Topic 3 · Rules of the Road: Traffic Laws in California
You drive a zero-emission car with a Clean Air Vehicle decal. May you use the carpool lane alone?
- Yes, but only outside peak hours
- Yes, the decal still allows single-occupant use
- No — the decal program ended and you must meet the posted occupancy requirement — correct answer
Why
The federal program that let a low-emission or zero-emission vehicle use the HOV lane with a single occupant ended on September 30, 2025. Since October 1, 2025 every driver must meet the posted occupancy requirement, decal or not. (dmv.ca.gov.)
Practise this in the real format
Reading one answer is not the same as sitting the test. The simulator runs the first-time adult form: 36 questions, 6 mistakes allowed, 83% to pass.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, rev. 6/2025), the document the DMV writes the real test from. Edited by Fernando Aguilera. Aprobify is not affiliated with the California DMV.
More from Rules of the Road: Traffic Laws in California
- A white rectangular road sign gives you:
- The traffic lights at an intersection are completely dark because of a power failure. You must:
- When you pull up alongside the vehicle in front of a parallel parking space, you leave:
- Broken white lines separate:
- If you are driving and become extremely tired, you should:
- Drivers under 18: