Government of B.C.

Eligibility

Owners of low emission vehicles can apply for a permit to drive in HOV lanes on B.C. highways.  Your vehicle make, model, year and fuel type must be on the eligible vehicle list. 

Car manufacturers can apply to have a vehicle added to the eligibility list.

Eligible vehicle criteria

  • Fuel types:
    • Battery electric vehicle (BEV)
    • Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (HFCV)
    • Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)
    • Extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV)
  • Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) certified
  • Covered or deemed covered by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certificate in accordance with the On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulations (ORVEER)
  • The vehicle must be:
    • Highway capable
    • B.C.-registered
    • Original equipped manufactured (OEM) vehicle. Post-production conversions are not eligible
    • Gross vehicle weight < 6,000kg

Overview

HOV lanes in B.C.

Electric Vehicle OK sign

EVs displaying an official decal are allowed in these HOV lanes. 

Lower Mainland

  • Highway 1: Westbound from east of 202 Street to Gilmore Way overpass
  • Highway 1: Eastbound from Gilmore Way overpass to 208 Street overpass
  • Highway 7: Westbound only east of Golden Ears Way to east of Old Dewdney Trunk Road
  • Highway 17A: Northbound only Ladner Trunk Road to Highway 99
  • Highway 99: Northbound south of Highway 17 to north of Highway 17A
  • Highway 99: Southbound south of Westminster Highway to north of Steveston Highway

Kelowna

  • Highway 97: Northbound Pandosy Street to Highway 33
  • Highway 97: Southbound Highway 33 to Pandosy Street

Learn more about how to use HOV lanes.

Tips for applying

If you receive an error message, it may be because:

  • You have just purchased your vehicle: It takes up to 10 days for your ICBC registration to get updated in the system.
  • ICBC entered the incorrect fuel type for your vehicle: If the fuel type entered on the Owner's Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence is gasoline, contact us to complete the application for you. For all other incorrect fuel type entries, contact ICBC to have it corrected

Contact us if you need help submitting the application. Send a full-page picture of your Owner's Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence by email. Please make sure the image is legible before sending.

Replacement decals

If the HOV decal is lost, damaged or stolen you must apply for a replacement decal before you use HOV lanes.

If you did not apply for your decal using our online application system you will need to submit a new application.

Note: Auto body shops are not responsible for replacing decals removed during paint or bodywork.

Mailing address

Make sure the address on the Owner's Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence is where you would like us to mail your decal. If the address is for the lease company, please provide your mailing address in the body of the email.

Apply

Apply for an HOV decal or a replacement decal

If you have just purchased and insured your vehicle, please wait ten days for the information to reach our system. If you apply sooner, you may receive an error message.

Please allow approximately two weeks for your decal to arrive by mail.

To apply, you will need to:

  • Provide the vehicle identification number (VIN)
  • Scan (or take a photo) and upload a copy of the Owner's Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence. Make sure the vehicle registration number is clearly visible

Apply Online, Apply for an HOV decal or a replacement decal, opens in a new window

Apply to add an electric vehicle to HOV-approved list

Manufacturers can apply to have their vehicles listed as eligible to travel in HOV lanes.

Apply, Apply to add an electric vehicle to HOV-approved list, opens in a new window

Contact

Contact us by email for the fastest response time. 
Email:  EVHOV@gov.bc.ca

If you prefer to phone, please leave a message and we will return your call in the order it was received.
Phone: 778-974-5470