Maybe a lot of you were already aware of this, but I hadn't heard a thing about it! This is a pretty big deal since I think the majority of Hybrid owners in this area use the 95/395 HOV lanes much more often than they do the 66 & Dulles Toll Road. At least I've already got my Clean Special Fuel Plates on order, so I'll be okay until July of next year. This really sucks!

This is copied and pasted directly form the VDOT web site.

"New Law for Hybrids on HOV Lanes takes effect July 1, 2006

Hybrid vehicles with the required clean fuel plates are permitted to use the HOV lanes until July 1, 2007. However, beginning July 1, 2006, the Department of Motor Vehicles will issue clean fuel license plates with a new design to distinguish them from the existing clean fuel plate. Only those vehicles with plates issued prior to July 1, 2006 will be permitted to use the I-95-395 HOV lanes. Vehicles with the new plates will be permitted to use the I-66 and Dulles Toll Road HOV lanes but not the 95/395 HOV lanes. "

Their justification for this is total BS! They say that the added Hybrids are causing delays to actual HOV traffic. I drive the 95 HOV from Woodbridge to Rosslyn daily and know for a fact that the number of hybrids is still miniscule compared to the number of HOV violators. There are probably MORE HOV violators than there are valid HOV travelers! The lawmakers have decided that rather than actually spend the money to enforce the law, they will limit the "rich" (<-yes...that's the general perception of us) hybrid owners use of the lanes!

"I serve with the memory and pride of those who have gone before me for they loved to fight, fought to win and would rather die than quit."Night Stalkers Don’t Quit!