Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Find answers to common questions about the Driving Clean Assistance Program. From eligibility requirements to clean vehicle options and financing details, our FAQs provide all the essential information to help you navigate the program with ease. You can find comprehensive program information in the DCAP Consumer Guide (English Version) / DCAP Consumer Guide (Spanish Version) and the DCAP Terms and Conditions, available in both English and Spanish.
Program Status and Background
DCAP is launching a regional rollout organized by air districts and is open to all Native American and Indigenous communities across the state. Below are the DCAP regions along with their expected application opening dates. To view a list of air districts, please visit: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/california-air-districts.
Region 1
| Air District / County | Application Opening Date |
|---|---|
| Air District: Imperial
County: Imperial |
Now Open! |
Region 2
| Air District / County | Application Opening Date |
|---|---|
| Air District: Mojave Desert AQMD
County: San Bernardino*, Riverside* |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Eastern Kern APCD
County: Kern* |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Antelope Valley AQMD
County: Los Angeles* |
Now Open! |
Region 3
| Air District / County | Application Opening Date |
|---|---|
| Air District: Great Basin Unified APCD
County: Alpine, Inyo, Mono |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Mariposa County APCD
County: Mariposa |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Tuolumne County APCD
County: Tuolumne |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Calaveras County APCD
County: Calaveras |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Amador County APCD
County: Amador |
Now Open! |
| Air District: El Dorado County AQMD
County: El Dorado |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Placer County APCD
County: Placer |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Feather River AQMD
County: Yuba, Sutter |
Now Open! |
Region 4
| Air District / County | Application Opening Date |
|---|---|
| Air District: Northern Sierra AQMD
County: Nevada, Plumas, Sierra |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Lassen County APCD
County: Lassen |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Modoc County APCD
County: Modoc |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Siskiyou County APCD
County: Siskiyou |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Shasta County AQMD
County: Shasta |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Tehama County APCD
County: Tehama |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Butte County AQMD
County: Butte |
Now Open! |
Region 5
| Air District / County | Application Opening Date |
|---|---|
| Air District: North Coast Unified AQMD
County: Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Mendocino County AQMD
County: Mendocino |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Northern Sonoma County APCD
County: Sonoma* |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Lake County AQMD
County: Lake |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Yolo-Solano AQMD
County: Yolo, Solano* |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Colusa County APCD
County: Colusa |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Glenn County APCD
County: Glenn |
Now Open! |
Region 6
| Air District / County | Application Opening Date |
|---|---|
| Air District: Monterey Bay Air Resources District
County: Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Santa Luis Obispo County APCD
County: San Luis Obispo |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Santa Barbara County APCD
County: Santa Barbara |
Now Open! |
| Air District: Ventura County APCD
County: Ventura |
Now Open! |
Region 7
| Air District / County | Application Opening Date |
|---|---|
| Air District: South Coast AQMD
County: Orange, Los Angeles*, San Bernardino*, Riverside* |
03/25/25 |
| Air District: San Joaquin Valley APCD
County: Fresno, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare, Kern* |
03/25/25 |
| Air District: Sacramento AQMD
County: Sacramento |
03/25/25 |
| Air District: Bay Area AQMD
County: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano*, Sonoma* |
03/25/25 |
| Air District: San Diego APCD
County: San Diego |
03/25/25 |
*Counties fall in more than one air district. Individual address will be used to determine the Clean Cars 4 All (CC4A) program administrator the participant will be referred to.
DCAP provides education, funding, financial counseling, and referrals to lenders for lower-income Californians. The program provides support for recycling an older and high-polluting vehicle, and referrals to vehicle dealerships to purchase, or lease, an eligible clean vehicle. Clean vehicles include a new or used, battery electric vehicle (BEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), zero-emission vehicle (ZEV), zero-emission motorcycle (ZEM), or fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).
The California Air Resource Board funds DCAP from the General and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Fund. The program is administered by the Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC).
