Department of Transportation

New York's Clean Pass Program

UPDATE (September 4, 2019):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2020 Ford Fusion Energi PHEV
• 2020 Ford Fusion Special Service PHEV
• 2020 Honda Insight & Insight Touring HEV
• 2020 Jaguar I-Pace BEV
• 2020 Kia Soul BEV
• 2020 Toyota Corolla HEV
• 2020 Toyota Prius Prime PHEV
• 2020 Toyota Prius AWD HEV

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is in the process of adding these vehicles and will begin issuing stickers as soon as that process is complete.

Clean Pass is a program that allows eligible low-emission, energy-efficient vehicles to use the 40-mile Long Island Expressway High Occupancy Vehicle (LIE/HOV) lanes, regardless of the number of occupants in the vehicle.

The program was designed to expand the use of energy-efficient vehicles, providing Long Island commuters with incentives to save money, gas and time, while reducing stress during the daily commute on the LIE. Motorists whose estimated US EPA fuel economy rating averages at least 45 miles per gallon and meets the California Air Resources Board SULEV emissions standard will be allowed to participate by applying to the State Department of Motor Vehicles.

Clean Pass is a multi-agency program partnering three New York State agencies, the State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), the State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The passage of the federal transportation bill, Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) enabled states to allow low emission and energy-efficient vehicles to use HOV facilities regardless of occupancy. The most recent federal transportation bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) continues that allowance.

Prior to this pilot program, the HOV lanes were reserved for use by vehicles with two or more occupants, buses and motorcycles during peak travel hours - weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. At any other time, the LIE/HOV lanes are open to all traffic.

Based on certain federal emission and fuel economy standards, eligible vehicles include:

• Audi A3 e-tron, model year 2016 - 2018
• Audi E-Tron BEV, model year 2019
• Azure Dynamics Transit Connect Electric Van (aka Ford Transit Connect), model year 2012
• Azure Dynamics Transit Connect Electric Wagon (aka Ford Transit Connect), model year 2012
• BMW 1 Series Active E, model year 2011
• BMW 530e Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), model year 2018 - 2019
• BMW 530e xDrive PHEV, model year 2018 - 2019
• BMW i3 BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), model year 2014 - 2018
• BMW i3S BEV, model year 2018
• BMW i3 REX (Range Extended Battery Electric Vehicle), model year 2014 - 2019
• BMW i3S REX, model year 2018 - 2019
• Cadillac ELR, model year 2014 and 2016
• Cadillac ELR identified by L or M in the 5th position of the VIN, model year 2015
• Chevrolet Bolt, model year 2017 - 2019
• Chevrolet S10 Electric, model year 1997 - 1998
• Chevrolet Spark EV, model year 2014 - 2016
• *Chevrolet Volt with the Low Emissions Package identified by E, F, G, or H in the 5th position of the VIN, model years 2012 - 2014
• *Chevrolet Volt identified by C or D in the 5th position of the VIN, model year 2015 - 2018
• *Chevrolet Volt identified by C, D, or F in the 5th position of the VIN, model year 2019
• Chrysler Pacifica (PHEV), model year 2017 - 2019
• Fiat 500e, model year 2013 - 2017
• Ford C-MAX ENERGI Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) identified by P5C in the 5th, 6th, and 7th positions of the VIN and U in the 8th VIN position, model year 2013 - 2016
• Ford C-MAX ENERGI Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) identified by P5E or P5F in the 5th, 6th, and 7th positions of the VIN and U in the 8th position, model year 2017
• Ford Focus BEV, model year 2012 - 2018
• Ford Fusion ENERGI PHEV identified by P0P, P0S or BQ# in the 5th, 6th, and 7th positions of the VIN and U in the 8th position, model year 2013 - 2020
• Ford Fusion Special Service PHEV, model year 2020
• Ford Ranger EV, model year 1998 - 2000
• Honda Accord Hybrid, model year 2014 - 2015 & 2017 - 2019
• Honda Accord PHEV, model year 2014
• *Honda Civic Hybrid, model year 2006 - 2010
• Honda Clarity Battery Electric Vehicle, model year 2019
• Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), model year 2019
• Honda Clarity PHEV, model year 2018 - 2019
• Honda FCX Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle, model year 2008 - 2013
• Honda Fit Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), model year 2013 - 2014
• *Honda Insight Hybrid (automatic transmission only), model year 2005 - 2006
• *Honda Insight Hybrid, model year 2000 - 2004 & 2019 - 2020
• *Honda Insight Hybrid Touring, model year 2019 - 2020
• Hyundai Ioniq (BEV), model year 2017 - 2019
• Hyundai Ioniq Blue Hybrid, model year 2017 - 2019
• Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid, model year 2017 - 2019
• Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid, model year 2019
• Hyundai Kona (BEV), model year 2019
• Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid, model year 2016 - 2017
• Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Vehicle, model year 2015
• Jaguar I-Pace (BEV), model year 2019 - 2020
• *Kia Niro Hybrid, model year 2017 - 2019
• *Kia Niro FE Hybrid, model year 2017 - 2019
• *Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, model year 2018 - 2019
• Kia Optima PHEV, model year 2017 - 2019
• Kia Soul EV, model year 2015 - 2020
• Lexus ES 300h Hybrid, model year 2019
• Mercedes-Benz B Class Electric Vehicle, model year 2014 - 2015
• Mercedes-Benz B250e, model year 2016 - 2017
• Mercedes-Benz F Cell, model year 2011 - 2012
• Mini Cooper Mini E, model year 2008
• Mitsubishi i-MiEV, model year 2012 - 2013 and 2016 - 2017
• Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, model year 2018
• Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV identified by A in the 2nd position of the VIN, model year 2019
• Nissan Leaf, model year 2011 - 2019
• Smart fortwo Electric Drive (ED) Cabriolet and Coupe, model year 2011 and 2013 - 2018
• Subaru Crosstrek PHEV, model year 2019
• Tesla Model 3 Long and Mid-Range, model year 2018 - 2019
• Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus, model year 2019
• Tesla Model S, model year 2012 - 2019
• Tesla Model X, model year 2016 - 2019
• Tesla Roadster, model year 2008 - 2011
• Toyota Camry Hybrid (LE/XLE/SE), model year 2018 - 2019
• Toyota Corolla Hybrid, model year 2020
• *Toyota Prius AWD, model year 2019 - 2020
• *Toyota Prius C, model year 2012 - 2016
• *Toyota Prius Eco, model year 2016 - 2019
• *Toyota Prius Hybrid, model year 2004 - 2019
• *Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), model year 2012 - 2015
• *Toyota Prius Prime PHEV, model year 2017 - 2020
• Toyota RAV4 EV, model year 2000 - 2003 and 2012 - 2014
• Toyota Scion iQ Electric Vehicle (EV), model year 2013
• Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid, model year 2013 - 2016
• Volkswagen e-Golf Battery Electric Vehicle, model year 2015 - 2019
• Volvo S90 AWD PHEV, model year 2018 - 2019
• *Volvo XC90 AWD PHEV, model year 2018

