VA Clean Special Fuel Plate

[Family Hybrid]

Just got ours in the mail today, despite DMV telling us it would take 4-6 weeks. It says that this version is not exempt from the I95/395 HOV lanes, which is fine since we don't live near there.

[boulder_bum]

Do you mean it IS exempt from using those HOV lanes?

What does it look like? Have pics?

Edit: Google image search says it looks like this...

[Family Hybrid]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boulder Bum @ Jun 19 2007, 06:44 PM) [snapback]464928[/snapback]</div>

Do you mean it IS exempt from using those HOV lanes?
What does it look like? Have pics?
[/b]

Nope. Is NOT. The plate you listed is the old plate which is exempt from any HOV lane in VA. The new plate is restricted from I95/395 HOV lanes, but is OK for any other VA HOV.

The rule from VA DMV



One other interesting thing to note, the rule I linked to above says the HOV exemption ends July 1, 2007. However, the VA legislature extended it for 1 more year.

The rule as listed by VDOT

[dishpan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Family Hybrid @ Jun 19 2007, 08:23 PM) [snapback]464960[/snapback]</div>

Nope. Is NOT. The plate you listed is the old plate which is exempt from any HOV lane in VA. The new plate is restricted from I95/395 HOV lanes, but is OK for any other VA HOV.

The rule from VA DMV



One other interesting thing to note, the rule I linked to above says the HOV exemption ends July 1, 2007. However, the VA legislature extended it for 1 more year.

The rule as listed by VDOT
[/b]

so the new one does work on 66 hov?
d

[Family Hybrid]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dishpan @ Jun 21 2007, 11:08 AM) [snapback]465729[/snapback]</div>

so the new one does work on 66 hov?
d
[/b]

However, they will be permitted to use all other HOV lanes in Virginia during HOV hours, including I-66 and the Dulles Toll Road in Northern Virginia.

[dishpan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Family Hybrid @ Jun 21 2007, 02:46 PM) [snapback]465899[/snapback]</div>

However, they will be permitted to use all other HOV lanes in Virginia during HOV hours, including I-66 and the Dulles Toll Road in Northern Virginia.
[/b]

awesome!


are there a limited number of these new plates, like in other states? does it matter when you bought your car?
i wonder why i cant just drive a prius without a special plate, since its obviously a hybrid.
d

[INPrius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dishpan @ Jun 21 2007, 02:50 PM) [snapback]465907[/snapback]</div>

awesome!


are there a limited number of these new plates, like in other states? does it matter when you bought your car?
i wonder why i cant just drive a prius without a special plate, since its obviously a hybrid.
d
[/b]

No limit. As long as it is a hybird.

[mcbrunnhilde]

California did it a much better way...to qualify for HOV access, the car has to get at least 45 mpg--so only the Prius and Civic hybrid qualified. Keeps hybrid SUVs out of the HOV lanes since their mileage is worse than many conventional cars.

[paco-shalom]

I've found that most states with these laws require a special sticker or license plate to take advantage of it.

When I lived in Maryland I inquired about driving my Prius in the VA HOV lanes (and a couple times I did it anyway on I-66). I was told that since Maryland does not reciprocate for Virginia tagged cars, they won't allow Maryland tagged cars in the HOV lanes.

In Arizona I had to purchase special tags before I could drive solo in HOV.

[dishpan]

why is a hybrid a "clean special fuel" anyway, according to VA? it still uses gasoline. its not like it run on vegetable oil.