Driving solo in a carpool lane with a HOV sticker could soon be illegal

Q: I just got the HOV stickers for my new 2025 Audi Q6 eTron BEV. I knew the program is expiring on Sept. 30, but I figured that meant no more stickers would be handed out after that date, but the stickers already out there in the public would still be valid. So I was still surprised to see the certificate that comes with the stickers says, “Valid Until 9/30/25.” I thought the stickers were good for three years. Does this mean that everyone using these stickers to travel in the HOV lanes will start getting tickets on Oct. 1? This makes no sense.

– Eric Carlson, San Juan Capistrano

A: The next two months, Eric, drive, baby, drive solo in carpool lanes.

At midnight on Sept. 30, the Clean Air Vehicle Decal Program will likely die off after 26 years. If so, the next day those stickers that allow qualified, environment-friendly cars and trucks to go into carpool lanes with only the driver are going to be worthless.

Nearly a year ago, the California Legislature had extended the program’s end until Jan. 1, 2027. But the U.S. Congress must officially back that extension — and it doesn’t seem likely the Republican majority will go for that, making for a Sept. 30 exit.

“You may recommend to your readers that they not remove the decals until they hear confirmation from the federal government that no reauthorization is in the works,” said John Swanton, a spokesman for the California Air Resources Board, which oversees the list of qualified vehicles.

After all, if the feds do step in, who wants to go through the hassle of getting replacement stickers from the Department of Motor Vehicles?

For now, the DMV is accepting applications for qualifying vehicles until Aug. 29.

Just in case.

Back in 1999, the California Legislature kicked off the program, creating a perk to get more people to buy environmentally friendly vehicles. Typically, the sticker would be valid for a varying number of years. Now and then, a handful of new models would become eligible for a different sticker color.

Two significant changes have occurred in those 26 years that could play into any congressional decision — electric vehicles have become plentiful, and carpool lanes have become, oftentimes, congested.

As to enforcement, Honk asked the California Highway Patrol’s headquarters in Sacramento what its officers will do on Oct. 1 and beyond should the decal program fall by the wayside. Will there be a grace period?

He will report back to Honkland when he gets an answer — and if he hears about any movement on Capitol Hill.

HONKIN’ FACT: A 45-minute stay in a Glendale Memorial Hospital parking lot left a fee of $7,829 on Cate Daniels‘ credit card. The computer malfunctioned, it turned out, and the Parking Company of America, which runs the parking facility, was going to credit her account. (Source: CBS News Los Angeles)

To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk