High-occupancy Vehicle Lane - Qualifying Vehicles

Qualifying Vehicles

Qualification for HOV status varies by scheme, however the following vehicles may be included:

• Private cars and taxis with a minimum number of occupants (often 2 or 3), including babies of any age (but only after birth).
• Single occupant green vehicles, such as hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and battery electric vehicles.
• Single occupancy vehicles upon payment of a variable fee (high occupancy toll lane only).
• Motorcycles.
• Buses designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver.
• Emergency vehicles (fire, ambulance, rescue) and law enforcement vehicles.
• Public utility vehicles when responding to emergency calls.
• Bicycles.

In various places a system of slugging has developed where drivers pick up one or more additional passengers at pre-arranged "slug lines"; the driver shouts out his destination, and people in the line going to that destination enter the car on a first-come-first-served basis.