All CAV decals are for first time applications only by new owners of a qualifying vehicle. Decals expire according to the dates below and are non-renewable.
The California DMV began the new Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decal program on January 1, 2019 for qualifying vehicles that have never received a CAV decal. Each year the California DMV has established a new CAV decal color. CAV decals expire on January 1st of the fourth year after the year they are issued. This provides an access period of three full years plus the partial year from when the decal was issued. For example, if a decal was issued anytime in 2021, it expires January 1, 2025. Clean Air Vehicle Decals are non-renewable.
Please note that the CAV decal program will end, and any remaining valid decals will expire on September 30, 2025.
CAV Decals Issued on
Will be Valid Until
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
All decals expire on September 30, 2025
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
All decals expire on September 30, 2025
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
All decals expire on September 30, 2025
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Qualifying vehicles must meet one of the following:
Note that CNG and electric after-market retrofit/upfit vehicles on the eligibility list may require additional documentation by the applicant and time to verify eligibility once the DMV application is submitted.
If you are applying for a CAV decal for a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, and your gross annual income is above the thresholds provided below, you must choose between a CAV decal or a Clean Vehicle Rebate Program (CVRP) rebate. This is due to requirements of the CVRP program.
Be aware that a smaller subset of vehicles will qualify for the CVRP program than the CAV decal program, so be sure to refer to eligible vehicles for the CVRP program.
Gross Annual Income
Battery or Plug-in Hybrid
Hydrogen Fuel Cell
At or Above:
$150,000 for single filers
$204,000 for head-of-household
$300,000 for joint filers
CAV decal only
CAV decal
OR
CVRP rebate
(new owner has 60 days from date of purchase to choose between the two programs)
Between:
$135,000-$150,000 for single filers
$175,000-$204,000 for head-of-household
$200,000-$300,000 for joint filers
Under:
$135,000 for single filers
$175,000 for head-of-household
$200,000 for joint filers
CAV decal
AND
CVRP rebate*
CAV decal
AND
CVRP rebate