What is the requirement for vehicles with clean special fuel license plates to use HOV lanes in Virginia?

The requirement for vehicles with clean special fuel license plates to use HOV lanes in Virginia is that they must comply with federal law. This means that these vehicles are recognized under certain federal regulations that support their use in high-occupancy vehicle lanes to promote environmentally friendly transportation options.

This compliance assures that vehicles eligible for HOV lane access meet efficiency and emissions standards set forth at the federal level, which is designed to encourage the use of cleaner energy sources. Therefore, the vehicles with clean special fuel license plates are considered to contribute positively to the environment and are afforded the privilege of HOV lane access as an incentive for reducing emissions and promoting the use of alternative fuel vehicles.

In contrast, the other options are not the specific criteria for using HOV lanes for these vehicles. The requirement for passengers or the date of issuance does not directly pertain to federal compliance, nor does it distinguish the key aspect of adherence to federal law that governs the eligibility for HOV lane usage.