California’s long-running Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decal program is officially over, and solo electric vehicle drivers are losing their shortcut through traffic.
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, federal regulations that allowed states to issue CAV decals expired on September 30, 2025. Starting October 1, 2025, vehicles displaying these decals are no longer allowed to use carpool (HOV) lanes with a single occupant or receive reduced toll rates. All drivers must meet posted occupancy requirements and pay full tolls or risk receiving a citation.
The DMV’s own Clean Air Vehicle Decals guidance explains why the program ended: federal authority under Section 166 of Title 23 of the United States Code expired at midnight on September 30, 2025. The FAQ clarifies that as of October 1, 2025, all decals are invalid, regardless of when they were issued, and drivers must follow standard HOV rules and full toll rates.
The California Air Resources Board reinforces those dates in its Clean Air Vehicle Decal overview, noting that all recent decal categories were valid only through September 30, 2025. That aligns with the DMV’s notice that decals cannot be used for solo HOV access after October 1.
The end of the program also impacts toll privileges. Reports confirm that CAV decals had allowed solo drivers to use discounted toll rates, including cutting Bay Bridge tolls from $8 to $4. With decals no longer valid, those discounts are being phased out along with HOV access.
Enforcement ramped up gradually. According to ABC7 News, California implemented a 60-day grace period to help drivers adjust before issuing tickets. That period ended on December 1, 2025. After that date, solo drivers using carpool lanes without meeting occupancy requirements face fines starting at about $490.
Coverage reinforces that EV and low-emission vehicles can no longer use the carpool lane alone and that fines can reach roughly $500, depending on the county and court fees.
For many early EV adopters, the news is a financial and practical loss. More than one million decals have been issued since the program began, with roughly 465,000 active across the state before the shutdown. The decals were a major selling point, offering faster commutes and reduced tolls. With those perks gone, electric vehicles in California will compete primarily on environmental benefits, long-term fuel savings, and maintenance costs rather than preferential lane access.
California’s broader climate strategy remains unchanged. The state still plans for all new light-duty vehicles sold by 2035 to be zero-emission under the Advanced Clean Cars II rule from the California Air Resources Board. The expiration of the CAV program simply marks the end of a temporary incentive — not the end of California’s commitment to electric transportation.
