"Sept. 30 is the last day solo drivers with the decal will be able to legally drive in the carpool lane. While state officials say they are looking for ways to bring the program back at some point in the future, they've confirmed that on Oct. 1, solo drivers could be pulled over for driving their EVs or hybrids in California's highway carpool lanes. And misusing the carpool lane could cost you a fine of at least $490."
"It's a really smart, cost-effective thing that has played an important role here in driving adoption of clean air vehicles and making Californians aware that these vehicles even exist. According to state data, this change will affect around half a million vehicles that currently have the CAV decal. If you're one of them, keep reading for what you need to know."
"In the past, the California Department of Motor Vehicles would send out decals with different colors depending on the year. Different colors have different expiration dates: Yellow and green decals, for example, will expire on Sept. 30. But no matter the color of your decal, it will be illegal to drive in the HOV lane alone after Sept. 30. As of Aug. 30, even if you've just purchased the newest EV on the market, you can no longer order a new CAV decal."
Solo drivers with California CAV decals lose legal access to HOV/carpool lanes after Sept. 30. Around half a million vehicles currently bear the CAV decal and will be affected. All decal colors become invalid for solo HOV use after Sept. 30, and no new CAV decals can be ordered as of Aug. 30. Solo drivers using the carpool lane after Oct. 1 can be pulled over and face fines starting at $490. Different highways maintain different occupancy requirements, with most requiring two people and some Bay Area routes requiring three. Options include carpooling or using public transit; officials have expressed disappointment over federal inaction while exploring ways to restore the program.
Read at Kqed
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