California EV drivers who were used to driving solo in carpool lanes will now face citations if they continue to do so.

Vehicles with Clean Air Vehicle decals must follow posted occupancy requirements in high-occupancy vehicle lanes or risk a citation. Most carpool lanes require vehicles with more than two people.

The California DMV has been reminding motorists about this change since September.

EV drivers had a two-month grace period to adjust to the change, thanks to a state law. That period is now over, CHP confirmed to KTLA.

According to the Los Angeles Times, solo drivers face fines of up to $490.

The Clean Air Vehicle decals were valid for up to four years, but the federal government’s decision to end the program means all decals became invalid on Oct. 1, regardless of when they were issued.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles stopped accepting new decal applications on Aug. 29.

HOV lane access for single-occupant clean-air vehicles in California was first authorized in 1999 and last reauthorized in 2017. The DMV began issuing Clean Air Vehicle decals under the current program on Jan. 1, 2019. More than 1 million decals have been issued.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.