*Please note that the 2011 - 2015 Honda Civic hybrid, 2010 - 2015 Honda Insight, 2012 - 2017 Toyota Prius V, 2014 - 2019 Ford Fusion hybrid, 2017 - 2019 Kia Niro Touring hybrid, 2016 - 2017 Volvo XC90 PHEV, and the 2019 Volvo XC90 PHEV models do not meet the fuel economy requirements of the program and therefore do not qualify. In addition, only the Chevrolet Volt models indicated above meet the emissions criteria for the program.

Clean Pass stickers are required for qualifying single occupant hybrid vehicles to use any section of the LIE/HOV system. Registered owners of eligible vehicles can apply to DMV to participate in the Clean Pass program. Vehicles bearing Clean Pass stickers can travel the 40 continuous miles of HOV lanes in both the eastbound and westbound directions along the length of the Long Island Expressway from Medford in the Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, to the Queens border. Please note that all commercial vehicles are prohibited from the left and HOV lanes - regardless of vehicle type. If you have a commercial vehicle, even with Clean Pass stickers, you may be ticketed while traveling in those lanes.

A key attribute of the LIE/HOV system is that it provides time-savings for peak-period commuters. Enforcement of the LIE/HOV regulations is provided by dedicated police patrols from the Nassau and Suffolk county police departments to maintain the integrity and reliability of the HOV lanes.

To Apply for a Clean Pass:

Applications will be taken over the phone, by calling the State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) at 1 (518) 486-9786. Please choose menu option 1 for "Registration and Titles", then 6 for "Clean Pass". DMV is open between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Department of Motor Vehicles has also developed an on-line process for obtaining Clean Pass stickers. Please visit DMV's website for more information.

