High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes - Rules and FAQs

This plate is issued to qualifying vehicles registered after July 1, 2006.

This plate was issued to qualifying vehicles registered before July 1, 2006.

HOV Hampton Roads | HOV Northern Virginia

HOV exemption for hybrid vehicles extended to June 30, 2010 >>

Hybrid rules on I-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 – 9 a.m.; 3:30 – 6 p.m., Monday – Friday).
Hybrids with clean fuel plates purchased after July 2006 are not allowed to travel on the I-95/395 HOV lanes without three people on board.
The DMV maintains a list at dmvNOW.com 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.
SmartCars are not hybrids, so they do not qualify for clean fuel plates.
The clean fuel plates cost $25 annually and you must apply for them through DMV.

Hybrid rules on I-66 and Dulles Toll Road:

Hybrids with clean fuel plates are allowed to travel in the HOV lanes on I-66 and the Dulles Toll Road during rush hour with one occupant. The current exemption expires June 30, 2010.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not all hybrids qualify for clean fuel license plates but the following do:

Toyota Prius (all years)
Honda Insight: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Honda Civic (all years)
Honda Accord, 2006 and 2007
Ford Escape, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009
Toyota Highlander, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009
Lexus RX400, 2006, 2007 and 2008
Mercury Mariner, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009
Toyota Camry, 2007, 2008 and 2009
Lexus GS450h, 2007, 2008 and 2009
Nissan Altima 2.5, 2007, 2008 and 2009
Lexus RX 400h, 2007 and 2008
Lexus LS 600h, 2008 and 2009
Mazda Tribute, 2008 and 2009
Toyota Camry Hybrid 2.4L, 2009

Motorists should check the DMV Web site, www.dmvNOW, for an updated list of eligible hybrids.

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. 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.

I got a ticket for traveling alone in the HOV lanes -- but I had entered the HOV lanes several minutes before the HOVrestriction 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 encouragecarpooling 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 I-95/395 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 licenseplates 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 (all years);Honda Insight: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006; Honda Civic (all years); Honda Accord, 2006 - 2007;Ford Escape, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Toyota Highlander, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009; Lexus RX400, 2006, 2007 and 2008; Mercury Mariner, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009;Toyota Camry, 2007, 2008 and 2009; Lexus GS450h, 2007, 2008 and 2009; Nissan Altima 2.5, 2007, 2008 and 2009; Lexus RX 400h, 2007 and 2008; Lexus LS 600h, 2008 and 2009; Mazda Tribute, 2008, and 2009; Toyota Camry Hybrid 2.4L, 2009

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.