State law authorizes air districts to assess Motor Vehicle Registration fees "to reduce air pollution from motor vehicles and for related planning, monitoring, enforcement, and technical studies necessary for the implementation of the California Clean Air Act of 1988." (Health & Safety Code (HSC) section 44220(b)). CARB’s 1998 Criteria and Guidelines, approved by the Board June 25, 1998, serves as a framework for the use of Motor Vehicle Registration Fees. 

CARB recommends four criteria for spending these funds in its 1995 Criteria and Guidelines: implementation of clean air plans, funding cost-effectiveness projects, leveraging co-funding, and advancing new technologies.

Additional information on the Motor Vehicle Registration fees program include:

• Addendum to 1995 Criteria and Guidelines
• Design of Successfully Demonstrated Projects
• Examples of Successful Projects

The methods to quantify the cost-effectiveness of Motor Vehicle Registration fees programs is the same as the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program.