Eligibility and Application
Eligible applicants for DCAP must be California residents, and be income qualified, which means having an income at, or below, 300% Federal Poverty Level (FPL). For more information about household, residency, or income verification please see the DCAP Consumer Guide (English Version) / DCAP Consumer Guide (Spanish Version)
The application review process can take up to 30 days from the date of submission. However high application volume may cause further delays. Participants who reside in a Disadvantaged Community (DAC) will have priority. For more information on the needs-based processing please see the DCAP Consumer Guide (English Version) / DCAP Consumer Guide (Spanish Version)
No, down payment assistance grants do not need to be repaid if the 30-month ownership requirement has been met. For more information about the ownership requirements please visit the DCAP Consumer Guide (English Version) / DCAP Consumer Guide (Spanish Version)
a. Enter your address into the system.
b. Click on the yellow dot that appears on the map.
c. Use the arrows to scroll through the classifications that are displayed.
d. Look for “Disadvantaged Community: CES 4.0” or “Low Income Community.”
e. If you see a “yes” next to either of these classifications, you live in a DAC or LIC.
| Category | Most Common Documents |
| Income- Employed |
|
| Income- Categorical Eligibility |
|
| Income- Self Employed |
|
| Residency |
|
| An additional list of documents is available on the application checklist | |
No, DCAP cannot be stacked with any other CARB funded program. To find a stacking option please refer to Access Clean California’s benefit finder.
Incentive Amount
| Program Pathway / Grant Amount | Vehicle Recycling Required? / Charging Grant |
|---|---|
| Program Pathway: Clean Cars 4 All
Grant Amount: <300% FPL + Living in a Disadvantaged Community-
|
Vehicle Recycling Required?: Yes
Charging Grant: $2,000 for Level 2 Charger Installation or Charge Card |
| Program Pathway: Clean Cars 4 All
Grant Amount: <300% FPL Only:
|
Vehicle Recycling Required?: Yes
Charging Grant: $2,000 for Level 2 Charger Installation or Charge Card |
| Program Pathway: Financing Assistance
Grant Amount:
|
Vehicle Recycling Required?: No
Charging Grant: $2,000 for Level 2 Charger Installation or Charge Card |
Financing
Even with down payment assistance, many people still need a loan to purchase/lease a vehicle. DCAP has built a network of vetted, community-based lenders who offer loans capped at 8% interest rate to access DCAP’s lending network, individuals must participate in at least one financial counseling session with one of DCAP’s certified credit-loan counselors. For more information about financial counseling and loan support please visit the DCAP Consumer Guide (English Version) / DCAP Consumer Guide (Spanish Version)
Participants can get financing from a third-party lender, but this financing must have an interest rate below 8% and not exceed $45,000. Participants can also purchase/lease the vehicle in cash, without getting a loan, and will be asked to provide a receipt showing the cash payment.
Purchase and Lease
Vehicles that are BEV, PHEV, FCEV, or ZEM must be purchased from a franchise dealer, dealer that is a member of the Credit Union Direct Lending (CUDL) platform, or through a DCAP broker. In addition, used vehicles:
a. Must be eight model years old and newer, calculated by subtracting seven from the current calendar year of the transaction.
b. Eligible vehicles must be purchased or leased in California.
c. Cannot have been purchased/leased previously with CARB funds.
d. Must have 75,000 odometer miles or less.
e. Must be inspected by a licensed auto mechanic.
f. Must have a vehicle history report.
g. Cannot have an open recall per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Before finalizing the purchase or lease of the vehicle, participants must provide the dealership with their approval packet and, if applicable, a loan pre-approval letter. The dealership will use the grant as a down payment to reduce the vehicle’s cost.
Yes, however the vehicle and leasing terms still must meet program requirements
Clean Cars 4 All
For CC4A Participants, dealerships will need to reduce the state sales and use tax credit rate by 3.9375%. Dealerships and participants will need to sign the CDTFA-230-ZEV form titled “Partial Exemption Certificate- Zero Emission Vehicle Section 6368.2.” A copy of this document will be made available in the participant’s approval packet.
a. Must be model year 2010 or older.
b. The vehicle title must:
-
- Be free of Lienholders.
- Be issued under the participant’s name.
- Have an issued date that is at least one day prior to the application submission date.
- Salvaged titles are eligible so long as all other requirements are met.
c. Be a passenger vehicle, truck, SUV, or van with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less.
d. Operated continuously in California for at least two years prior to the application submission date with gaps during the period totaling no more than 120 days.
What if I want to recycle a qualifying vehicle, but don’t want to purchase or lease another vehicle?
Participants who choose the CC4A pathway may choose not to purchase/lease a replacement vehicle. Those participants can choose multiple alternative clean mobility options that include the following choices: public transit, car sharing, bike sharing, and electric bicycle (e-bike) passes for up to $7,500 total.
