Hybrid owners in the DC Metro area are aware that every year the VA general assembly had to vote to extend the exemption for Hybrids to drive in the HOV lanes on I95/I395 and I66. If your hybrid was registered prior to July 1, 2006, you were allowed to drive in all of the HOV lanes (I95, I395, I66). If your Hybrid was registered before July 1, 2011 but after July 1, 2006, you could only drive on I66 HOVs.

This year they made the exemption permanent, meaning they will have to vote to rescind it, rather than vote to extend it. That's great news. Here's the story:

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/lo...150620995.html

Another interesting thing I just looked up is you can transfer your Clean Fuel Plates to a new Hybrid. For example, my 2003 HCH I is getting a little long in the tooth. I will be replacing it in 2013 with a new Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, but will be able to transfer my 'pre-2006' clean fuel plates to it, so I will still be able to drive on I95/I395.

Now the big question is will we be able to drive for free in the new HOT lanes?