The AZ DOT/DMV issues "alternative fuel" license plates. Those with these plates have two advantages over regular plates:<br>1) No annual registration fees.<br>2) No annual smog tests.<br>As expected, Prius' in Tucson typically bear regular license plates. Yesterday, I saw an exception in the University of Arizona motor pool. A Prius bearing the alternative fuel plates. Anyone know if Prius' really qualify for the AZ alternative fuel plates?<br>Thanks, Marc

I posted this information earlier this month but can not find the post so here is what I was able to learn from the ADOT concerning the current status of the law that was Senate Bill 1429. Hope this proves helpful.<br><br>

Sec. 2. Section 28-2416, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:<br><br>28-2416. Alternative fuel vehicle special plates; stickers; use of high occupancy vehicle<br>lanes; definitions<br><br>A. Beginning on April 1, 1997, a person who owns a motor vehicle that has either been<br>converted or manufactured to use an alternative fuel and the alternative fuel was subject to<br>the use fuel tax imposed pursuant to chapter 16, article 2 of this title before April 1, 1997<br>shall apply for alternative fuel vehicle special plates pursuant to this section.<br><br>B. A PERSON WHO OWNS A MOTOR VEHICLE THAT IS A HYBRID VEHICLE<br>MAY APPLY FOR ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLE SPECIAL PLATES<br>PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ISSUE<br>ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLE SPECIAL PLATES, OR AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL<br>VEHICLE STICKER AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION E OF THIS SECTION, AND<br>A HYBRID VEHICLE STICKER TO A PERSON WHO SATISFIES THE<br>REQUIREMENTS PRESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION C OF THIS SECTION. THE<br>HYBRID VEHICLE STICKER SHALL BE DESIGNED BY THE DEPARTMENT<br>AND SHALL BE PLACED ON THE MOTOR VEHICLE AS PRESCRIBED BY THE

&gt;By: sidneybrooks<br>&gt;

Must be nice. Here in Georgia, the Prius and the Insight don't get "Alternative Fuel" plates because they use gasoline. I tried, but shot-down.<br><br>However, it's not a biggie to me because, while there are HOV lanes available on my commute, they don't make a difference on the amount of time I'm on the road.<br><br>I just traveled 592 miles on $12 of gas! Incredible!

Not being a lawyer, I do not wish to debate legal questions. I do want to report my experience in trying to get alternative fuel plates in Arizona.<br><br>First, I went to my local MVD office and spent an hour waiting while telephone calls and faxes went back and forth to Phoenix. The final conclusion was that they could not contact the policy department and that I should come back in a few days to see if they got an answer. I did not look forward to taking a number and waiting with the license applicants to get my turn to talk to somebody.<br><br>I then called the Motor Vehicle Department in Phoenix and after being brushed off for a while, I was finally connected with a second level supervisor. She found the new law, signed by the Governor on April 20, 2001 and agreed that my car was entitled to alternative plates. However, she said that they couldn't be issued until the department established a policy and the people in that department were not available. She is supposed to call me when she can contact them.

Yes we Prius owner qualify for clean air plates and because of the "new changes" A-DOT people have no clue. From a post I found thay have all the information needed and we can apply for the plates after August 9th.<br><br>seeya<br>jay

In order to nail down the date on which hybrid vehicle owners can apply for alternate vehicle license plates, I checked the Arizona Legislature website. The effective date of all legislation passed this year is August 9, 2001. As far as I can tell, whether ADOT people know or do not know what is going on, they have no choice after August 9. My car was purchased on August 16, 2000 and therefore I expect to renew my license at the reduced rate.

I have heard from ADOT on how they are interpreting the changes in the law regarding hybrid vehicles.<br>1. Even though hybrid vehicles will be eligible for alternative fuel license plates, they will still pay the fees for regular cars not the reduced fees for alternative fuel vehicles.<br>2. Since the law directs the director of ADEQ to request permission for the hybrids to use HOV lanes from the federal highway administration by December 31, the law will have no effect until that date even though the law becomes effective of August 9.