I just got back from a visit to the Virginia DMV to get my Clean Special Fuel Plate. Instead, I waited for an hour while the staff tried without success to find that appropriate forms. (And this was after I called ahead to make sure they had them!) In the end, they sent me away with an "Application for Communiplates or Special Interest Series." They said I will need to submit the completed application; my $10 payment; a certificate from the dealer indicating that the Prius is, indeed, a hybrid; and a copy of my registration. All of must go to DMV in Richmond in an envelope marked "Attention Commissioner Section." I'll let you all know if I succeed...

Hybridjules-<br>Please let me know how it all turns out, and any hints before I hit my local Chesapeake DMV for the plates...and I just got the lovely Blue Ridge DMV plates for Cord-LSS. Please contact at RxForSanity@.... Thanks--cordlss

Yikes! I got my VA clean fuel plate on their website without any problem. No dealer cert. should be required, since the VIN already tells VDOT everything they need to know about the car. But I just checked the website (www.dmv.state.va.us) and the special plate seems to have disappeared! Try calling Richmond to find out the story.<br><br>--BMAnnix

I'm in Arlington and will be recieving my car next Friday, so I haven't got the plates yet. But if you go to the web site, click on Create A Plate, then click on Search/View Special Plates, the design is called "Clean Special Fuel" and is categorized under "Special Interest".

One more thing, if you purchase it online it is caleed "Alternate Fuel" and listed under special interest.

Perhaps it would be easier online, I live in Norfolk, licensed my Prius in person at the Widgeon Rd DMV, and not only had to pull out a copy of the state law, but had to have the dealership change the car record with DMV. Then after standing at the counter for 45 minutes, they informed me I would receive plates in the mail, in 2 or 3 weeks. I have them now, but it was difficult.

After 90 minutes on the phone with Virginia DMV Headquarters and 3 hours at the Four Mile Run branch office, I am hopeful that a Clean Special Fuel Plate is on its way. For others who may try to get one of these plates, a few words of advice: Call ahead to DMV headquarters to let them know you will be applying for the plate, and get a name and phone number of someone who will be available to speak to the DMV branch office employee. (My contact was Miss Taylor, but she wasn't at her desk when I needed her!) Bring in your registration, which should indicate that the fuel type is "HYBR". Don't let them send you away to get a dealer's certificate -- that's for alternative fuel vehicles, not for hybrids. If you are patient, persistent and lucky, you will get a new registration card and, hopefully, in 6-8 weeks, a new plate that allows you to use the HOV lanes. Better yet, ask your dealer to jump through these hoops for you!

I picked up my car yesterday in arlington, va and am going back today to finish registration, yesterday they said they should be able to order the plates for me, we will see how it goes.