High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Systems
HOV - Rules and FAQs
HOV
Hampton Roads | HOV Northern Virginia
HOV exemption for hybrid vehicles extended to June 30, 2009 >>
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new hybrid law that takes effect July 1, 2006?
Consumers need to be aware of changes to
the law before purchasing hybrid and other clean fuel vehicles with the
intention of using HOV lanes on Interstates 95 and 395.
Vehicles registered for clean fuel license plates on or after July 1, 2006, will
not be exempt from the HOV-3 requirement on the I-95/395 HOV lanes from 6 to 9
a.m. or from 3:30 to 6 p.m. However, they will be permitted 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 will have a distinctly different design to help Virginia State Police
enforce the HOV restrictions.
Applications received by DMV for clean special fuels license plates on or before
June 30, 2006, will receive the current clean special fuel plate. Applications
received on or after July 1, 2006, will be issued the new plate, regardless of
the date the vehicle was purchased or special ordered. 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, 2007.
What happens on July 1, 2007, when the hybrid vehicle rule expires?
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, 2008.
The General Assembly approved a one-year extension which was signed into law by Gov. Timothy Kaine in April 2007.
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 DMV.
Not all hybrids qualify for clean fuel license plates but the following do:
- Toyota Prius
- Honda Insight
- Honda Civic
- 2005 Ford Escape
- 2006 Ford Escape
- 2006 Toyota Highlander
- 2006 Lexus RX400
- 2006 Mercury Mariner
- 2006 Honda Accord
- 2007 Toyota Camry
- 2007 Lexus GS450h
- 2007 Ford Escape
- 2007 Mercury Mariner
- 2007 Honda Accord
- 2007 Toyota Highlander
Can I use Virginia's HOV lanes in my hybrid vehicle even though my car is registered in Maryland?
In order for a hybrid vehicle to use Virginia's HOV lanes, you must have Virginia clean special fuel license plates. This is the only way we have to monitor the use of these lanes when there is only one individual in a car. In order for Virginia to honor Maryland plates, we would need a reciprocal agreement between the two states, and no such agreement exists to our knowledge.
I'm pregnant. Do I count as one person or two?
In the HOV world, you're one person. However, babies of any age count as a person.
I have a two-seater vehicle. Can I use the HOV-3 lanes?
No. To use the HOV-3 lanes, you must have three people in your vehicle.
If you do not have the minimum number of people in your vehicle when the restriction begins, you are a violator - even if you entered the lanes before the restriction began. The bottom line is, you must have the required number of people in your vehicle anywhere in the lanes during HOV hours.
Why are HOV lane restrictions lifted when there is an accident? Doesn't VDOT want to reduce congestion and pollution by encouraging carpooling?
VDOT does strive to encourage carpooling to reduce congestion and pollution on our highways, so we seldom lift HOV restrictions. Decisions to lift HOV restrictions are made in conjunction with, or at the request of the Virginia State Police Department. The police only make such a request if an accident is deemed to be a major incident that will take an extended period of time to clear.I know it is frustrating to see solo motorists enjoying the HOV lanes when you are "playing by the rules," but you will notice that even during snow conditions, HOV lane restrictions are not lifted unless the main lines are blocked.
Rules
During HOV operating hours, any vehicle that has the designated number of people (HOV 2 or 3) can use the HOV lanes. During all other times, they are open to all vehicles, except when the reversible lanes are closed.Fines for not having the required number of people in the vehicle:
On Hampton Roads HOV lanes:
First offense: $100 as of July 1, 2006
Northern Virginia HOV Lane Fines:
First offense: $125
Second offense: $250 plus 3
points on your driving record
Third offense: $500 plus 3 points on your driving record
Fourth offense: $1,000 plus 3 points on your
driving record
Exceptions to the rules
1. Motorcycles are permitted to use HOV lanes throughout Virginia during HOV hours.
2. Motorists traveling to and from Dulles International Airport on business are permitted to use I-66 inside the Beltway during HOV hours.
3. Vehicles powered exclusively by clean special fuel, including Hybrid gasoline/electric, hydrogen, hythane, methane, compressed natural gas, electricity, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, ethane, and solar energy and registered with clean special fuel license plates are permitted to use HOV lanes. Hybrid fuel vehicles (i.e., gasoline engines that are assisted with electricity) that are registered with clean special fuel license plates also qualify to use the HOV lanes. (See FAQ above for more information or visit www.dmvnow.com.)
Not all hybrids qualify for clean special fuel license plates, but the following do: Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, Honda Civic, 2005 Ford Escape, 2006 Ford Escape, 2006 Toyota Highlander, 2006 Lexus RX 400, 2006 Mercury Mariner, 2006 Honda Accord, 2007 Mercury Mariner, 2007 Lexus GS450h, 2007 Ford Escape.
4. Emergency vehicles (fire, ambulance, rescue) and law enforcement vehicles are exempt. Public utility vehicles are permitted to use HOV lanes when responding to emergency calls.
5. Trucks are permitted to use HOV lanes if they have the required number of people in Northern Virginia. Trucks are not permitted to use I-66 inside the Beltway at any time. Trucks are not permitted to use any of the HOV lanes in the Hampton Roads area.
6. Buses designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver.
7. Taxicabs with two or more people, including the driver.
