The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decals that allow vehicles meeting specified emissions standards single occupancy use of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV or carpool) lanes.
CARBestablishes the official list of eligible vehicles based upon vehicle emissions.
CAV Decal History & Legislation
The California legislature adopted programs outlined below to allow single occupancy use of select advanced clean cars in carpool lanes to promote the purchase and lease of the cleanest models. CAV decals are issued by the DMV to qualifying vehicles pursuant to CVC §§5205.5 and 21655.9.
Current Program
2023 Green Decals for First-Time Applications
Assembly Bill (AB) 544, signed into law in October 2017, put into place a new program beginning January 1, 2019 that continues to allow single-occupant use of carpool lanes for qualifying vehicles.The color for these new decals has changed every year, starting with purple for 2019,orange for 2020, blue for 2021, yellow for 2022, and green for 2023.Learn more
Income-Based (IB) CAV Decal Program
Senate Bill (SB) 957, signed into law in September 2018 authorizes a program beginning January 1, 2020 for CAV decals to be available to new owners of qualifying used vehicles, if specific requirements are met. Learn more on DMV's website.
Expired Legacy Decal Programs
White Decals
White decals are no longer being issued, and are no longer valid as of January 1, 2019. They were available to an unlimited number of qualifying zero emission vehicles (ZEVs). Vehicles that qualified were 100% battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. The White decal program also included certain alternative-fueled vehicles, such as advanced CNG that were certified to California's most stringent emission standards at that time. All vehicles also met the United States EPA ILEV standard for fuel vapor emissions.
- This law was initially enacted in 1999 (AB 71) with an original expiration date of January 1, 2008
- The expiration date was first extended in 2006 to January 1, 2011
- The expiration date was extended a second time in 2010 to January 1, 2015
- The expiration date was extended a third time to January 1, 2017
- The final expiration date of this program was extended (AB 266) to January 1, 2019
Original Green Decals
Original green decals are no longer being issued and are no longer valid as of January 1, 2019. They were originally available to the first 40,000 applicants that purchased or leased cars meeting California's TZEV requirement, also known as the enhanced advanced technology partial zero emission vehicle (AT PZEV)* requirement. Vehicles that potentially qualified were plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.Not all plug-in hybrid vehicles met these requirements.
- Green decals were originally available to the first 40,000 applicants
- Per budget trailer bill, SB 853 (Statutes 2014, chapter 27), the green decal limit was increased by 15,000 to 55,000 decals effective July 1, 2014
- Per AB 2013, effective January 1, 2015, an additional 15,000 decals were available for a new maximum of 70,000
- Per SB-838, and effective as of September 13, 2016, the green decal statutory limit was removed
- Per AB 266, the expiration date of green decals was extended to January 1, 2019
Original Yellow Decals for Hybrids
Yellow decals were issued to early models of qualifying hybrid vehicles and are different from the yellow decals issued in 2022. The California legislature limited the time of this early hybrid vehicle program to help promote and encourage the development and rapid adoption of hybrid technologies. These decals were limited to the first 85,000 qualified applicants and are no longer valid. These vehicles cannot qualify for any other type of Clean Air Vehicle decal.
- This law was initially enacted in 2004 (AB 2628) with an original expiration date of January 1, 2008
- The final expiration date for Yellow decals was extended in 2006 to January 1, 2011 (AB 2600)
Further Decal Program Information
The Impact of Federal Authorization on Individual State Decal Programs
States wishing to allow certain vehicles with a single occupant access to HOV lanes must have federal authorization to do this. California has historically received this authority through the different federal transportation bills but the Federal government reserves the right to disallow programs that impact the intended purpose of HOV lanes.
Neighborhood Electric Vehicles
"Neighborhood" electric vehicles, smaller, lighter, and more basic four-wheeled vehicles, are ZEVs certified to a special US DOT safety standard. This standard only allow their use on roads with posted speed limits of 35 MPH or less. Due to this restriction, they have not been eligible to receive a CAV decal. Use of these vehicles on ANY road or freeway with posted speed limits above 35 MPH can result in a citation, regardless of the speed at which traffic may actually be operating.
FAQs
Complete an Application for Clean Air Vehicle Decal (REG 1000) form. Check the “Replacement Decals” and/or “Replacement ID Card” box (as applicable), and check the appropriate reason box in Section 2. Mail to the address listed on the application. There is a $22 fee for replacement decals (check or money order).