Upon application approval, DMV will mail the stickers with instructions to the registered owner of the vehicle. Have your NYS vehicle registration card available to provide information to the DMV representative. There is no fee for the stickers. After the application is approved, your Clean Pass vehicle stickers and information about the program will arrive by mail within 10 days. For more information on applying for Clean Pass stickers, please visit the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles web page .

The Clean Pass program was initially implemented as a one-year pilot program in order for NYSDOT to monitor the effects of the additional vehicles in the HOV lanes. Under the Federal Regulations in SAFETEA-LU, MAP-21, and now the FAST Act, the state must discontinue allowing low emission and energy-efficient vehicles in the HOV lanes if they fail to maintain a 45 mph minimum average operating speed 90 percent of the time over a consecutive 180-day period during morning or evening weekday peak hour periods.

The Department has been monitoring the capacity and the speed of the HOV lanes for the Clean Pass program since March 2006. Though the program has continued beyond its one-year pilot period, the Department and its partner agencies will continue to monitor speeds and traffic volumes in the HOV lanes. If the performance of the lanes degrade below expected standards outlined in the current transportation bill, the Agencies will work together to make modifications to the program.

FAQ's

UPDATE (March 16, 2015):
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle model to the eligibility list:

• 2015 Tesla Model S

UPDATE (June 17, 2015):
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2015 BMW i3 BEV
• 2015 BMW i3 REX (range extended vehicle)
• 2014 Fiat 500e

UPDATE (July 8, 2015):
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle model to the eligibility list:

• 2015 Mercedes-Benz B-Class BEV

UPDATE (August 24, 2015):
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2016 Ford Fusion Energi PHEV
• 2016 Kia Soul EV
• 2016 Mitsubishi I-MiEV

UPDATE (September 29, 2015):
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2016 Smart Fortwo ED
• 2016 Volkswagen eGolf EV
• 2016 Volkswagen Jetta HEV
• 2016 Cadillac ELR
• 2016 Chevrolet Volt (Only models with "C" or "D" in the 5th character of the VIN)

UPDATE (November 17, 2015):
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2015 Ford Focus EV
• 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV
• 2016 Ford C-Max Energi PHEV
• 2016 Ford Focus EV
• 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid
• 2016 Mercedes-Benz B250e
• 2016 Tesla Model X

UPDATE (December 23, 2015):
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2016 Fiat 500e
• 2016 Nissan Leaf
• 2016 Tesla Model S
• 2016 Toyota Prius C
• 2016 Toyota Prius Eco
• 2016 Toyota Prius Hybrid

*Please note that the 2016 Toyota Prius V does not qualify.

UPDATE (February 4, 2016):
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2016 Audi A3 e-tron
• 2016 BMW i3 BEV
• 2016 BMW i3 REX

UPDATE (March 31, 2016):
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2017 Chevrolet Volt with "C" or "D" in the 5th position of the VIN
• 2017 Mitsubishi i-MiEV

UPDATE (July 11, 2016):
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle model to the eligibility list:

• 2017 Ford Fusion Energi

UPDATE (August 2, 2016):
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle model to the eligibility list:

• 2017 Fiat 500e
• 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid

UPDATE (October 11, 2016):
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle model to the eligibility list:

• 2017 BMW i3 BEV
• 2017 Chevrolet Bolt
• 2017 Hyundai Sonata PHEV
• 2017 Kia Soul EV
• 2017 Mercedes-Benz B250e
• 2017 Toyota Prius
• 2017 Toyota Prius Eco

UPDATE (December 23, 2016):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently determined that the following previously approved vehicle was added in error and does NOT qualify:

• 2016 Audi A3 e-tron

Vehicles that already have the Clean Pass stickers will continue to be able to participate in the program, however no new stickers will be issued after January 31, 2017.

UPDATE (January 4, 2017):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2017 Hyundai Ioniq (HEV)
• 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Blue (HEV)
• 2017 Kia Niro (HEV)
• 2017 Kia Niro FE (HEV)
• 2017 Kia Optima (PHEV)
• 2017 Nissan Leaf (BEV)
• 2017 Toyota Prius Prime (PHEV)

Please note that the 2017 Kia Niro Touring does NOT qualify for inclusion in the Clean Pass program as it does not meet the fuel economy requirement.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has also reinstated the eligibility of the following vehicles:

• 2016 & 2017 Audi A3 e-tron

UPDATE (February 2, 2017):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2017 Chrysler Pacifica (PHEV)
• 2017 Ford C-Max Energi (PHEV)
• 2017 Ford Focus (BEV)
• 2017 Hyundai Ioniq (BEV)
• 2017 Tesla Model S (BEV)
• 2017 Tesla Model X (BEV)

