Starting October 1, California electric vehicle (EV) owners will no longer be able to use carpool lanes when driving alone. The California DMV is reminding drivers that the federal program authorizing Clean Air Vehicle decals is set to expire on September 30, ending a benefit that has been in place for decades.

Since 1999, the decals have allowed qualifying EVs and other clean-air vehicles to bypass traffic in high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, even with a single occupant. Many drivers also enjoyed reduced toll rates on certain roads and bridges. The program was last reauthorized in 2017, and over one million decals have been issued under the most recent version that began in 2019.

But with federal authorization ending, the DMV has stopped accepting new applications as of August 29. All existing decals will be invalid as of October 1, regardless of when they were issued. Drivers who continue to use carpool lanes without meeting posted occupancy requirements risk a citation.

The change is expected to impact hundreds of thousands of Californians who bought EVs partly for the carpool lane perk. Environmental advocates argue the decision could discourage EV adoption at a time when California is pushing to phase out gas-powered cars by 2035. “By taking away this program, hundreds of thousands of California drivers will pay the price,” said DMV spokesperson Marty Gordon, calling it a “lose-lose” for drivers and the state’s climate goals.

The DMV is notifying affected drivers by email and through notices at offices, online, and on social media. For now, EV drivers should prepare to follow the same carpool rules as everyone else starting October 1.