How do cops tell if your car really is a hybrid when driving

[jtvang125]

Well atleast here in Ca you can drive alone in the carpool lane if your car is a hybrid, not too sure about other states. Do cops just go by the "hybrid" sticker on the car or are they trained on which cars are actually hybrids?

 

[FallenHero]

I can tell you that it is mainly by looks/the badge that tells me. I dont work in CA though and we dont have carpool lanes here...but that is how I would do it.

 

[FDF12389]

They have x-ray vision and are trained to look for the large batteries. Also they have supernatural powers to detect if your lying to them.


Consider yourself warned.

 

[Dirigible]

I'm hella driving my "hybrid" Unimog, complete with HOV stickers, all over the state.

Edit: Might be able to get away with a lookalike, but it's a hefty fine if caught. Plus, it'd be a scummy move. I'd sure turn someone in if I saw that.

 

[dawheat]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
Well atleast here in Ca you can drive alone in the carpool lane if your car is a hybrid, not too sure about other states. Do cops just go by the "hybrid" sticker on the car or are they trained on which cars are actually hybrids?

I don't believe that's correct for CA - you must be assinged a carpool sticker from the DMV that is displayed on your bumper. Simply having a hybrid does not get you a free pass in the carpool lane.

 

[Vette73]

A lot of areas have list of what hybrids are allowed. I don;t think the Saturn Vue hybrid is on most list. So being hybrid does not get you in, it still has to be aproved.

 

[Ktulu]

I think the CA also issues a fixed amount per year or something. So even if your hybrid approved to HOV lanes it's still possible to not get a sticker.

 

[theeedude]

You need a sticker. No sticker, no carpool lane for you, even if you got a Prius.
Also, they give those stickers to natural gas powered and electric cars too.

 

[halik]

California has HOV lanes for hybrids? HA! What a bunch of idiots... a diesel jetta beats prius in terms of highway mpg

 

[rh71]

what sticker?

 

[thomsbrain]

There are only three models of car that can use the carpool lane, and two of those models are hybrid-only models (Prius and Insight). Even the Civic has unique wheels and an obvious rectangular badge on the back that you can see for quite some distance. The chances of someone with a non-hybrid Civic trying to steal the stickers (which are designed to peel apart is you attempt to remove them), steal the wheels, and steal the hybrid badge from a Civic hybrid are pretty slim.

All the stickers that will be issued in CA have already been issued, period. There won't be any more, and they will stop being valid in 2010 or so. The only way to get stickers is to buy a used hybrid that already has them attached and apply to have them (and their special FasTrak unit) transfered to your name.

An a related note, cars powered by natural gas CAN still get HOV stickers. That includes the Civic GX, as well as a few Crown Vic taxis. From what I understand, there were never limits in place for the number of stickers they will issue for these cars.

 

[Mursilis]

In some states, special license plates.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
Well atleast here in Ca you can drive alone in the carpool lane if your car is a hybrid, not too sure about other states. Do cops just go by the "hybrid" sticker on the car or are they trained on which cars are actually hybrids?

Just owning a hybrid isn't enough. You have to have one of those big yellow DMV stickers on your car to qualify and they discontinued that program about a year or so ago and I don't think they have any plans on renewing it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: rh71
what sticker?

This one

 

[Owls]

I am very disappointed by you guys. 13 replies and no one said "Cops use a smug detector"?

Maybe the southpark fans aren't here.

 

[The Stigenator]

You need the sticker to drive in carpool lanes.

Our state vehicles that are CNG only have them.. which are great cause we can use them in carpool when driving alone.

 

[exdeath]

What constitutes "hybrid"? My car burns both gas and rubber, so it's a hybrid

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Originally posted by: exdeath
What constitutes "hybrid"? My car burns both gas and rubber, so it's a hybrid

ROFL.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Mursilis
In some states, special license plates.

That's how it's done in Virginia.

http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/hov-rulesfaq.asp

 

[GoatMonkey]

They look in the window to see if you're a Druid, Paladin, or Shaman. If not, you get a ticket.

 

[Mermaidman]

Type-H sticker.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Shit, the HOV lane shoulf be for the vehicles that get crappy mileage. That way they don't use as much gas. The hybrid owners can clog up the regular lanes and use less gas doing it.
HOV=High Oil Vehicle.

 

[KeithP]

In California, after you get the sticker, I believe a cop can run your plates to determine if the car has indeed been issue a sticker by the DMV. This would prevent someone Photochopping a sticker together and sticking it to the vehicle.

-KeithP