What color is 2022 HOV sticker? ›
Purple: In January 2019, the DMV began issuing a new purple decal to replace the white and green decals for qualifying vehicles. This decal will be valid until Jan. 1, 2023.
What color is 2023 HOV sticker? ›
Purple stickers expire January 1, 2023; orange stickers expire January 1, 2024; blue stickers expire January 1, 2025; and yellow stickers expire September 30, 2025.
Can you still get HOV sticker in California? ›
If you buy or lease an electric car (or plugin hybrid) in 2020, you can apply for a shiny orange California carpool sticker that will let you drive solo in the HOV lane through the end of 2023.
How much does a California HOV sticker cost? ›
Mail the completed application with a $22 decal fee (no cash) to the address printed on the form.
Can you get a carpool sticker for a used car in California? ›
Used vehicles can qualify for the new stickers too, but only if they have never previously been registered in the Clean Air Decal program.
How long are the yellow HOV stickers good for? ›
CAV decals expire on January 1st of the fourth year after the year they are issued. This provides an access period of three full years plus the partial year from when the decal was issued. For example, if a decal was issued anytime in 2021, it expires January 1, 2025.
What does purple carpool sticker mean? ›
Beginning after the new year, some electric car owners will able to acquire a brand-new PURPLE sticker, which will allow them to access CA's carpool (HOV) lanes even as a lone commuter.
How long are CA HOV stickers good for? ›
Drivers who were issued red, green, or white HOV stickers in 2017 or 2018 can apply for the new decals after January 1, 2019 that will be valid for three years. People who buy new cars after January 1, 2019 and apply for a sticker will get to use the diamond lanes for up to four years.
Do you have to pay for HOV lane California? ›
Most HOT lanes allow carpools to use the lane for free (local signs will specify this and indicate if carpools must carry a FasTrak transponder). HOT lanes may not be used by vehicles restricted to a 55 MPH speed limit.
Absolutely—If you live in the U.S. and own an electric or hybrid car, your vehicle might be allowed access to carpool lanes.
Can Tesla use HOV lane in California? ›
If you're an electric vehicle (EV) owner in California, you're in luck! Not only can you save on rebates and taxes, but you're also eligible to drive solo in the state's high-occupancy vehicle (HOV or carpool) lanes.
What does yellow sticker on car mean? ›
Place the Yellow Dot decal on the rear driver's side window to alert first responders to look in the glove compartment for your medical information. Update the card annually yourself or bring it to your annual medical check-up. If you sell your car, remove the Yellow Dot sticker.
How do you get out of a HOV lane ticket in California? ›
A carpool ticket may be dismissed by using a trial by written declaration without a court appearance. We have helped thousands of drivers fight traffic tickets in the State of California for over ten years with a process called Trial by Written Declaration.
Do babies count for carpool lane in California? ›
Yes. All States with HOV facilities count children and infants as passengers. Pregnant individuals are counted as one seat-occupant. Why do HOV lanes often appear empty?
How can I tell if a car already had an HOV sticker issued in CA? ›
You'll either have to rely on the seller's word that the vehicle never had a California Clean Air Vehicle sticker or you'll have to call the DMV hotline and, when you finally get through, ask them to check the VIN to see if there's a sticker associated with it.
Can police use HOV lane in California? ›
The HOV Program Guidance provided by FHWA relating to exemptions for law enforcement vehicles is that vehicles operated by federal, state, or local law enforcement personnel may be permitted to use HOV lanes without meeting minimum-occupancy requirements, provided that they are clearly marked law enforcement vehicles ...
Are HOV stickers removable? ›
The California HOV stickers are designed to be very hard to remove once installed, and it always leave heavy residues behind which are a pain to remove. In some circ*mstances, removing the residues may even cause paint damage to the vehicle. This 3M clear protection film kit will protect against all of that.
What does yellow clean air sticker mean? ›
If you have a qualifying clean air vehicle (CAV) with a yellow, blue, orange or purple clean air decal, you are eligible to drive in the carpool lane on state-owned bridges* and in Bay Area Express Lanes as a single occupant and receive applicable toll discounts.
What is the yellow sticker on windshield? ›
That giant sticker is known as a windshield tag, and if it's on the car, it means that local law enforcement has marked the vehicle to be impounded as an abandoned vehicle. How an abandoned car is handled will depend on local laws.
A pink sticker is affixed to an unsafe vehicle, and the vehicle has been ordered off the road, i.e. it is not to be driven at all until rechecked and issued with a valid certificate of fitness or warrant of fitness.
