You can’t get a Clean Air Vehicle sticker in California anymore. The CAV decal program ended on September 30, 2025, when the federal law that authorized it expired, and the DMV stopped accepting applications on August 29, 2025.1California Department of Motor Vehicles. Clean Air Vehicle Decals No new decals are being issued, no replacements are available, and existing stickers no longer let solo drivers use carpool lanes.
Why the Program Closed
The sticker program only existed because federal law let states open HOV lanes to qualifying low-emission vehicles regardless of occupancy. That permission sat in 23 U.S.C. § 166, and it carried a hard sunset of September 30, 2025.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 23 USC 166 – HOV Facilities California’s implementing statute, Vehicle Code § 21655.9, was written to become inoperative the moment that federal authorization lapsed.3California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 21655.9 – High-Occupancy Vehicle Lanes
Congress did not renew it. Without federal backing, the state had no legal basis to keep the exemption running, and the DMV formally closed the program.
If You Already Have Decals on Your Car
The stickers on your bumper carry no legal privilege. As of October 1, 2025, every driver must meet the posted occupancy requirement to travel in an HOV lane, regardless of what decal is on the vehicle.1California Department of Motor Vehicles. Clean Air Vehicle Decals
You are not required to remove old decals.1California Department of Motor Vehicles. Clean Air Vehicle Decals They’re cosmetic now. Peeling them off is worth doing anyway, if only to remove any temptation to assume they still work.
The DMV is not refunding the $27 application fee for drivers who bought decals shortly before the program ended, and replacement decals are no longer issued.1California Department of Motor Vehicles. Clean Air Vehicle Decals
How California Carpool Lanes Work Now
HOV lanes operate on straight occupancy rules. Most carpool lanes require two or more people in the vehicle during posted hours. Some congested corridors require three or more, including stretches of I-80 and I-880 in the Bay Area and I-5 in San Diego. Signs along each route spell out which rule applies.4Caltrans. High-Occupancy Vehicle Systems
Motorcycles and mass transit vehicles can still use HOV lanes regardless of occupancy. In 3+ zones, vehicles originally designed to seat only two people can use the lane with both seats filled.4Caltrans. High-Occupancy Vehicle Systems
Driving solo in an HOV lane can bring a fine of roughly $490. That applies the same way whether your vehicle is gas, electric, or hydrogen fuel cell.
Do Not Reuse Someone Else’s Decal
If you buy a used EV that still carries decals from a previous owner, do not try to use them. Displaying a CAV decal on a vehicle it wasn’t issued for is a misdemeanor under California Vehicle Code § 21655.9, not just a traffic infraction.3California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code 21655.9 – High-Occupancy Vehicle Lanes Since the decals no longer grant any privilege anyway, the sensible move is to peel off any sticker that wasn’t tied to your own registration.
Other Clean Vehicle Incentives That Changed
The end of the sticker program coincided with the end of several federal EV incentives. The One Big Beautiful Bill, signed in 2025, eliminated the federal clean vehicle tax credits for vehicles purchased after September 30, 2025, meaning the $7,500 new clean vehicle credit and the $4,000 used clean vehicle credit are gone for 2026 purchases.5Internal Revenue Service. Clean Vehicle Tax Credits
The federal EV charging equipment credit survives a little longer. It covers up to $1,000, or 30% of hardware and installation costs, whichever is less, for home chargers purchased by June 30, 2026.
California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project closed back in November 2023.6California Air Resources Board. Clean Vehicle Rebate Project In early 2026, Governor Newsom proposed a $200 million zero-emission vehicle incentive program that would provide point-of-sale discounts for first-time ZEV buyers, with participating automakers matching the state dollar-for-dollar.7Office of Governor Gavin Newsom. What They’re Saying – Strong Support for Governor Newsom’s $200M ZEV Program As of early 2026 it was still a proposal and had not launched. Local utilities and air quality management districts also run their own rebates for EV purchases and charger installs; those programs change often, so check directly with your utility and air district for what’s currently on offer.