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New Law Prevents Hybrid Owners From Driving In Carpool Lanes

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Due to a new law in effect Friday, tens of thousands of hybrid car drivers will no longer be allowed to use the carpool lane.

"Out of 85,000 someone might forget about it or they're just not properly notified," California Highway Patrol officer Will Reyes said.

Hybrid cars, with the yellow "Access OK" stickers, first appeared in California's carpool lanes in 2005 as part of an incentive for drivers to buy low emission vehicles. The Department of Motor Vehicles mailed out letters on May 1 alerting hybrid owners of the change in the law.

Hybrid drivers caught in the carpool lane without an additional passenger will be fined.

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