Violators can now face fine as California’s Clean Air Vehicle Decal program is officially over

LOS ANGELES () — Now that the California Department of Motor Vehicles’ Clean Air Vehicle Decal program is over and the grace period has ended, tickets are now being handed out.

The program ended in October, but the grace period ended this week.

No tickets were issued thanks to the grace period, but now, drivers could face a fine of up to $500.

Eyewitness News rode along with Ofc. Sargis Mkrtchyan with the California Highway Patrol on Tuesday as he patrolled freeways for violators.

Some drivers said they didn’t know the program had ended. The CHP is hoping the change will have a positive effect on people’s commute.

“We’re hoping that this alleviates traffic a little bit,” said CHP Officer Luis Quintero. “We hope it pushes drivers to carpool since you will be required to have a passenger in the vehicle.”

The program was launched in 2001 as an incentive to get California drivers into hybrids and electric vehicles, but the Trump Administration decided not to extend the program.

The California Air Resources Board said federal approval has historically allowed the program to continue, but that the Trump administration chose not to act.

Now, all vehicles, including EVs, have to have at least one passenger to use the HOV lanes.