SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8) – One of the big incentives for driving a Hybrid car in California has been access to the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) or carpool lanes when driving solo.
Starting January 2019, the easy ride will grind to a halt. More than 223,000 drivers will lose the privilege when their passes, which were issued prior to 2017, expire at the end of this year and they will not be able to renew them.
After January 2019, California will only allow those who purchased a clean air car between 2017 and 2018 to apply to renew the perk.
The change is meant to help clear up the HOV lanes, but for those unable to renew, their drive is about get longer.