RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Mike Salmon (703) 383-2055 mike.salmon@vdot.virginia.gov

NR08-28 March 18, 2008

HOV Exemption for Hybrid Vehicles Extended to June 30, 2009

Hybrid vehicles with the required clean fuel license plates will continue to be able to use the I-95/395, I-66 and Dulles Toll Road HOV lanes until June 30, 2009, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. The Virginia General Assembly approved a one-year extension which was signed into law by Governor Kaine on March 10.

In order for a hybrid vehicle to use Virginia’s HOV lanes during the morning and afternoon rush hours, the vehicle must have a clean special fuel plate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Not all hybrids qualify for clean fuel license plates but the following do: 2004 Honda Civic, 2004 Honda Insight, 2004 Toyota Prius, 2005 Toyota Prius, 2005 Honda Insight, 2005 Honda Civic, 2005 Ford Escape, 2006 Ford Escape, 2006 Toyota Highlander, 2006 Toyota Prius, 2006 Lexus RX400, 2006 Mercury Mariner, 2006 Honda Accord, 2006 Honda Civic, 2006 Honda Insight, 2006 Mazda Tribute, 2007 Toyota Camry, 2007 Lexus GS450h, 2007 Lexus RX400h, 2007 Ford Escape, 2007 Mercury Mariner, 2007 Honda Accord, 2007 Honda Civic, 2007 Toyota Highlander, 2007 Toyota Prius, 2007 Nissan Altima 2.5, 2008 Ford Escape, 2008 Honda Civic, 2008 Lexus GS450h, 2008 Lexus RX400h, 2008 Lexus LS600h, 2008 Mazda Tribute, 2008 Mercury Mariner, 2008 Nissan Altima 2.5, 2008 Toyota Camry, 2008 Toyota Highlander, 2008 Toyota Prius. Motorists should check the DMV Web site, www.dmvnow.com for an updated list of eligible hybrids.

Vehicles registered for clean fuel license plates on or after July 1, 2006 are not permitted to use the I-95/395 HOV lanes from 6 to 9 a.m. or from 3:30 to 6 p.m. However, they are allowed to use all other HOV lanes in Virginia during HOV hours, including I-66 and the Dulles Toll Road in Northern Virginia.

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has created a new clean special fuel license plate for hybrid vehicles registered July 1, 2006 and after. The new plate has a distinctly different design to help Virginia State Police enforce the HOV restrictions.

Vehicle owners with clean special fuel license plates registered before July 1, 2006 may renew or transfer their plates to a newly purchased qualifying vehicle after the new law takes effect and continue to be exempt from HOV requirements until July 1, 2009. Hybrid vehicles will not be able to use the HOV lanes when the High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes on I-95/395 are completed.

HOV Fines in Northern Virginia:
1st offense: $125
2nd offense: $250
3rd offense: $500 plus three points
4th offense: 1,000 plus three points

HOV Hours:
I-95/395 from Route 234 to the 14th Street Bridge
HOV-3
6:00 to 9:00 a.m. northbound
3:30 to 6:00 p.m. southbound

I-66 from the Capital Beltway to the Roosevelt Bridge
HOV-2
6:30 to 9:00 a.m. eastbound
4:00 to 6:30 p.m. westbound

I-66 from Route 234 to I-495
HOV-2
5:30 to 9:30 a.m. eastbound
3:00 to 7:00 p.m. westbound

Dulles Toll Road from Route 28 to the Main Toll Plaza
HOV-2
6:30 to 9:00 a.m. eastbound
4:00 to 6:30 p.m. westbound