The CAV decal program is ending. The last date to order a decal is August 29, 2025. Decals are no longer valid after September 30, 2025.

Apply for a Decal (https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/license-plates-decals-and-placards/clean-air-vehicle-decals-for-using-carpool-lanes/)

Eligible Vehicle List (//ww2.arb.ca.gov/eligible-carpool-sticker-list)

The California DMV began the new Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decal program on January 1, 2019 for qualifying vehicles that have never received a CAV decal. Each year the California DMV (https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/license-plates-decals-and-placards/clean-air-vehicle-decals-for-using-carpool-lanes/) has established a new CAV decal color. 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 January 1, 2025. Clean Air Vehicle Decals are non-renewable.  

CAV Decal Expirations 

Qualifying Vehicles

Qualifying vehicles (//ww2.arb.ca.gov/eligible-carpool-sticker-list) must meet one of the following:

• California's zero-emission vehicle standard, these are 100% electric or hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles.
• Plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles certified (//ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/new-vehicle-and-engine-certification) to meet California TZEV standards.
• Dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles that meet both the California SULEV and Federal ILEV emission standards.

Note that CNG and electric after-market retrofit/upfit vehicles on the eligibility list (//ww2.arb.ca.gov/eligible-carpool-sticker-list) may require additional documentation by the applicant and time to verify eligibility once the DMV application (https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/application-for-clean-air-vehicle-decal-reg-1000-pdf/) is submitted.