Under a new law approved by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Robert F. McDonnell, drivers of hybrid vehicles may continue to use the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on Interstates 66, 395, 95 and the Dulles Toll Road during rush hours, provided they have the required clean fuel license plate.
The new law leaves the hybrid exemption open-ended rather than providing a one-year extension as in previous years. This means that hybrids with the approved clean fuel tag (issued before the required dates below) can continue to use the HOV lanes until further notice. The new law requires VDOT to report annually to the General Assembly if traffic conditions worsen on any of the HOV facilities. The report would be used as the basis for the General Assembly to further restrict the clean fuel vehicle HOV exemption.
Motorists are reminded that there are different rules for legal hybrid vehicles on I-66 and I-95/395:
On I-66, only hybrid vehicles with clean fuel plates issued before July 1, 2011 are permitted to use the HOV lanes during rush hours. Police will ticket any hybrid vehicle that does not have a clean fuel plate issued before July 1, 2011.
On I-95 and I-395, only hybrids with clean fuel plates issued before July 1, 2006 are permitted to use the I-95/395 HOV lanes during rush hours. Police will ticket any hybrid vehicle that does not have a clean fuel plate issued before July 1, 2006.
On the Dulles Toll Road, the only requirement is that the hybrid vehicle has a clean fuel plate. Hybrids eligible for clean fuel plates are listed on DMV's website, www.dmvnow.com.
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