- Why this matters for EV drivers
- The most important update in 2025
- Two-month grace period for HOV lane access
- Does the grace period apply to express toll lanes like I‑15
- Enforcement after the grace period
- Rules and penalties for solo in HOV with an expired or missing CAV decal
- Where to mount a FasTrak transponder in a Lucid Air
- Current requirements to obtain CAV decals
- What documentation you need to apply
- Cost of a Clean Air Vehicle decal
- Where the CAV decal should be placed on a Tesla
- Can you display the CAV decal inside the car
- Deadline and validity rules
- How drivers were informed
- What to do if you already relied on CAV decals
- DMV stance on the federal change
- Quick reference table
- Diagram of what changes on October 1, 2025
- Why “decal details” still matter even after the program ends
This guide explains how to get a Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decal in California, what the two-month grace period means for HOV lane access, and what happens after the program ends. It also covers where to place the decal on cars like a Tesla or Lucid Air, and how enforcement may work.
Why this matters for EV drivers
Imagine you drive your EV to save time and money. One day you get a “CAV decal” and you can drive solo in carpool HOV lanes. But then the rules change fast, and your decal expires even if you already paid for it.
Now you’re stuck with a big risk:
- Keep driving solo in HOV lanes and you could get a citation
- Stop driving solo and you lose the benefit you planned around
The key is knowing the program timeline, the decal placement rules, and what law enforcement will do.
The most important update in 2025
Federal program ends October 1, 2025
The California DMV says the federal rules that allow states to issue Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decals expire September 30, 2025. That means:
- CAV decals are not valid starting October 1, 2025
- Vehicles must follow posted vehicle occupancy requirements
- Drivers who violate the law may receive a citation
- The DMV stopped accepting new applications on August 29, 2025
DMV also says CAV decals were valid for up to four years, but all decals become invalid on October 1, 2025 regardless of issue date.
Two-month grace period for HOV lane access
Drivers received (and discussed) a two-month grace period around the October 1 change. In practical terms:
- The violation is still considered illegal
- But officers may use a warning/education option for about two months
- Penalties tied to toll enforcement can still apply through recorded systems (for example, carpool camera/toll enforcement behavior)
Simple timeline
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| August 29, 2025 | DMV stops accepting new CAV decal applications |
| Sept 30, 2025 | Federal authorization ends |
| Oct 1, 2025 | CAV decals stop being valid for HOV solo and reduced toll rates |
| Oct 1 to ~early Dec 2025 | Grace period behavior may reduce ticketing for education, but driving solo remains a violation |
The “grace period” is about enforcement approach, not a legal permission slip.
Does the grace period apply to express toll lanes like I‑15
Based on how people in the community described it, the practical effect was tied to solo access rules in HOV lanes where stickers are needed for eligibility.
So the safest takeaway is:
- Treat the grace period as applying to the same solo-carpool benefit that the CAV decal supported
- Don’t assume you can ignore rules on paid express lanes just because the lane is “managed”
When in doubt, follow posted occupancy requirements and don’t rely on an expired or absent decal.
Enforcement after the grace period
What CHP may do
After the grace period ends, California Highway Patrol (CHP) enforcement is expected to focus on whether a driver has a valid CAV decal for solo HOV use.
In plain language:
- If the decal is expired or missing, CHP can treat solo HOV access as a violation
- Drivers may be cited
- Systems may still record toll/occupancy outcomes depending on the corridor rules
Rules and penalties for solo in HOV with an expired or missing CAV decal
Even if you had a decal before, the DMV says:
- After October 1, 2025, CAV decals are no longer valid
- Solo HOV lane access then conflicts with posted vehicle occupancy
Penalties can include a citation, and outcomes tied to toll systems may still apply.
Where to mount a FasTrak transponder in a Lucid Air
A common setup described by Lucid Air owners was:
- Place the FasTrak transponder behind the cockpit display
- Position it so it’s visible from the outside
- Keep it reachable for the driver when switching modes (like 1, 2, and 3+)
The goal is simple:
- The transponder must work for toll readings
- It must be installed so it’s not blocked and still allows switching as needed
Current requirements to obtain CAV decals
The DMV program page you’d follow explains the decal is for drivers who meet emissions and other criteria. The DMV description includes the purpose clearly:
- A CAV decal and ID card help allow single occupancy use of HOV (carpool) lanes
From the DMV’s federal-program announcement, you also get the “status reality”:
- No new decals are being accepted after August 29, 2025
- Existing decals lose validity October 1, 2025
Who can be helped by the decal
A CAV decal is tied to your vehicle meeting the DMV’s emissions and other eligibility rules. The benefit is recognized through the decal’s visible identification.
