"Though the benefit technically ended for solo drivers a few months ago, the Department of Motor Vehicles offered a 60-day grace period that ended Monday. Now, solo drivers face fines of up to $490. With this, most carpool lanes require vehicles with more than two people. Here is what to know: How many people are affected? As of Aug. 14, more than half a million motorists statewide had an active decal on their vehicle to access carpool lanes."
"Federal legislation has allowed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to grant solo drivers in low-emission and energy-efficient cars to use the carpool, or High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV), lane. The goal was to promote the adoption of alternative-fuel vehicles and assist in meeting environmental goals that included reducing fuel consumption and pollution caused by congested freeways, according to the U.S. Department of Energy."
Solo drivers of qualifying low-emission vehicles in California have lost HOV lane access now that the DMV’s 60-day grace period expired. Enforcement can include fines up to $490 and most carpool lanes now require more than two occupants. More than half a million motorists held active decals as of Aug. 14, representing roughly 1% to 2% of California’s vehicle fleet across about 1,171 carpool lane-miles. Federal rules enabled states to grant solo HOV access to alternative-fuel vehicles to encourage adoption and reduce fuel consumption and freeway pollution. The federal authorization expired Sept. 30.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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