Q: I just got the HOV stickers for my new 2025 Audi Q6 eTron BEV. I knew the program is expiring on Sept. 30, but I figured that meant no more stickers would be handed out after that date, but the stickers already out there in the public would still be valid. So I was still surprised to see the certificate that comes with the stickers says, “Valid Until 9/30/25.” I thought the stickers were good for three years. Does this mean that everyone using these stickers to travel in the HOV lanes will start getting tickets on Oct. 1? This makes no sense.

– Eric Carlson, San Juan Capistrano

A: The next two months, Eric, drive, baby, drive solo in carpool lanes.

At midnight on Sept. 30, the Clean Air Vehicle Decal Program will likely die off after 26 years. If so, the next day those stickers that

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