Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration

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High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Permit Issuance for Plug-in Electric Vehicles

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If you have a qualified plug-in hybrid/electric vehicle and were previously unable to complete your HOV permit application, we encourage you to please visit myMVA Online Services and try again.

Drivers of plug-in electric vehicles and certain qualified plug-in hybrid vehicles, titled and registered in Maryland, will be allowed to use the HOV lanes in Maryland regardless of the number of passengers, providing they obtain and display an HOV permit on the vehicle.

The permit will be valid from June 12, 2023, through September 30, 2025, and will be issued by:

The dealership selling the vehicle;
myMVA Online Services;
Full service MVA branches;
MVA certified title services; or
Mail the application (VR-335) to the address below.

The vehicle must meet all the qualifications listed below to use the HOV lanes in Maryland:

The vehicle must be made by a manufacturer and be manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads and highways;
Is rated at not more than 8,500 pounds unloaded gross vehicle weight;
Has a maximum speed capability of at least 65 miles per hour;
Is propelled to a significant extent by an electric motor that draws electricity from a battery that has a capacity of not less than 4 kilowatt hours for 4-wheeled vehicles and not less than 2.5 kilowatt hours for 2 or 3-wheeled motor vehicles; and
The vehicle is capable of being recharged from an external source of electricity.
Note : The vehicle can be modified from the original manufacturer's specifications to a plug-in electric vehicle. Modified vehicles must be examined by the Maryland State Police prior to the issuance of a HOV permit.

HOV Permit FAQs Is my hybrid electric vehicle eligible for the HOV permit?

Only plug-in electric vehicles and certain qualified plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are eligible for the HOV permit. You can check your vehicle's eligibility by filling out the application online with myMVA Online Services.

How do I apply for a HOV permit?

To obtain a HOV Permit, you can apply online, mail the application, or take to an MVA branch.

The easiest way to apply for the HOV permit is online through the myMVA Online Services portal. Click on the direct link here or from the myMVA Online Services homepage, click on Vehicle Services, then on HOV Permit under Registration and Plates.

To apply via mail or in-person, you must first fill out the Application for Plug-In Electric Vehicle HOV Permit (form VR-335) in its entirety. You can then visit your local MVA full-service office to receive your HOV permit in person, or, mail the completed form along with the appropriate fees ($5) to the address at the bottom of the page. Do not mail cash.

If you are planning to purchase a plug-in electric vehicle from a Maryland dealer, the dealer will issue you an HOV permit at the time of purchase. If you applied previously, you must resubmit an application (VR-335 ) with the appropriate fees.

What is the cost to apply? There is a $5 fee for the HOV permit. Please DO NOT MAIL CASH. When can I use the HOV lanes?

Registered owners of plug-in electric drive vehicles and certain qualified plug-in hybrid electric vehicles with a permit may use any HOV lane at all times of the day regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle (including single-occupant vehicles).

The permit will be valid from June 12, 2023, through September 30, 2025.

Where do I place the permit?

The permit must be affixed on the rear of the vehicle in a visible position within 12 inches of the license plate, but not on the window.

Note: A new permit may be placed over an existing one.