LOS ANGELES (AP) President Bush's signature on the $286 billion federal transportation bill will allow hybrid car owners to begin driving solo in California car pool lanes within weeks, officials announced Wednesday.

The policy change was designed to encourage drivers to buy the high-mileage, low-emission vehicles. But the announcement that hybrid drivers will be allowed to start applying Thursday for decals allowing them in the lanes came as a surprise to backers of the change, who had predicted that it might not be implemented for months.

Only three hybrid models Toyota's Prius and Honda's hybrid Civic and Insight will be allowed in the lanes. They are the only models that meet the eligibility standards of at least 45 miles per gallon and almost no smog-causing emissions, according to the office of the bill's author, Assemblywoman Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills.

Hybrid owners will have to send in applications and $8 fees to the Department of Motor Vehicles to receive their decals.

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