If you have a qualifying clean air vehicle (CAV) with a yellow, blue, orange or purple clean air decal, you are eligible to drive in the carpool lane on state-owned bridges* and in Bay Area Express Lanes as a single occupant and receive applicable toll discounts. You must use a properly set FasTrak Flex or FasTrak CAV toll tag to receive a discount on Bay Area express lanes.
*Does not apply to the Golden Gate Bridge. All vehicles must meet the minimum passenger requirement to travel in the carpool lane on the Golden Gate Bridge.
Eligible Vehicles
Only CAVs with green, yellow, blue or orange decals are eligible for discounted and toll-free travel.
You must obtain your CAV decal from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). To learn how to apply for a CAV decal. Visit the DMV’s website(opens in a new window).
To learn more about the official list of what vehicle types are qualified to receive CAV decals and to see if your vehicle is eligible, visit The California Air Resources Board(opens in a new window)(ARB) website. You can also call the ARB’s toll-free number, 800-242-4450.
Choosing a Toll Tag
To receive discounts in Bay Area express lanes, CAVs must use a FasTrak Flex or FasTrak CAV toll tag. Learn which toll tag to order.
FasTrak Flex for I-580 Express Lanes
You can travel toll free in the I-580 express lanes by using a FasTrak Flex toll tag in your eligible CAV. The FasTrak Flex toll tag works like a standard FasTrak toll tag but has a three-position switch so you can indicate the number of occupants in your vehicle. In the 580 express lanes, the tag needs to be switched to 2 or 3 to travel toll free.
Please note that a FasTrak Flex toll tag is not only for CAVs, and anyone who qualifies to use the express lanes is able to put a FasTrak Flex toll tag in their vehicle. You can learn more about how the FasTrak Flex toll tag works in our toll tag FAQs.
FasTrak CAV for 101 San Mateo, 101/SR-85 Santa Clara, I-680 Contra Costa, I-880 and SR-237 Express Lanes
Solo drivers in eligible CAVs must pay a toll in the 101 San Mateo, 101/SR-85 Santa Clara, I-680 Contra Costa, I-880 and SR-237 express lanes, but will receive a 50% discount off the toll by using a FasTrak CAV toll tag. The FasTrak CAV toll tag is the only transponder that will communicate discounted toll rates to roadside toll equipment. If you have two or more people in your vehicle, you can travel in the express lane at a discount, but must use a FasTrak CAV or FasTrak Flex toll tag set to the correct position. See how eligible CAVs use express lanes to determine which position you should use.
Express Lanes
Bay Area Express Lanes are designated lanes that allow carpools, motorcycles, CAVs and toll-paying solo-occupant vehicles to bypass traffic congestion. Express lanes are usually identified with white pavement markings as well as signage above and next to the lanes. To use an express lane with your CAV you must use a FasTrak Flex or FasTrak CAV toll tag. Express lanes are available on 101 San Mateo, 101/SR-85 Santa Clara, I-580, I-680 Contra Costa, I-680 Sunol, I-880 and SR-237. Learn more about FasTrak Flex or FasTrak CAV toll tag settings in Express Lanes.
101 San Mateo, 101/SR-85 Santa Clara, I-880 and SR-237 Drivers
Drivers traveling alone in eligible CAVs must pay a toll. Drivers using a FasTrak CAV toll tag will receive a 50% discount on their toll. If you are driving alone in the express lane using a standard FasTrak toll tag or FasTrak Flex toll tag, you will be charged the full toll, even if you are in a qualified CAV.
If you have two people in your vehicle and are using a FasTrak Flex or FasTrak CAV toll tag, set the switch to position 2 to receive a 50% discount on the toll (2-seater vehicles carrying 2 people may travel toll free and should set the switch to 3+).
If you have 3+ people in your vehicle and are using a FasTrak Flex or FasTrak CAV toll tag, set the switch to position 3+ to travel toll free.
I-580
By using a FasTrak Flex or FasTrak CAV toll tag, eligible CAVs can travel in the express lanes toll free regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle. If you are using a FasTrak Flex toll tag, be sure to switch to position 2 or position 3+ on your toll tag.
I-680 Contra Costa
Drivers traveling alone in eligible CAVs must pay a toll. Drivers using a FasTrak CAV toll tag will receive a 50% discount on their toll. If you are driving alone in the express lane using a standard FasTrak toll tag or FasTrak Flex toll tag, you will be charged the full toll, even if you are in a qualified CAV.
If you have two or more people in your vehicle and are using a FasTrak Flex or FasTrak CAV toll tag, set the switch to position 2 or 3+ to travel toll free.
I-680 Sunol
Eligible CAVs can travel in the I-680 Sunol express lane toll free, regardless of the number of passengers. A FasTrak toll tag is not necessary.
If you have a FasTrak Standard toll tag, put it inside the Mylar® bag that came with the tag to avoid being charged.
If you have a FasTrak CAV or Flex toll tag, set it to position 2 or position 3+ to avoid being charged.
For more information about traveling in Bay Area express lanes, visit the 511 website(opens in a new window) or the FasTrak FAQ page.
Bridge Tolls
All seven state-owned bridges have at least one FasTrak-only lane in operation. For CAVs to be eligible to receive the discounted carpool toll rate at the state-owned toll bridges, you must:
- Display valid clean air decals
- Have a FasTrak account in good standing
- Travel through a designated carpool lane
Golden Gate Bridge
Solo drivers who cross the Golden Gate Bridge in a CAV must pay the full toll. However, if you have the required number of occupants in your vehicle to qualify as a carpool (3+), you may travel in the carpool lane and pay the discounted toll.
Order A Fastrak Cav Toll Tag
FasTrak CAV toll tags are only available online. You must have a copy of your DMV-issued CAV Certificate to obtain a FasTrak CAV toll tag.
A FasTrak CAV toll tag can only be used in the vehicle to which it is registered and cannot be transferred to other vehicles. If you have more than one eligible CAV you must order a FasTrak CAV toll tag for each vehicle. Eligibility for discounts will automatically expire when your clean air decal expires.
I have a FasTrak account.
Provide your account information and upload your certification form.
Order CAV toll tag as account holderI do not have a FasTrak account
Create a FasTrak account and upload your certification form.
Sign up for FasTrakPlease note that after your application has been processed, your FasTrak CAV toll tag will be mailed to you in 7-10 business days.
