California EV drivers will have a two-month grace period to adjust to not driving in the carpool lane solo, thanks to a state law, since Clean Air Vehicle decals will expire on Sept. 30.
“The California Highway Patrol’s goal is always to educate the motoring public when there’s a change in the law,” CHP said in a statement to KTLA. “State law provides a 60-day transition period beginning Oct. 1, during which drivers with a valid clean-air decal will not be cited for driving alone in the carpool lane. After that, driving solo in the carpool lane could result in a citation.”
The DMV stopped accepting new decal applications on Aug. 29.
HOV lane access for single-occupant clean-air vehicles in California was first authorized in 1999 and last reauthorized in 2017. The DMV began issuing Clean Air Vehicle decals under the current program on Jan. 1, 2019. Over 1 million decals have been issued.
“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 drivers will pay the price. It’s a lose-lose, and we urge the federal government to retain this program,” DMV director Steve Gordon said in a statement.
The DMV will notify affected drivers directly by email, while notices will also be posted at DMV offices, on the agency’s website, and across social media.
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