25.005 Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decals (VC §§5205.5 and 21655.9)

A vehicle that meets specified emission standards and is on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) list of eligible vehicles may be issued CAV decals that 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 and granted a toll-free or reduced-rate passage in high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes, as defined in the California Streets and Highways Code §149.

DMV deployed an online application for Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decals. The application creates an easier and more efficient user experience.

Procedures
To apply online:

• Ensure the vehicle is eligible for a decal by visiting the California Air Resources Board (CARB) website at ww2.arb.ca.gov or calling 1-800-242-4450.
• Visit dmv.ca.gov and select Online Services. Under Apply/Request, select Clean Air Decals or type “Clean Air Vehicle Decals” into the Search bar.
• Select the Start Application button.
• Pay with a debit/credit card or eCheck.
  NOTE:
  • If the vehicle was issued a CAV decal previously, the vehicle cannot be issued another decal, unless it is a replacement. This includes vehicles issued CAV decals in advance of the vehicle sale by a dealership.
  • The vehicle must be in the new owner’s name before they apply for a CAV decal.
  • New vehicle owner’s participation in the Clean Air Vehicle Decal program and the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) is based upon both the applicants ‘gross annual income and the vehicle type:  

To find out if a vehicle qualifies, customers may check the ARB website at arb.ca.gov.

Advance Purchase of CAV decals by Dealers

New vehicle dealers may purchase CAV decals in advance for eligible vehicles to promote the purchase and use of low-emission vehicles.

To apply for CAV decals in advance, a new vehicle dealer must:

• Apply and pay online.
• Provide the decal and corresponding certificate to the vehicle purchaser when the eligible vehicle is sold. If the customer refuses the CAV decal purchased in advance of sale, the decals must be returned to DMV with a REG 256 stating why they have been returned.
  
  The Special Processing Unit (SPU) must “annul” the decal’s issuance to the vehicle in the database. This will allow the vehicle to be issued a CAV deal at a later date.

If the dealer has not applied for CAV decals for the vehicle, the dealer must inform the customer to apply for the decals directly from DMV by submitting a request online.

Bay Area Applicants—An original Bay Area FasTrack receipt showing that a FasTrack toll account was issued to eligible clean air vehicles registered in the following counties must be submitted with an application for original or transfer of CAD decals:

• Alameda (01)
• Contra Costa (07)
• Marin (21)
• Napa (28)
• San Francisco (38)
• San Mateo (41)
• Santa Clara (43)
• Solano (48)
• Sonoma (49)

Direct applicants to Bay Area FasTrak at 511.org or 1-877-229-8655 for more information.

Junked Vehicles With CAV decals— CAV decals must be removed and destroyed when the vehicle is junked. Advise a vehicle owner and/or dismantler who submits an application to junk a vehicle assigned CAV decals to immediately remove and destroy the decals. Process the junk application as usual.

Application for CAV decals Only—The applicant must submit the following:

• Online CAV decal application.
• An original Bay Area FasTrak receipt showing that a FasTrak toll account was issued to the eligible clean air vehicle.
• The application fee. A fee is not due for vehicles registered to exempt agencies.

When an application is received for CAV decal:

• Verify that the vehicle record reflects MP “E”, “N”, “P”, “R” or “Q”.
• If the record does not reflect “E” , “N”, “P”, “R” or “Q” for a decal and the applicant states that the vehicle is powered by electricity, LPG or CNG, SPU must send the application to CARB or Policy for vehicle information.
• Advise the applicant that DMV will mail their decals within 5 to 7 days and not to drive as a sole occupant in HOV lanes until the decals are displayed on the vehicle.

Application for CAV decals With Other Transactions—The following must be submitted:

• All documents and fees required for the primary application.
• All documents and the CAD application fee.
• Advise the applicant that DMV will mail their decals (and any other indicia not issued) within 30 days and not to drive as a sole occupant in HOV lanes until the decals are displayed on the vehicle.

Replacement Decals—The following must be submitted:

• An application through the DMV Online CAV decal process.
• The CAV decal fee.

When an application is received for replacement decals:

• DMV will mail their decal (and any other indicia not issued) within 30 days and not to drive as a sole occupant in the HOV lanes until the decals are displayed on the vehicle.

Replacement CAV decals Identification (ID) Card—A replacement CAV decal ID card may be issued to replace an ID card that has been lost, stolen, or mutilated and can be applied for online.

Transferring CAV decals to a New Owner—When a vehicle displaying CAV decals is purchased by a new owner, they may transfer the decals to their name for no fee by applying online.