CALIFORNIA – Solo drivers with a Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decal may lose access to the carpool lane, September 30, if Congress doesn’t approve an extension to the program.
The CAV Decal Program allows qualifying low- and zero-emission vehicles to access High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation, last year, that extends the program to Jan. 1, 2027, however, the program’s continuation requires authorization from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
The timeline for federal approval is currently uncertain.
Eligibility requirements
According to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) as of March 2024, there were 411,133 vehicles in California with active CAV decals. Since the program started in January 2001, the DMV has issued more than 1.05 million decals.
Although the status of the program is pending, drivers can still apply for the decal.
Eligibility requirements include vehicle type, model year restrictions, previous decal usage, vehicle registration, and decal program categories.
There is a $27 application fee. The DMV says to allow 14 days to process the application.
Apply for a CAV decal online
The DMV runs the decal program in partnership with other state agencies that include CARB and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
All CAV decal-related transactions can be completed online.
For more information about the CAV program visit https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/license-plates-decals-and-placards/clean-air-vehicle-decals-for-using-carpool-lanes/
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