What does a rainbow bumper sticker mean? ›
100% Rainbow Bumper Sticker
Come on, show your 100% support for LGBT rights, whatever your own preferences might be! This cut-out bumper sticker is the perfect way to show your consistent support and can be used on all vehicles.
What does yellow and green sticker mean? ›
Officially known as the Shoshin Untensha Hyoshiki (“Beginner Driver Sign”), this yellow-and-green emblem lets other drivers known to be cautious in the presence of a marked vehicle.
How fast can you go in the carpool lane in California? ›
CHP weighs in. The speed limit on most California freeways is 65, but plenty of drivers in the fast lane go 75 mph. They've learned they generally can go that fast without being ticketed.
What does HOV 2+ mean in California? ›
The METRO HOV system is predominantly HOV-2 (minimum 2 occupants), with some corridors designated HOV-3 (minimum 3 occupants) during peak hours. The system includes both barrier-protected lanes and lanes designated by pavement markings.
Where do you put California HOV stickers 2022? ›
Please place the large stickers on the rear quarter panels - one on each side of the vehicle, behind the wheel wells, with the State Seal in the up position. 2. Please place the small stickers on the right side of each bumper, front and rear, with State Seal in the up position.
Can I get CAV sticker at AAA? ›
AAA Members can take advantage of over-the-counter DMV services at all AAA offices in Northern California.
Can Tesla drive in carpool lane without sticker? ›
If you aren't displaying the sticker you aren't authorized to use the HOV lane regardless of what kind of car you are driving (unless you have enough people in the car, of course).
How much is a carpool ticket in California 2022? ›
A person caught driving in a carpool lane without a passenger will be charged with an infraction under California law. The offense is punishable by a fine of $490.00. Note that a violation does not result in any points being assessed to a driver's DMV record.
How are HOV lanes enforced in California? ›
To avoid ticket fines, any vehicle driving on an HOV lane in California must have the required number of passengers, which is typically indicated by traffic signs at the entrance of the HOV lanes. Usually, the signs indicate that vehicles with two passengers are allowed to use the lanes.
FasTrak allows you to use express lanes, qualify for carpool and bridge toll discounts, cross toll bridges without having to stop at the tollbooth and even pay for parking at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
How long does it take to get HOV sticker in California? ›
At this time DMV is processing HOV decal requests received June. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Your request should be processed soon. Once the check is cashed you should receive the decal in 2-3 weeks.
Do white HOV stickers expire? ›
CAV decals expire on January 1st of the fourth year after the year they are issued. This provides an access period of three full years plus the partial year from when the decal was issued. For example, if a decal was issued anytime in 2021, it expires January 1, 2025. Clean Air Vehicle Decals are non-renewable.
How do you remove a HOV sticker from a car? ›
How to safely remove HOV/CAV decals
- Clean the car to avoid picking up dirt while rubbing.
- Apply heat to the sticker using a hairdryer or a heat gun in the low setting. ...
- Peel a corner up and peel the sticker back, try to avoid it tearing by pulling it over on itself as you peel it away.
Do not cross solid, double lines whether they are white or yellow! If you are entering or exiting an HOV lane, you must change lanes only where there is a designated area or where you are crossing a single dashed line (white). In all cases, you must change lanes safely.
Does HOV ticket affect insurance in California? ›
HOV Violation Costs
Simply driving solo in an HOV lane usually doesn't impact the points on your drivers license or your insurance premiums.
Is the CAV decal program ending? ›
CAV decal program will end, and any remaining valid decals will expire on September 30, 2025.
How long are CAV decals good for? ›
Drivers who were issued red, green, or white HOV stickers in 2017 or 2018 can apply for the new decals after January 1, 2019 that will be valid for three years. People who buy new cars after January 1, 2019 and apply for a sticker will get to use the diamond lanes for up to four years.
Where I can get my Cav? ›
➢ Your educational institution will either (a) send your records to the relevant government agency e.g. Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), or Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) where you will get your records and the CAV document OR (b) issue you certified copies ...
Will a car wash remove stickers? ›
Most adhesive car signs are wash-safe, with the exception of EZ-Stick vinyl, as the machines may rip them off. However, most car wraps, car door decals, car lettering and window graphics that are adhesive-based will be fine.
Soak a rag or paper towel in rubbing alcohol. Cover the sticker you want to remove with the alcohol-soaked rag. Let it sit for about 30 minutes. The sticker should wipe clean afterward—but if it doesn't, gently scrape away any remaining residue with a plastic scraper.
