High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Permit Issuance for Plug-in Electric Vehicles
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*The HOV permit program for plug-in electric vehicles ended on September 30, 2025. Applications will no longer be accepted.*
Drivers of plug-in electric vehicles and certain qualified plug-in hybrid vehicles, titled and registered in Maryland, are allowed to use the HOV lanes in Maryland regardless of the number of passengers, with a valid HOV permit displayed on the vehicle.
The permit, valid from June 12, 2023, through September 30, 2025, can be issued by:
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The dealership selling the vehicle;
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myMVA Online Services;
- Full service MVA branches;
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MVA certified title services; or
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Mail the application (VR-335) to the address below.
The vehicle must meet
all the qualifications listed below to obtain an HOV permit in Maryland:
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The vehicle must be made by a manufacturer and be manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads and highways;
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Is rated at not more than 8,500 pounds unloaded gross vehicle weight;
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Has a maximum speed capability of at least 65 miles per hour;
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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
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The vehicle is capable of being recharged from an external source of electricity.
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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,
but please note the current program ended on September 30, 2025. 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?
The application process is currently closed, as the program ended on September 30, 2025.
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.
When can I use the HOV lanes?
Permits are no longer valid, as the program ended on September 30, 2025.
Registered owners of plug-in electric drive vehicles and certain qualified plug-in hybrid electric vehicles with a valid 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).
Where do I place the permit?
Permits are no longer being issued.
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.
Contact Information:
Maryland Department of Transportation
Motor Vehicle Administration
Vehicle Services, Room 202
6601 Ritchie Highway, N.E.
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
For telephone questions:
MVA Customer Service Center: 1-410-768-7000
TTY/Hearing Impaired: 1-301-729-4563
