State Hybrid HOV: AFVs displaying the Virginia 'Clean Special Fuels' license plate can use the Virginia HOV lanes, regardless of the number of occupants, until July 1, 2006. Hybrid vehicles that currently qualify for the waiver are the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, Honda Civic, 2005 Ford Escape, 2006 Ford Escape, 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the 2006 Lexus RX 400h. For more information, please visit the VA Department of Motor Vehicles . (Reference Virginia Code S33.1-46.2 and S46.2-749.3). *Note: despite technically needing a federal waiver to operate, Virginia's Hybrid HOV law is still in practice. Update: On 2/1/06, the Virginia Senate passed S.B. 454, a bill which would extend the hybrid HOV waiver until July 1, 2007 and increase the 1st and 2nd time fines for HOV restriction violators. The House companion bill, H.B. 1248, passed the House by a 99-1 vote on 2/14/05. This bill extends the waiver but does not increase the fine for violators. It was also amendded to allow only qualifying vehicles that obtain Clean Special Fuels license plates before 6/1/06 to continue using the HOV lanes regardless of number of occupants on I-95 and I-395 (other HOV lanes, such as I-66, will still qualify for all Clean Special Fuels license plate holders). In addition a $25/year charge for the license plates would be added. H.B. 1248 was referred to the Senate Transportation Committee to work out the differences between the two bills.