High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Systems

HOV Crackdown -- No excuses

In response to increasing violation rates, Virginia State Police are increasing enforcement of northern Virginia's High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. Violation rates have risen so much, the HOV lanes are becoming congested, slowing legitimate HOV users who are following the rules of the road.

Virginia State Police are increasing patrols on I-95, I-395, I-66 and the Dulles Toll Road in order to stop violators who don't obey the HOV restrictions. If you are unclear about the HOV restrictions, here are the rules:

• HOV lanes require vehicles to carry more than one person. I-95 and I-395 require at least three people in the vehicle (HOV-3). I-66 and the Dulles Toll Road require at least two people (HOV-2).
   
• If you do not have the minimum number of people in your vehicle when the restrictions begin, you are a violator - even if you entered the lanes before the restrictions began. To learn the HOV restriction hours, click here.
   
• Motorcycles are permitted to use HOV lanes throughout Virginia during HOV hours.
   
• Motorists traveling to and from Dulles International Airport to go to the airport to catch a flight or to pick someone up at the airport are permitted to use I-66 inside the Beltway (I-495) during HOV hours. Motorists traveling to or from Dulles International Airport are not exempt from HOV restrictions on I-66 outside the Beltway (I-495). You are not permitted to use I-66 inside the beltway during HOV hours if you are going to the airport to eat, get coffee, get gas or any other reason other than boarding a plane or picking someone up at the airport.
   

• Hybrid vehicles with the required clean fuel plates are permitted to use the HOV lanes until July 1, 2007. However, beginning July 1, 2006, the Department of Motor Vehicles will issue clean fuel license plates with a new design to distinguish them from the existing clean fuel plate. Only those vehicles with plates issued prior to July 1, 2006 will be permitted to use the I-95-395 HOV lanes. Vehicles with the new plates will be permitted to use the I-66 and Dulles Toll Road HOV lanes but not the 95/395 HOV lanes.

  Not all hybrids qualify for clean special fuel license plates. The following hybrids meet California's super ultra-low emission vehicle rating or the Environmental Protection Agency's equivalent and, therefore, qualify for a clean special fuel license plate: 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 More information is available at www.dmv.virginia.gov

   
• Emergency vehicles (fire, ambulance, rescue), law enforcement vehicles, and public utility vehicles are permitted to use the HOV lanes at any time. Public utility vehicles are permitted to use HOV lanes when responding to emergency calls.
   
• Trucks are permitted to use the HOV lanes in northern Virginia as long as they have the required number of occupants. 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.
   
• A four-mile stretch of HOV lanes on I-395 southbound is open to non-HOV traffic. The entrance ramp is located immediately south of Duke Street. However, non-HOV traffic must exit at Route 644 West.
   
• Buses designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver are permitted to use HOV lanes.
   
• Taxicabs with two or more people, including the driver are permitted to use the HOV lanes.
   
• For more frequently asked questions, click here.

This crackdown on HOV violators is intended to protect the benefits HOV lanes provide. HOV lanes have become a critical part of the northern Virginia transportation system. On I-95, the two HOV lanes carry more people than the four regular lanes during the rush hour period. When violators clog the HOV lanes, it reduces the timesavings the lanes offer, thus damaging the incentive to start carpooling, vanpooling or riding the bus. When fewer people rideshare, it slows everyone down and has the potential to harm air quality.

If you'd like to take advantage of the timesavings the HOV lanes offer, call Commuter Connections at 1-800-745-RIDE to find carpool partners, a vanpool or a bus that fit your commute.

If you'd like to know how many minutes you could save by using the HOV lanes, visit HOVcalculator.com

HOV Enforcement Task Force Report