Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption

States are allowed to exempt certified alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) from HOV lane requirements within the state. Eligible AFVs are defined as vehicles operating solely on methanol, denatured ethanol, or other alcohols; a mixture containing at least 85% methanol, denatured ethanol, or other alcohols; natural gas, propane, hydrogen, or coal derived liquid fuels; or fuels derived from biological materials. PEVs are defined as vehicles that are recharged from an external source of electricity and have a battery capacity of at least 4 kilowatt-hours. States are also allowed to establish programs allowing low-emission and energy-efficient vehicles to pay a toll to access HOV lanes.

Vehicles must be certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and appropriately labeled for use in HOV lanes. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for planning and implementing HOV programs, including the low-emission and energy-efficient vehicle criteria EPA established. States that choose to adopt these requirements will be responsible for enforcement and vehicle labeling. The HOV exemption for AFVs and PEVs expires September 30, 2025 and low-emission and energy-efficient vehicle toll-access to HOV lanes expires September 30, 2019.

(Reference Public Law 114-94 and 23 U.S. Code 166)

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption

Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) displaying the Virginia Clean Special Fuel license plate may use Virginia HOV lanes on specified areas of I-64, I-264, the Dulles Toll Road, and in the City of Alexandria, regardless of the number of occupants. For HOV lanes serving the I-66 corridor, only registered vehicles displaying Clean Special Fuel license plates issued before July 1, 2011, are exempt from HOV lane requirements. Only dedicated AFVs are eligible; see the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles website for a complete list of qualifying vehicles. The annual fee for Clean Special Fuel license plates is $25 in addition to the prescribed fee for commonwealth license plates. This exemption expires September 30, 2025. For more information, see the Virginia Department of Transportation HOV Lanes website. (Reference Virginia Code 33.2-501 and 46.2-749.3)

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) and High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lane Exemption

Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) displaying the proper alternative fuel license plate may use HOV and HOT lanes, regardless of the number of passengers. Qualified AFVs may also use the HOT lanes toll-free. AFVs include electric vehicles and bi-fuel or dual-fuel vehicles that operate on natural gas or propane. Applicants must provide proof they have paid registration fees in full before receiving the license plate. This exemption expires September 30, 2025. For more information on fees and eligibility for the AFV license plate, see the Georgia Department of Public Safety websites. (Reference Georgia Code 32-9-4, 40-2-86.1, and 40-6-54)

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) and High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lane Exemption

Compressed natural gas, hydrogen, electric, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles meeting specified California and federal emissions standards and affixed with a California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Clean Air Vehicle sticker may use HOV lanes regardless of the number of occupants in the vehicle. First-time applicants must have a household income at or below 80% of the state median income. Purple stickers expire January 1, 2023; and orange stickers issued on or after January 1, 2020, expire January 1, 2024.

The California Department of Transportation must publish a report by June 1, 2023, detailing the number of stickers issued under this program. Vehicles originally issued white or green decals prior to 2017 are no longer eligible to participate in this program. Vehicles with stickers are also eligible for reduced rates on or exemptions from toll charges imposed on HOT lanes. For more information and restrictions, including a list of qualifying vehicles, see the California Air Resources Board Carpool Stickers website.

(Reference California Vehicle Code 5205.5 and 21655.9)

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) allows qualified alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) with an AFV license plate to use HOV lanes, regardless of the number of occupants. Qualified AFVs include vehicles powered exclusively by electricity, propane, natural gas, hydrogen, or a blend of hydrogen with propane or natural gas. This exemption expires September 20, 2025. For more information about vehicle eligibility and HOV access, visit the ADOT AFV website.

(Reference Arizona Revised Statutes 1-215 and 28-2416)

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption

Through the Clean Pass Program, eligible electric-drive vehicles may use the Long Island Expressway (LIE) HOV lanes, regardless of the number of occupants in the vehicle. Vehicles must display the Clean Pass vehicle sticker, which is available from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. To apply for the Clean Pass vehicle sticker, visit the Clean Pass Stickers for HOV Lanes on the LIE website. This exemption expires September 30, 2025. For a list of eligible vehicles and Clean Pass sticker application instructions, see the Clean Pass Program website.

Authorization for High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption

The Nevada Department of Transportation, in consultation with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, may establish a program allowing federally certified alternative fuel vehicles to operate in HOV lanes regardless of the number of passengers. (Reference Nevada Revised Statutes 484A.463)

Electric Vehicle (EV) High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption

Permitted EVs may operate in any Maryland HOV lanes regardless of the number of occupants. Qualified EVs must have a maximum speed capability of at least 65 miles per hour. To operate in HOV lanes, EV owners must obtain a permit from the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA). Each year the MDOT MVA and the State Highway Administration must report EV use in HOV lanes to the governor. This exemption expires September 30, 2022. For more information, see the HOV Permit Issuance for EVs website.

(Reference Maryland Statutes, Transportation Code 25-108 and 21-314)

Electric Vehicle and Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Exemption from Vehicle Testing Requirements

Electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and HEVs are exempt from state motor vehicle inspection and maintenance programs. For more information, see the Idaho Vehicle Inspection Program website.

(Reference Idaho Statutes 39-116B)

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption

Qualified plug-in electric vehicles, dedicated natural gas vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles may use North Carolina HOV lanes, regardless of the number of occupants. This exemption expires September 30, 2025. (Reference North Carolina General Statutes 20-4.01 and 20-146.2)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Decal and High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption

Propane, natural gas, all-electric, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are permitted to use HOV lanes, regardless of the number of passengers. Qualified vehicles must display the special clean fuel decal issued by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT); a limited number of decals are available. This exemption expires September 29, 2025. For more information about qualifying vehicles and decal availability, see the UDOT Clean Fuel Vehicle Decal and Permit website. (Reference Utah Code 41-1a-416, 41-1a-418, 41-6a-702, 59-13-102, and 72-6-121)

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) allows qualified alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) with an AFV license plate to use HOV lanes, regardless of the number of occupants. Qualified AFVs are defined as vehicles powered exclusively by electricity, propane, natural gas, hydrogen, or a blend of hydrogen with propane or natural gas. Qualified AFVs must not be capable of operating on any other fuel type. This exemption expires September 20, 2025. For more information about vehicle eligibility and HOV access, visit the ADOT AFV website. (Reference Arizona Revised Statutes 1-215 and 28-2416)