Highways are designed for higher vehicle speeds. However, anyone who has ever travelled on a 400-series road knows that this is not always the case. It seems more than ever that Toronto highways are facing a familiar gridlock. To this end, city planners have been looking into ways to reduce traffic congestion. This has led to the creation of High Occupancy Vehicle, or HOV, lanes. While they can help to reduce traffic congestion, they aren’t for every car. Let’s learn more about HOV lanes and the rules you need to follow to have a quicker commute.
What are HOV lanes in Ontario?
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes are designated lanes that can only be used by vehicles carrying two or more people or other specific types of cars, such as licensed taxis and motorcycles. In Ontario, HOV lanes are on the far-left side of the highway and are clearly marked by signs and pavement markings.
Benefits of HOV Lanes In Ontario
- They encourage carpooling and support hybrid and electric vehicles.
- HOV lanes in Ontario help to manage congestion
- They reduce transportation-related emissions and promote greener ways of travelling
- They optimize infrastructure investments – having fewer vehicles on the roads
How Do I Use An HOV Lane?
Image courtesy of mto.gov.on.ca
HOV lanes are open to any vehicle to use if you have at least two people in the vehicle, including the driver. These vehicle types include:
- Car
- Van or light truck
- Commercial truck less than 6.5 meters long with a gross weight of 4,500 kg or less
- Vehicle towing a trailer with a combined vehicle-trailer length of less than 6.5 meters
Are There Exceptions To The HOV Lane Rules?
While there are rules surrounding the use of HOV lanes, there are exceptions. The following vehicles can use the HOV lanes at all times, regardless of how many passengers they are carrying:
- Buses of all types
- Licensed taxis and airport limousines
- Emergency vehicles
- Vehicles with Ontario green license plates
- Motorcycles
It’s important to note that some HOV lanes on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW), Highway 410 and Highway 403 can also be used by solo drivers with a High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lane permit as part of Ontario’s HOT lanes pilot program. To learn more, please check out the Ontario website!
HOV Lanes in Ontario: The Facts
- HOV lanes in Ontario are being added to most of the 400-series highways, but as of 2020, they exist on portions of the 400, 401, 404, 410 and 427.
- There is a striped buffer zone that separates the HOV lane from the rest of the highway. Don’t cross that zone once in or outside of the HOV lane!
- Vehicles with “green” licence plates can use these lanes at any time. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and full-battery electric vehicles are eligible for those plates, if you have one!
- Buses and emergency vehicles are permitted to use the lanes at any time.
If you see a sign that says HOV 3+, this means there must be more than two passengers and a driver in the vehicle for the lane to be used.
To use HOV lanes, be sure to look out for signs above the left lane:
- HOV signs are located in the leftmost lane of the highway
- Markings on the road, including a striped buffer zone and diamond markings. The buffer zone separates the HOV lane from the rest of the lanes. If you don’t meet the lane requirements, you must change lanes before the HOV begins.
- It is only legal to enter an HOV lane when overhead signs permit you to do so. White broken lines clearly define the road paintings. Failure to join when it is legal can result in a ticket.
What Are The Fines For Improper Use Of HOV Lanes?
The OPP polices the HOV lanes as part of their regular highway enforcement. You can receive a traffic ticket for:
- Not having two or more people in your vehicle
- Entering or exiting the HOV lane by crossing the striped buffer zone or solid line
- Using plastic objects or mannequins to mimic more people in your vehicle
- Driving over the posted speed limit
While the $110 fine for improper use of these lanes may not deter some, three demerit points may give others pause. Unlike a red-light camera or speed camera ticket, your insurance can find out about this one.
Green Vehicles and HOV Lanes In Ontario
If you have a hybrid vehicle or your vehicle carries a green licence plate, you can use these lanes anytime – even if you are alone in the car! As High Occupancy Vehicle lanes help curb emissions by encouraging carpooling and/or driving ‘green’ vehicles, you can get to where you are going a little bit quicker, helping improve air quality and reduce the number of cars on the road.
For a faster commute without necessarily carpooling, there is now a long list of vehicles that meet the province’s “green” designation. Every year, it is growing as manufacturers produce more and more BEVs, PHEVs, and HFCVs. From Audi to Volkswagen, there are currently 30 different brands with products that qualify for a green plate. However, driving one of these vehicles doesn’t qualify you to use the HOV lane unless you’ve applied for and are sporting the actual green licence plates. Don’t worry, though, they cost the same as standard plates.
Do HOV Lanes Work?
High-occupancy vehicle lanes have been shown to increase carpooling, and overall highway capacity is improving. Studies also show that travel times improve once lanes open on a highway.
HOV Lanes: FAQs
Why Are They On The Left Side Of The Highway?
It is safer to locate a highway HOV lane to the left because it minimizes lane change interactions. Since most interchange access is located on the right side, it is safer to keep HOV lanes to the left.
Are These The Same As ETR Highways?
Express tolls allow single-occupant vehicles to pay and use the roads. In Ontario, drivers use the 407 ETR and can obtain a transponder for secure payment. HOT lanes are also being tested for use on Ontario highways.
Is Passing In These Lanes Allowed?
Drivers are not permitted to pass in and out of HOV lanes, even where there is a broken white line. Doing so can result in a fine or ticket.
Can You Pay To Use Them?
No. If you are a single-occupant driver and wish to use the HOV lanes, you are out of luck. But, High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes provide the option for people driving alone to pay a fee to use the lane. Carpooling drivers and certain vehicles can use HOT lanes for free without a permit.
What About HOV Lanes In Toronto?
The City of Toronto requires three or more passengers in the vehicle to use HOV lanes. With the high volume of traffic on city streets, it was thought that having at least two people would result in a high level of carpooling in the HOV lane. As such, it was felt that the travel time incentives for using HOV lanes would only be beneficial with a higher occupancy, offering a quicker lane for those driving in it. Having more occupants in the car would, in turn, reduce the number of vehicles on already congested roads, thereby improving travel times.
Green vehicles are not exempt from city laws. Vehicles need to have three or more occupants. The fine for illegally driving in an HOV lane in Toronto is $110 and three demerit points.
Conclusion: Plan!
Your daily commute doesn’t have to be the worst part of your day. If you are commuting to work or planning your next road trip, plan. Using HOV lanes and carpooling can help reduce overall traffic congestion on the roads and cut down on your travel time.
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