High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) and High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lane Exemption

Compressed natural gas, hydrogen, electric, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles meeting specified California and federal emissions standards and affixed with a California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Clean Air Vehicle sticker may use HOV lanes regardless of the number of occupants in the vehicle. Blue stickers expire January 1, 2025; and yellow, burgundy, and green stickers expire September 30, 2025.

Vehicles originally issued white, green, orange, purple, or red decals are no longer eligible to participate in this program. Additionally, the Income-Based CAV Decal Program expired January 1, 2024. Vehicles with stickers are also eligible for reduced rates on or exemptions from toll charges imposed on HOT lanes. For more information and restrictions, including a list of qualifying vehicles and additional eligibility requirements, see the California Air Resources Board Carpool Stickers website.

(Reference Assembly Bill 2678, 2024 and California Vehicle Code 5205.5 and 21655.9)