The federal Clean Pass program ends Oct. 1, which allows electric and hybrid vehicles in the HOV lane without a passenger anytime. Long Island drivers beware.

Traffic on the Long Island Expressway is about to get even worse.

Starting Wednesday, electric and hybrid cars can no longer drive in the HOV lane during rush hour without a passenger.

"It's unfortunate that I could take advantage of it and no longer can," said Kim Samuel, of Coram.

If caught, drivers will be ticketed.

The 2006 federal Clean Pass program allowed electric and hybrid drivers to use the carpool lane without a passenger anytime.

"Is it going to force more people to car up, to buddy up? I doubt it," said Peter Green, of Hauppauge

Fewer cars in the HOV lane could mean more cars in the regular lanes.

According to AAA, tens of thousands of Long Islanders drive electric and hybrid cars.

"According to the numbers News 12 has crunched, about 55,000 vehicles on Long Island are eligible for the program. You know, fully electric or partial hybrid electric vehicles. So, imagine an extra 55,000 vehicles in the normal, regular lanes on the Long Island Expressway," said Robert Sinclair Jr., with AAA Northeast.

The HOV lane first opened on Long Island in 1994.

Some drivers say the good news is cars with multiple passengers will get to their destination faster.

"It would free up the HOV lane for what it was originally purposed for," said Jeff Ritzmann, of Sayville.

The DMV says an HOV violation can be a ticket of up to $150, as many as two points on your license, and up to 15 days in jail.

Cars that qualified for the Clean Pass can still get toll discounts by using E-ZPass.