Department of Motor Vehicles

What is the "Clean Pass" Vehicle (CPV) Program?

The CPV program is a pilot program that is designed to encourage the purchase and use of vehicles that are very fuel efficient and that significantly reduce vehicle exhaust emissions.  The program is a joint effort by the NY State Department of Transportation (DOT), the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the NY State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

The DOT website has more details about the program.

How do I apply for the Clean Pass vehicle stickers?

You must have a vehicle that qualifies with a valid NY State registration (you cannot apply if you have a temporary registration issued by an automobile dealer).

You can either apply online (see instructions) or by phone. 

If you want to apply by phone

• call the DMV at 1-518-486-9786 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays that are not State holidays
• have the NY State vehicle registration card issued by the DMV available to provide information to the DMV

You cannot apply for the Clean Pass vehicle stickers at a DMV office.

There is no fee for the stickers. Your Clean Pass vehicle stickers will arrive by mail within 10 days.

If you do not receive your stickers within 10 days

• see the instructions to submit your application online and report the problem using the same process, or
• call 1-518-486-9786 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays that are not State holidays

What are the benefits of the Clean Pass vehicle stickers?

With the Clean Pass vehicle stickers on a qualified vehicle, you can drive the vehicle in a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane of the Long Island Expressway (LIE) at any time with the driver as the only vehicle occupant.  Law enforcement agencies have been informed about the stickers and the qualified vehicles.

How many stickers will I receive, and how do I place the stickers on my vehicle?

You will receive four Clean Pass stickers on a single sheet of paper with specific instructions about where to place the stickers on your vehicle.

You will receive two large stickers and two small stickers. To correctly use the stickers

• place one large sticker on the driver side of the front bumper
• place the other large sticker on the passenger side of the rear bumper
• place one small sticker on the lower rear quarter panel on the driver side, behind the rear wheel well
• place the other small sticker on the lower rear quarter panel on the passenger side, behind the rear wheel well

With the four stickers displayed, a police officer can see at least one sticker from any side of the vehicle.  If you display the stickers on a vehicle that does not qualify or you do not correctly display the stickers, you can receive a traffic violation ticket.

What can I do if I do not receive my Clean Pass stickers in the mail or my stickers are damaged, lost or stolen?

• see the instructions to submit your application online and report the problem using the same process, or
• call 1-518-486-9786 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays that are not state holidays

For information about why only certain vehicle models qualify, see the DOT website.

To request that your vehicle model be added to the list of qualified vehicle models or to ask questions about the operation of the CPV program, do not contact the DMV.  Contact the NY State DOT through the DOT website.