This plate is issued to qualifying vehicles registered after July 1, 2006.
This plate was issued to qualifying vehicles registered before July 1, 2006.
2012 Holiday HOV Schedule
HOV restrictions are lifted in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia on the following federal holidays during 2012:
Monday, Jan. 16 - Martin Luther King
Monday, Feb. 20 - President’s Day
Monday, May 28 - Memorial Day
Wednesday, July 4 - Independence Day
Monday, Sept. 3 - Labor Day
Monday, Oct. 8 - Columbus Day
Monday, Nov. 12 - Veterans Day
Thursday, Nov. 22 - Thanksgiving
Tuesday, Dec. 25 - Christmas
Ridesharing
HOV lanes allow users to travel faster, while also freeing up congestion in regular lanes. There are a variety of ways for you to qualify for commuting in HOV lanes. Some resources to help you:
Northern Virginia
Hampton Roads
Hybrid rules on Interstates 95/395:
- Hybrid vehicles licensed with clean fuel plates issued before July 1, 2006 are allowed to use the I-95/395 HOV lanes during HOV hours (6 a.m.-9 a.m.; 3:30 p.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday). The current exemption expires June 30, 2012. Hybrids with clean fuel plates purchased after July 1, 2006 are not allowed to travel on the I-95/395 HOV lanes during rush hour without three people on board.
Hybrid rules on Interstate 64 and Interstate 264 in Hampton Roads:
- Hybrids with clean fuel plates are allowed to travel in Hampton Roads on the I-64 and I-264 HOV lanes during rush hour with one occupant. The current exemption expires June 30, 2011.
Hybrid rules on Interstate 66:
- Hybrids with clean fuel plates issued before July 1, 2011 are allowed to travel in the HOV lanes on I-66 during HOV hours (6:30 a.m.-9 a.m. eastbound, 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m. westbound, Monday through Friday) with one occupant. That exemption will expire June 30, 2012. Hybrids with clean fuel plates purchased after July 1, 2011 are not allowed to travel on the I-66 HOV lanes during rush hour without two people on board.
Hybrid rules on the Dulles Toll Road:
- Hybrids with clean fuel plates are allowed to travel in the HOV lanes on the Dulles Toll Road during rush hour with one occupant. That exemption will expire June 30, 2012.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What types of vehicles qualify for clean fuel license plates?
Not all hybrids qualify for clean fuel license plates. A complete list of eligible hybrids is available on the DMV website. SmartCars are not hybrids, so they do not qualify for clean fuel plates.
How do I get clean fuel license plates?
The clean fuel plates cost $25 annually and you must apply for them through DMV. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) maintains the list of hybrid vehicles that qualify for clean fuel plates. If you have a hybrid vehicle not on the DMV list you cannot apply for clean fuel plates.
A clean fuel plate can be transferred to a new hybrid as long as the vehicle it is being transferred to qualifies for the clean fuel plate.
Can I use Virginia's HOV lanes in my hybrid vehicle even though my car is registered in Maryland?
No, 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.
I'm pregnant. Do I count as one person or two?
In the HOV world, you're one person. Babies of any age, however, 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.
I got a ticket for traveling alone in the HOV lanes -- but I had entered the HOV lanes several minutes before the HOV restriction went into effect. What gives?
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.
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 I-95/395 and I-64/264 reversible lanes are closed.
Fines:
On Hampton Roads HOV lanes: Each offense: $100
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. Not all hybrids qualify for clean fuel license plates. Motorists should check the DMV website for a complete list of eligible hybrids.
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. On most interstates in northern Virginia, trucks are permitted to use HOV lanes if they have the required number of people. Tractor trailer trucks are not permitted on the HOV lanes in the Hampton Roads area or on I-66 inside the Beltway at any time.
6. Buses designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver.
7. Taxicabs with two or more people, including the driver, are permitted.
