Three’s the (HOV) Rule on SR 520

SR 520’s HOV lanes are for three or more people — not two!

The HOV 3+ designation is required by law to keep transit and carpools moving and reduce congestion. When we opened the new direct access ramps in Montlake in 2024, we saw too many people using the lanes illegally. We’ve partnered with Washington State Patrol to make sure you know the law and the consequences for breaking it.

Watch our explainer video

What you need to know

Using the SR 520 HOV lanes? Here’s a quick breakdown so you know before you go:

The HOV 3+ rule is the law. It was passed by the Washington State Legislature in 2010. WSDOT does not set these designations.
HOV 3+ includes the driver and at least two (real) passengers.
HOV 3+ applies 24/7 across SR 520 between I-405 and Montlake and the Montlake transit/direct access ramps — there are no peak hours or exceptions.
The HOV 3+ rule will extend across the Portage Bay bridges when complete in 2031 as well as the new flyover ramp to the I-5 Express Lanes.
HOV violations in Washington state are considered moving violations. Fines start at $186 and increase with each violation.

Why 3+?

This isn’t a new rule. It was set by the Washington State Legislature in 2010 to make sure SR 520 can support fast, reliable transit. When too many cars use the HOV lanes, it slows transit and affects everyone on the road.

Requiring three or more people:

Keeps buses moving on time
Maintains reliable connections to UW and light rail
Moves more people efficiently and reduces the number of cars on the road

Why now?

The new Montlake transit/HOV direct access ramps opened in 2024, giving more drivers a direct connection to SR 520 HOV lanes. Since opening, we’ve seen more people using the lanes illegally. So, we’re educating drivers about the law and the consequences for violating it.

What we did

We’ve made several updates across SR 520 to make the 3+ rule clearer. This includes:

Updated HOV 3+ signs between I-405 and Montlake
Replaced the car icons with direct text of “HOV 3+ only”
Launched a social media and video campaign to share information
Worked with Washington State Patrol to increase enforcement

What happens if you don’t follow the 3+ rule

HOV violations in Washington are considered moving violations. They stay on your record for three years and can raise your insurance rates. Repeat offenses may lead to a suspended license. The HOV 3+ law is enforced by the Washington State Patrol — and the fines can add up fast.

Remember, HOV 3+ is the rule on 520 HOV lanes —it’s the law, and it keeps SR 520 moving. #Three’stheRule

Frequently asked questions

Why are the lanes HOV 3+ and not HOV 2+ ?

In 2010, the WA State Legislature passed a bill establishing a HOV 3+ requirement across the SR 520 Corridor. Lawmakers wanted to make sure SR 520 had reliable, high-capacity transit lanes that connected to the University of Washington and light rail.

During peak hours, HOV 2+ lanes across the state can get congested and create delays for buses. The purpose of the HOV 3+ law on SR 520 is to avoid backups and maintain average speeds of 45 miles per hour during peak hours.

Why doesn’t WSDOT change the HOV 3+ back to HOV 2+?

WSDOT does not have the authority to change the HOV requirements. This requirement was passed by the state Legislature and would require legislative action to change or undo.

What are the consequences for violating the HOV 3+ law?

If you violate the HOV 3+ law , you can be fined a ticket of $186. If you violate the law again within a two-year year period, the fine increases to $336. Using a mannequin, doll or other type of fake body in the car increases your ticket by an additional $200.

HOV violations in Washington State are considered moving violations. They can appear on your driving record for three years and potentially affect your car insurance rates. Multiple violations can result in the suspension of your license.

The floating bridge has been open for almost ten years. Why are you doing this campaign now?

The direct access ramps that we opened in Montlake in 2024 exposed a problem. When we opened those ramps, we saw that most drivers were not following the 3+ law. That could be because drivers are not aware of the law, or they are just ignoring it. We are doing this campaign now to educate people so they know about the law and the consequences for violating it.

Are the toll rates on SR 520 discounted for HOV 3+ lanes?

No, the toll rates on SR 520 are uniform no matter the number of passengers in the car. The toll revenue is necessary to pay for bridge construction, not just to manage traffic.

Info about the laws approved by the Washington State Legislature

Additional resources