How to Access California's Carpool Lanes with Your Hybrid Vehicle

In California, air pollution from vehicle emissions has become a major issue, prompting lawmakers to seek ways to encourage hybrid vehicle usage. If you own a hybrid or any qualifying low-emission car, you might be able to use the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, even with just one person in the car. To do this, you’ll need to apply for a decal, which must be displayed in your car window. (Note: California has capped the number of green decals available, and that limit has been reached. Additional applications will be added to a waiting list in case more decals are authorized.)

Choose a vehicle that meets California’s strict emission standards. Generally, cars that qualify as Transitional Zero Emission Vehicles (TZEV) will be eligible. This category includes plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines (hydrogen ICE). To qualify as a TZEV, the vehicle must:

• meet California's toughest tailpipe emission standards
• have no evaporative emissions
• come with a 15-year/150,000-mile emissions system warranty
• offer a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty on its zero-emission energy storage system

Check the California Air Resources Board website for a list of qualifying vehicles. The California Air Resources Board (ARB) provides decals for specific vehicle models that meet the state’s low-emission standards. Visit the ARB website to verify if your vehicle is eligible.

• From the ARB homepage, www.ARB.CA.gov, click on the “Carpool Stickers” link found under the Popular Pages section. This will direct you to the list of qualifying vehicles.

Compare your car's year, make, and model against the eligible vehicle list. The list of approved vehicles includes cars from 1991 to the present. The list is quite detailed, first showing the manufacturer names followed by the eligible models. It also includes specifics like exhaust standards, fuel type, engine size, and engine family number for each car.

• Be sure to note which decal your car qualifies for. Each eligible vehicle will be marked with either a green or a white decal, depending on its exhaust standard. Both decals provide the same driving privileges in carpool lanes.

Reach out to the ARB helpline for further assistance. If you need more information regarding your vehicle’s eligibility for the decal program, you can contact the Air Resources Board directly.

• The ARB helpline can be reached at (800) 242-4450.

Get an application form from the DMV or download it online. You can pick up the application form at any California DMV office. Alternatively, you can download the form from the www.dmv.ca.gov website.

• On the main DMV website, first select “Vehicle Registration,” then click on “Vehicle Registration Forms,” and find the application for Clean Air Vehicle Decals.
• If you have multiple qualifying vehicles, you will need to submit a separate application for each one.

Enter the vehicle’s identifying details. You will need to provide the car’s license plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN), as well as its year, make, and model.

Provide your personal information. If the vehicle is jointly owned by multiple individuals, both owners can apply using a single application form. Each owner will need to provide the following details:

• Full name, as listed on the car’s title and registration
• Driver’s license number
• Home or business address
• Mailing address, if different from the home or business address

Choose the decal you want. Section 2 of the application contains three columns. You will need to select at least one option from each column.

• In the first column, indicate whether your application is for a new decal, a transfer, an update or correction, or a replacement.
• In the second column, choose between a white decal or a green decal, depending on the exhaust standard of your vehicle. If you’re unsure, you can consult the “Carpool Stickers” eligibility list on the ARB website to determine your car’s exhaust standard.
• In the third column, select the decal type based on your vehicle’s power source. Options include electric, hydrogen fuel cell, liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, plug-in hybrid, or an alternate fuel conversion.

Fill out Section 3 if your vehicle is an enhanced clean air vehicle. This section is for owners of Enhanced AT PZEVs or TZEVs, and should only be completed if you are replacing a decal for a vehicle that was declared a total loss or deemed unrepairable. If applicable, provide the previous vehicle’s license plate, VIN, year, make, and model.

Complete Sections 4 and 5 only when applying for replacement decals. You will need to supply details about the original decals. Specifically, you must select the reason for the replacement (stolen, lost, damaged, or not received from a prior owner) and include a written statement of the circumstances surrounding the situation.

Sign the application form. The final step involves printing and signing your name. You will also need to include the date of your application and provide a daytime phone number where the DMV can reach you in case they have any questions.

Submit your application either by mail or in person. If you prefer to submit the application in person, you can drop it off at any DMV office. Alternatively, mail it to DMV, Special Processing Unit - MS D238, P.O. Box 932345, Sacramento, CA 94232-3450.

• There is an $8 fee that must accompany the application. If submitting by mail, include a check payable to the California DMV.
• If applying for a green decal, do not include the $8 fee with your submission. The state has already reached its authorized limit for green decals, and if the legislature approves additional decals, they will be issued at that time.

Wait for the arrival of your CAV decal. Generally, you should receive your CAV decal within about 30 days after submitting your application. If it does not arrive within this timeframe, you can contact the DMV to inquire about the status of your application.

• The original law set a cap on the number of green decals issued. While this limit has been extended, the current cap has already been exceeded. You may still apply, but your green decal application will be placed on hold until additional decals are available.

Place the CAV decal on your vehicle. Once you receive your decal, a placement guide will be included to help you position it correctly on your vehicle. You must apply one decal on each rear quarter panel, behind each rear wheel of the car.

Use the HOV lane. Once your decals are properly displayed on your vehicle, you’re authorized to drive in California’s HOV lanes, even if you’re driving alone.

Register for Fastrack toll payments in the San Francisco area. If you plan to drive in specific parts of San Francisco, you will need a Fastrack transponder for automatic toll payments in express lanes.

• To sign up for Fastrack, visit the official website at https://www.bayareafastrak.org/en/home/index.shtml.

• As of June 2007, all 85,000 green stickers have been distributed by the DMV. Only replacement stickers are being issued, unless the legislature decides to extend the cap.