The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has announced that the federal government will end the Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decal program. As a result, starting October 1, 2025, vehicles displaying a CAV decal will no longer be allowed to use carpool High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes with only one occupant or receive reduced toll rates in some areas. All vehicles must now follow posted vehicle occupancy requirements to use these lanes and pay any required tolls. Drivers who do not comply may face citations.
Federal regulations permitting states to issue CAV decals will expire on September 30, 2025. After this date, all CAV decals become invalid across the United States. The DMV stopped accepting applications for new CAV decals on August 29, 2025.
Director Steve Gordon commented on the decision: “This is a great program for climate-conscious Californians. We have issued over one million decals since this program was approved, which has helped to foster a change in how we drive. Californians are committed to lowering their carbon footprint and these decals helped drivers be good stewards of our highways and environment. By taking away this program, hundreds of thousands of California’s drivers will pay the price. It’s a lose-lose and we urge the federal government to retain this program.”
To inform affected drivers, DMV offices are displaying information about the end of the program and have posted notices on their website. Customers with an email address on file will receive direct notification from the DMV, and social media channels will also share reminders about the expiration date.
Caltrans plans to update electronic road signage with messages stating that clean air decals are not valid starting October 1.
California first authorized HOV lane access for single-occupant clean vehicles in 1999. The most recent reauthorization occurred in 2017, with the current version of the CAV decal program beginning January 1, 2019.
Previously, CAV decals were valid until January 1st of the fourth year after issuance—meaning they lasted for three full years plus additional months depending on when they were issued within a calendar year. Now all existing CAV decals become invalid as of October 1, regardless of issue date.
The DMV encourages customers to use online services for most transactions such as driver’s license renewals and vehicle registration rather than visiting an office in person. Customers can also sign up for paperless renewal notices by creating an account at dmv.ca.gov.
