had both types of the Fastrak Flex switchable transponder (the old square one and the newer "candy bar" version) and they both work fine anywhere in my Model 3. I had the old one mounted under the glass roof, and I now keep the new one in the middle console since I don't use it often anymore. Once I even forgot to take it out before driving through a toll plaza and it still worked. That said, if you want to permanently mount it, the place behind the rear view mirror on the passenger side is probably best since it's out of the way.
I went to Costco to buy the transponder, but was told that they don't do those anymore. Instead, there is a very small (mostly) clear sticker that goes on the bottom, inside windshield. It's ~$50 at Costco and loads a $50 credit on the account (comes with 2 stickers).
I had some questions when I was setting up the account and so called the FastTracks phone number. This is the info that was given to me:
1. The stickers don't work very well on a Tesla due to the windshield, so they are sending me a special sticker that goes on the headlight of the car.
2. In order to get discounts on the HOV lanes, they are shipping me an adjustable transponder. (Not sure if this was also available at Costco and the sales rep just gave me the wrong info). Again, however, due to the windshield issue there are problems with the scanners picking up the transponder. So I was advised to put it directly behind the rear view mirror and that should work.
3. I need to send a copy of my registration to ____ so that I can get discounts and/or free HOV lane use.
3a. Every agency is different and so sometimes you'll get free tolls, sometimes they'll be reduced and sometimes nothing.
4. On some roads (sounds like most of them) it is a violation to drive in the HOV OR Express lanes without a sticker or transponder. Regardless of whether it is an EV or not. (so it sounds like once they link my temporary plates to me, I'm screwed)
Not sure how long since your violations, but I would be proactive and call them to pay them off before receiving the notices in mail. If you wait for the notices, here is what will happen. The first violation, you only have to pay the toll fee. But if you stack up 2 or 3 or 4.... each of those after the 1st, you will have to pay a penalty fee.. and it is really really expensive.
I've tried to proactively chase down any violations. The main one I'm worried about is the 91. I think I was on that 2-3 times over the past couple of months. When I log onto their site I'm required to provide a violation number along with my license plate number. So unless there is a work around I might be stuck waiting until I get the violations in the mail. Perhaps I'll try calling them tomorrow.
I've also taken the HOV lanes south on I-15 a couple times on my way to the airport. I didn't see the same signs that I saw on the 91 (transponder required), so not sure if I'll have any issues. I always had 3 people or more in the car, but no transponders or anything similar.
Also noticed I forgot to go back and put the email address in the above post. [email protected] That is where I had to email my Tesla registration to in order to be verified for applicable discounts.
@jjrandorin Thanks for the welcome. I'm loving the Temecula area so far!
91 has their own goofy rules, and they seem to change all the time. Hard to keep up, if you seldom use it. I need to set my transponder to "3" and swerve into the 3 people lane to get maximum discounts.
The confusing thing is, various "toll roads" are owned by different entities. I just drove on the 241 when I had to go from San Diego to costa mesa (to get to the service center there), and it was 8.65 each way as I dont have a transponder, but do have purple stickers. Still worth it for the occasional trip but its confusing for sure.
I did not want to give 40-50 dollars into an account for them to hold for the 2-3 times a year I need to go on the 91 / 241 / toll roads.