Dealerships
You may refer dealerships to the program by visiting our dealer page web page or by emailing our team at dealership@drivingcleanca.org. Dealerships must be approved before completing your purchase or lease.
Yes, the dealership may hold the vehicle until the payment has been received.
Charging
Participants who complete the purchase/lease of a qualifying plug-in hybrid or battery electric vehicle are eligible for a charging support grant of up to $2,000. Participants can choose between a public charging card, or a level 2 home installation. For more information on the charging options please visit the DCAP Consumer Guide (English Version) / DCAP Consumer Guide (Spanish Version)
Clean Air Vehicle Ride and Drive’s – FAQ’s For Attendees
A Clean Air Vehicle Ride and Drive is an event hosted by or in partnership with the Driving Clean Assistance Program that provides attendees with the opportunity to test drive a selection of clean air vehicles.
Learn about the Driving Clean Assistance Program incentives, test drive clean air vehicles, meet local dealership representatives and connect with other local resources.
Yes, you must be over 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license to participate in a test drive.
Yes, family and friends can join as passengers. However, the available seats may vary depending on the clean air vehicle. It is also important to note that a dealership representative will be in the vehicle with you to provide insight on the vehicle, answer questions and provide guidance on the test drive route.
The Driving Clean Assistance Program values your time and effort coming to these events. We have implemented a virtual queue system to avoid long waiting times in physical lines. This means that depending on your place in line, you may be able to enjoy everything else the event has to offer, while keeping your place in line for your test drive.
After registering for the test drives at the registration table, you will receive an event wristband which will grant you access to sign up to join a virtual queue for the vehicle you want to test drive. You will receive an initial text confirming your registration for your queue, as well as a link to our Virtual Wait Room where you can find more events and program information, including, how to apply for DCAP, your place in line, test drive route, participating dealerships and event sponsors. Please keep an eye on your place in line via the virtual wait room. You will also receive a text message when it is your time to join us for your test drive.
We work with local dealerships to provide clean air vehicles for the test drivers. Therefore, the selection will vary at each event. However, all test drive vehicles must either be a full battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric vehicle.
The Driving Clean Assistance Program is a brand-neutral program. This means that we do not favor any specific auto makers. Our goal at these events is to connect you with a variety of local clean air vehicle dealers.
No, all drivers must follow the designated test drive route. However, if there is something obstructing the designated route, please return safely to the event grounds and notify the event staff immediately.
Yes, you are welcome to attend as many events as you would like. We host these events across the state of California. To see a list of upcoming events, please visit our events page here.
There is no cost to participate in the Clean Air Vehicle Ride and Drive event.
To enter the drawing, you must have completed at least one test drive and submitted the post event survey. After your test drive, you will receive a text message with a link to the survey. You will have up to seven (7) days after the ride and drive event to submit your survey for a chance to win. Although you are encouraged to test drive more than one clean air vehicle at the event, you will only receive one drawing entry per event.
Event attendees interested in conducting a test drive are asked to provide the following information:
- Full name
- Valid California driver’s license information
- Contact and emergency contact information
- Name of vehicular insurance provider
Yes, we will be taking photos and videos throughout the event for intended use, e.g., marketing, social media, website. We respect your privacy and will obtain consent from all attendees through a photo release form. Attendees registering for a test drive will automatically consent to photo release policy. However, please let the event staff know if you do not wish to be photographed.
Clean Air Vehicle Ride and Drive’s – FAQs For Dealerships
Do you see an upcoming event that your dealership would like to participate in, or want to explore bringing an event to your community? Connect with the DCAP Dealer and Drive Events Engagement Manager via email at Events@DrivingCleanCA.org
We partner with local dealerships to make these events possible and do not charge any fees to participate.
Once you have submitted all required documentation, you can expect to receive a Dealership Events Packet with event instructions, run of show and test drive route.
No, dealership representatives are not responsible for getting event attendees into test drives. After attendees register, they will be added into virtual queues which event staff will coordinate. When it is time for a test drive, event staff in high visibility vests will guide drivers to the corresponding vehicle and connect them with the dealership representative.
Registered drivers will be wearing event wristbands. Attendees not wearing an event wristband cannot drive during a test drive but may be able to join as a rider.
Yes, if the attendees are receptive to sharing their contact information, you may collect these leads.
