Hybrid Vehicles Can Now Use Carpool-Only Lanes!

Special FasTrak™ Transponder and DMV-Issued Decal Required

Thanks to recent state and federal legislation, qualified single-occupancy hybrid vehicles are now permitted to use dedicated California High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes during carpool hours. To take advantage of this new option, hybrid vehicles must display a new state, DMV-issued decal, and, in the Bay Area, hybrid vehicles also must be outfitted with a special new hybrid FasTrak™ transponder.

Click here for instructions on registering your hybrid for the carpool lane.

Two-step process
To gain access to carpool lanes as single-occupant vehicles, all hybrids registered in the Bay Area must first obtain a special hybrid FasTrak™ transponder — even if the vehicle is not used to cross Bay Area bridges. Once the special transponder has been obtained, the vehicle owner then must apply to the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to obtain the special decal that is required of all hybrid owners who wish to access carpool lanes (as solo drivers) anywhere in California.

New dedicated FasTrak™ lane on the Carquinez Bridge!

On Friday, November 11, Caltrans added a third FasTrak™-only lane on the Carquinez Bridge. The new FasTrak™-only lane at the Carquinez Bridge is in toll Lane #9, immediately to the right of the two existing FasTrak™-only lanes. The latest conversion of this toll lane for the exclusive use of FasTrak™-equipped vehicles is part of the continuing effort to make electronic toll collection more convenient for motorists throughout the Bay Area.

Click here for more information about the new lane on the Carquinez Bridge.

New dedicated FasTrak™ lanes on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge!

On Sunday, January 22, 2006, Caltrans added two new FasTrak™-only lanes at the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge toll plaza. The new FasTrak™-only lanes were originally scheduled to open on Monday, December 19, however, rainy weather had temporarily delayed the necessary lane-restriping.

Caltrans converted Lanes #9 and 10, which are located near the middle of the toll plaza, into dedicated FasTrak™ lanes. The change is designed to reduce travel times for motorists approaching the Bay Bridge from Interstates 580 and 80. The conversion of these lanes is part of a continuing effort by Caltrans and the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) to increase FasTrak™ use on the Bay Area’s seven state-owned toll bridges. Check back for news updates about new FasTrak™-only lanes on other bridges.

Click here to view the new lane configuration at the Bay Bridge.