Changes Coming to I-66 HOV Law

If you drive on Interstate 66 and are thinking of buying a hybrid to take advantage of driving in the HOV lanes, you should make your purchase soon.

Currently, any hybrid vehicle that has a Virginia "clean fuel" license plate can use the HOV lanes on interstates 95, 395, 66 and the Dulles Toll Road until June 30, 2012.

But a new law will change things on I-66. The new law states that only hybrid vehicles with clean fuel plates issued before July 1, 2011, will be able to use the I-66 HOV lanes during rush hours. Police will ticket any hybrid that doesn't have a clean fuel plate issued before July 1.

So starting on July 1, the DMV will issue new clean fuel plates with a different design so police can spot violators easily.

A similar law took effect on I-95 and I-395 five years ago -– only hybrids with clean fuel plates issued before July 1, 2006 are permitted to use the I-95/395 HOV lanes during rush hours, according to VDOT.

Not all hybrids qualify for clean fuel license plates. Motorists should check the DMV Web site, dmvnow.com, for an updated list of eligible hybrids.

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