Wiktor Wise
If you own an electric vehicle in California, you may be eligible for a Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decal and ID card. The CAV decal program, started by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in 2019, allows certain vehicles meeting specified emissions standards to use carpool lanes as a single occupant. To apply for a CAV decal, your vehicle must be registered in your name, and the address on your application must match the address on your vehicle registration card. The DMV will mail your decals within 5 to 30 days, and you will need to display them on your vehicle before using HOV lanes as a single occupant.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the decal | Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decal |
| Who issues the decal | California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) |
| Who is eligible | Vehicles that meet specified emission standards and are on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) list of eligible vehicles |
| Benefits | Allows single occupancy use of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) or carpool lanes (also known as diamond lanes) on California freeways, toll-free or reduced-rate passage in high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes |
| Cost | $27 |
| Validity | Expires on January 1st of the fourth year after they are issued, non-renewable |
| End date of the program | September 30, 2025 |
| Vehicles that qualify | 100% electric or hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles, Plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles certified to meet California TZEV standards, Dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles that meet both the California SULEV and Federal ILEV emission standards |
| Application process | Apply and pay online, submit all required documents and fees, upload a copy of your DMV-issued CAV ID decal card, provide license plate number, effective start date for the FasTrak CAV toll tag |
| Time to receive the decal | Mailed within 5-7 days or within 30 days |
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What You'll Learn
Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decal application
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decals to vehicles that meet specified emission standards. These decals allow vehicles to be operated by a single occupant in high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) or carpool lanes (also known as diamond lanes) on California freeways and grant toll-free or reduced-rate passage in high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes.
To apply for a CAV decal, your vehicle must meet California's zero-emission vehicle standard, meaning it must be 100% electric or hydrogen fuel cell-powered, or a plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle certified to meet California TZEV standards. The vehicle must be registered in your name, and the address on your CAV decal application must match the address on the vehicle registration card.
The DMV certifies vehicles' eligibility, issues CAV identification (ID) decal cards, and establishes a new CAV decal colour each year. Registered owners must apply through the DMV, either online or by submitting a request in person. There is a $27 fee for replacement decals, but no fee for a replacement ID card or for corrections/updates to your application.
Once your application has been processed, you will receive your CAV decal and ID card within 5-7 days, and you can then apply for a FasTrak CAV toll tag. It is important to note that CAV decals cannot be renewed and expire on January 1st of the fourth year after they are issued. The CAV decal program will end, and any remaining valid decals will expire on September 30, 2025.
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CAV decal eligibility
To be eligible for a Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decal and ID card, your vehicle must meet certain emissions standards and other criteria. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) establishes the official list of eligible vehicles based on emissions.
Vehicles that meet the specified emission standards and are on the CARB list of eligible vehicles may be issued CAV decals. These decals allow the vehicle to be operated by a single occupant in high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) or carpool lanes (also known as diamond lanes) on California freeways. They also grant toll-free or reduced-rate passage in high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes.
Dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles that meet both the California SULEV and Federal ILEV emission standards are eligible for CAV decals. Electric aftermarket retrofit/upfit vehicles on the eligibility list may require additional documentation and time to verify eligibility once the DMV application is submitted.
To apply for a CAV decal, the vehicle must be registered in your name, and the address on the CAV decal application must match the address on the vehicle registration card. The DMV must also complete a new vehicle's transfer of ownership before you can apply for a CAV decal.
CAV decals expire on January 1st of the fourth year after they are issued, providing an access period of three full years plus the partial year from when the decal was issued. For example, if a decal was issued in 2021, it will expire on January 1, 2025. CAV decals are non-renewable, and the CAV decal program will end on September 30, 2025.
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CAV decal placement
To be eligible for Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decals, your vehicle must meet certain emissions standards and be on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) list of eligible vehicles. CAV decals allow your vehicle to be operated by a single occupant in high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) or carpool lanes.
Once you have received your CAV decals, it is important to follow the instructions for placement. The paperwork states that the large stickers should be placed on the rear quarter panels, behind the rear wheels (on the rear bumper sides). The small stickers should be placed on each side of the front bumper. It is important to note that you should not attempt to remove or reposition the CAV decals after application, as doing so will destroy them.
Some people have expressed concerns about the aesthetics of having multiple stickers on their car. As a solution, some people have suggested using magnetic sheets or vinyl to place the stickers on, which can be easily removed. However, it is important to ensure that the stickers are visible to law enforcement, as you may be pulled over if you are the sole occupant in an EV not properly displaying the decals.
To ensure your CAV decals and ID card are valid, make sure that the information you have on file with the CAV Decal Program is correct and up-to-date. The address on your CAV decal application must match the address on the vehicle registration card. Keep the CAV certificate with the vehicle's current registration card and present it to law enforcement upon demand.
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CAV decal replacement
To obtain a Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decal replacement, you must submit an application through the DMV Online CAV decal process. The decal is available for vehicles that meet certain emissions standards and other criteria. This includes vehicles that are powered by electricity, LPG, or CNG.
The DMV will mail the replacement decals within 5 to 7 days, and the applicant must not drive as a sole occupant in HOV lanes until the decals are displayed on the vehicle. There is a $27 fee for replacement decals, and the replacement decals will have the same colour and expiration date as the ones initially issued.
If you find the original CAV decals after receiving the replacement, you must surrender the originals to the DMV with a letter of explanation. Send the original decals and letter to the following address:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Special Processing Unit – MS D238
PO Box 997601
Sacramento, CA 95899-7601
It is important to ensure that the information you have on file with the CAV Decal Program is correct and up-to-date for the decals and ID card to be valid.
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CAV decal expiration
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) establishes the official list of eligible vehicles for Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decals based upon vehicle emissions. CAV decals allow vehicles that meet specified emission standards to be operated by a single occupant in high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) or carpool lanes (also known as diamond lanes) on California freeways. They also grant toll-free or reduced-rate passage in high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes.
CAV decals are for first-time applications only by new owners of a qualifying vehicle. The California DMV began the new CAV decal program on January 1, 2019, for qualifying vehicles that have never received a CAV decal. Each year, the California DMV establishes a new CAV decal colour.
CAV decals expire on January 1st of the fourth year after the year they are issued. This provides an access period of three full years plus the partial year from when the decal was issued. For example, if a decal was issued anytime in 2021, it expires on January 1, 2025. CAV decals are non-renewable.
The CAV decal program will end, and any remaining valid decals will expire on September 30, 2025. Qualifying vehicles must meet California's zero-emission vehicle standard, which includes 100% electric or hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles. Plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles must be certified to meet California TZEV standards.
If you are applying for a CAV decal for a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, and your gross annual income is above a certain threshold, you must choose between a CAV decal or a Clean Vehicle Rebate Program (CVRP) rebate. This is due to the requirements of the CVRP program. It is important to note that a smaller subset of vehicles will qualify for the CVRP program than the CAV decal program.
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Frequently asked questions
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues CAV decals to vehicles that meet specified emission standards. These decals allow single-occupancy use of High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) or carpool lanes.
To apply for a CAV decal, your vehicle must be registered in your name. You must then complete the CAV decal application and pay online. The address on your application must match the address on the vehicle registration card.
The DMV will mail your decals within 5 to 7 days. You will not be allowed to drive as a sole occupant in HOV lanes until the decals are displayed on your vehicle. You will also receive a CAV decal ID card within 21 days.
