Cabs HOV-2 ?

I was informed by a cab driver that cabs only need 2 people to ride on the HOV. Is this true? He gave me a good scare because he drove off with just me in the cab until I asked and he explained. He also turned on the meter for the duration of the ride, so it led me to think perhaps if he was at a checkpoint he could say I was a customer? btw, a ride from Potomac Mills to Crystal City with yesterday's traffic would've cost close to $50 for a cab ride!

Forget Horner Rd, use Potomac Mills!

See Exemption #8 below. [:I]

The HOV Rules from the VDOT HOV FAQ webpage.

(Quote)
Rules

During HOV operating hours, any vehicle that has the designated number of people (HOV 2 or 3) can use the HOV lanes. During all other times, they are open to all vehicles, except when the reversible lanes are closed.

Fines for not having the required number of people in the vehicle:

Northern Virginia HOV Lane Fines:
$50 - 1st offense + $39 court costs
$200 - 2nd offense + $39 court costs
$500 - *3rd offense within two years of second offense + $39 court costs
$1,000 - *4th offense within three years of second offense + $39 court costs

*persons convicted of a third, fourth or subsequent violation within five years of a first offense committed in Northern Virginia shall be assessed three demerit points for each such violation.

Exemptions To The Rules:

1. Motorcycles are permitted to use HOV lanes throughout Virginia during HOV hours.
2. Motorists traveling to and from Dulles International Airport on business are permitted to use I-66 inside the Beltway during HOV hours.
3. Vehicles powered exclusively by clean special fuel, including compressed natural gas, electricity, liquefied natural gas and solar energy and registered with clean special fuel license plates are permitted to use HOV lanes. Hybrid fuel vehicles (i.e., gasoline engines that are assisted with electricity) that are registered with clean special fuel license plates also qualify to use the HOV lanes. (See FAQ above for more information.)
4. Emergency vehicles (fire, ambulance, rescue) and law enforcement vehicles are exempt. Public utility vehicles are permitted to use HOV lanes when responding to emergency calls.
5. Trucks are permitted to use HOV lanes if they have the required number of people in Northern Virginia. Trucks are not permitted to use I-66 inside the Beltway at any time. Trucks are not permitted to use any of the HOV lanes in the Hampton Roads area.
6. I-395 HOV lanes are open to non-HOV traffic during HOV hours from the entrance ramp located just south of Duke Street, known as "Turkeycock." However, non-HOV traffic using these lanes during HOV hours must exit at one of the next two left exits.
First exit: Springfield, Route 644W (last exit in Springfield).
Second exit: Flyover to I-95 southbound
7. Buses designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver.
8. Taxicabs with two or more people, including the driver.

(End Quote)

For more HOV info, please go to
http://virginiadot.org/comtravel/hov-rulesfaq.asp.

Keep on sluggin'! [:)]

I frequently ride in with a cabbie out of 234. I look for him when I arrive at the lot, as we don't have to wait for a third person. It's safe and legal. Enjoy and don't fret over the "free" ride.

Heck, most cabbies probably don't know about it!

I am pretty up on HOV and slugging and I'd never heard of the Cab-2+ exemption before a month ago.

I don't have any problem with the exemption. It is a tough life, driving a cab - hard to make a buck.

Not giving free rides, I bet. [;)]

Keep on sluggin'! [:)]