UPDATE (June 26, 2017):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2018 BMW 530e Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
• 2018 BMW 530e xDrive PHEV

UPDATE (September 18, 2017):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2018 Chevrolet Volt (Only SULEV model with "C" or "D" in the 5th position of the VIN
• 2018 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV
• 2018 Ford Fusion Energi PHEV
• 2018 Kia Soul EV
• 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid (LE/XLE/SE)

UPDATE (December 18, 2017):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2017 Smart fortwo Electric Drive (Coupe and Convertible)
• 2018 Audi e-Tron
• 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV
• 2018 Ford Focus EV
• 2018 Honda Clarity PHEV
• 2018 Hyundai Ioniq EV
• 2018 Hyundai Ioniq PHEV
• 2018 Kia Niro
• 2018 Kia Niro FE
• 2018 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
• 2018 Kia Optima PHEV
• 2018 Smart fortwo Electric Drive (Coupe and Convertible)
• 2018 Toyota Prius
• 2018 Toyota Prius Eco
• 2018 Volvo S90 AWD PHEV
• 2018 Volvo XC90 AWD PHEV

UPDATE (January 25, 2018):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle model to the eligibility list:

• 2018 BMW i3 BEV
• 2018 BMW i3S BEV
• 2018 BMW i3 REX
• 2018 BMW i3S REX
• 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
• 2018 Nissan LEAF
• 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range
• 2018 Tesla Model S
• 2018 Tesla Model X

UPDATE (March 14, 2018):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle model to the eligibility list:

• 2012 Toyota RAV4 Electric Vehicle (EV)

UPDATE (May 24, 2018):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle model to the eligibility list:

• 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid

UPDATE (July 2, 2018):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle model to the eligibility list:

• 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Blue
• 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
• 2018 Toyota Prius Prime Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)

UPDATE (September 20, 2018):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2019 BMW 530e
• 2019 BMW 530e xDrive
• 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV
• 2019 Honda Insight
• 2019 Honda Insight Touring
• 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Electric
• 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric
• 2019 Kia Soul EV
• 2019 Lexus ES 300h Hybrid
• 2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid (LE/XLE/SE)
• 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)
• 2019 Volvo S90 AWD PHEV

UPDATE (September 24, 2018):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2019 Ford Fusion Energi PHEV
• 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid
• 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
• 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Blue Hybrid
• 2019 Kia Niro Hybrid
• 2019 Kia Niro FE Hybrid
• 2019 Kia Optima PHEV
• 2019 Nissan Leaf

UPDATE (December 6, 2018):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2019 Chevrolet Volt (only "SULEV" version with "C", "D", or "F" in the 5th position of the VIN
• 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid (PHEV)
• 2019 Jaguar I-Pace (BEV)
• 2019 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

UPDATE (January 4, 2019):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid-Range
• 2019 Honda Accord Hybrid
• 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid

UPDATE (March 21, 2019):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2019 Tesla Model 3 Long-Range
• 2019 Tesla Model 3 Mid-Range
• 2019 Tesla Model S
• 2019 Tesla Model X
• 2019 Honda Clarity Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)
• 2019 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCV)
• 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)

Please note that the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range does NOT currently qualify for the program. Information regarding that model is still being obtained and reviewed.

UPDATE (April 15, 2019):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (Only vehicles with "A" in the 2nd VIN position)

UPDATE (April 22, 2019):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2019 Toyota Prius
• 2019 Toyota Prius AWD
• 2019 Toyota Prius Eco
• 2019 Toyota Prius Prime

UPDATE (May 14, 2019):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2019 BMW i3 REX
• 2019 BMW i3s REX
• 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus

UPDATE (May 30, 2019):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2019 Audi E-Tron BEV
• 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf BEV 
• 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf BEV

UPDATE (September 4, 2019):

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has recently added the following vehicle models to the eligibility list:

• 2020 Ford Fusion Energi PHEV
• 2020 Ford Fusion Special Service PHEV
• 2020 Honda Insight & Insight Touring HEV
• 2020 Jaguar I-Pace BEV
• 2020 Kia Soul BEV
• 2020 Toyota Corolla HEV
• 2020 Toyota Prius Prime PHEV
• 2020 Toyota Prius AWD HEV

NYS Department of Transportation
Last Update: September 4, 2019