What documentation you need to apply
From the practical “application flow” described in the available guidance:
- You must have your vehicle’s registration ready
- You complete the DMV application form (REG 1000 was mentioned)
- You include proof like a vehicle registration copy
- You pay the fee (see next section)
- Processing was described as taking about two weeks
Because the DMV stopped accepting new applications on August 29, 2025, this is mostly relevant if you already applied earlier or are checking historical requirements.
Cost of a Clean Air Vehicle decal
One guidance source lists:
- $27 check or money order (or online payment with a card/bank)
So the cost was commonly described as $27.
Where the CAV decal should be placed on a Tesla
The key placement rule is that it must be:
- Affixed to the vehicle
- In the location the DMV specifies
- Visible from outside
A commonly stated Tesla rule is:
- The decal is typically placed on the rear quarter panels
- Do not place it inside the window or dashboard if you want it to count for HOV/toll benefits
Inside-display-only placement is described as not qualifying for the benefits because enforcement and toll recognition require outside visibility.
Can you display the CAV decal inside the car
No, the guidance says the decal must be properly attached and visible from outside. Keeping it inside the windshield or dashboard is treated as improper and can remove eligibility for HOV/toll recognition.
Deadline and validity rules
Deadline for the program
- DMV stopped accepting new applications: August 29, 2025
- Decals stop being valid: October 1, 2025
- DMV says decals expire based on issue date, but federal termination overrides everything
How long CAV decals were typically valid
- The DMV says CAV decals were good for up to four years
- The program expiration also followed a pattern where expiration was linked to the year issued (for example, a decal issued in 2021 expiring January 1, 2025 was used as an example)
- However, all decals become invalid October 1, 2025
How drivers were informed
The DMV announcement says drivers would be informed in multiple ways:
- Directly notify customers with an email address on file
- Social media reminders
- DMV office notices
- Caltrans electronic road signage messaging
Example signage message content described:
- “CLEAN AIR DECALS NOT VALID STARTING OCT 1”
What to do if you already relied on CAV decals
Since decals stop working on October 1, 2025, drivers should:
- Plan to comply with posted occupancy requirements
- Avoid driving solo in carpool HOV lanes expecting decal benefits
- Expect toll and lane access changes without a valid decal
DMV also clearly warns that violations may lead to citations.
DMV stance on the federal change
DMV describes the program as a “great program” and says:
- The federal decision causes many drivers to “pay the price”
- DMV urged the federal government to retain the program
It also states that because of the federal ending, DMV can’t issue new decals for solo HOV access beyond the end of the authorization.
Quick reference table
| Topic | Key point |
|---|---|
| How to get a CAV decal | Apply through California DMV (historically using REG 1000; requires registration and fee) |
| New applications | Stopped August 29, 2025 |
| When decals stop working | October 1, 2025 |
| HOV solo after Oct 1 | Not allowed if you rely on CAV decal eligibility |
| Enforcement | Citations possible after grace; warning behavior may occur during grace |
| Placement rule | Must be affixed and visible from outside |
| Tesla placement | Commonly rear quarter panels; not inside windshield/dashboard |
| Lucid FasTrak | Behind cockpit display, visible outside, reachable for mode switching |
| Grace period scope | Discussed as tied to sticker-based solo HOV benefit; don’t assume it covers all special cases |
Diagram of what changes on October 1, 2025
flowchart TD
A[You drive EV solo in HOV] --> B{Is CAV decal valid?}
B -->|Yes| C[You can use solo HOV benefit]
B -->|No or expired| D[You must follow posted occupancy]
D --> E[Possible CHP citation]
Why “decal details” still matter even after the program ends
Even though the federal change ends issuance, the rules you follow today depend on whether your vehicle has a valid decal status and whether the lane rules require posted occupancy.
So when searching “how to get clean air vehicle sticker,” the real answer for 2025 is:
- Understand the program timeline
- Know you can’t rely on CAV decals after October 1, 2025
- Place decals correctly only if you already have them and they were valid at the time