HOV Rules

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 on business are permitted to use I-66 during HOV hours.

  • If your vehicle is powered exclusively by clean special fuel, including compressed natural gas, electricity, liquefied natural gas or solar energy, or it is a hybrid fuel vehicle (i.e., a gasoline engine that is assisted with electricity); and it is registered with clean special fuel license plates, you are permitted to use HOV lanes until July 1, 2006. Click here for more information.

  • Emergency vehicles (fire, ambulance, rescue), law enforcement vehicles, and public utility vehicles are permitted to use the 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.