Starting on September 15, 2016, we’re designating high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on the QEW into High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes to test a new way to improve traffic flow and encourage carpooling.
Overview
HOT lanes will launch on 16.5 km of the QEW, in both directions, from Trafalgar Road in Oakville to Guelph Line in Burlington.
This pilot project will last two to four years and will help us learn about and plan for a more efficient highway network in Ontario. During the pilot, we’ll explore and test innovative technology to support HOT lanes, including tolling, compliance and performance.
The Ministry of Transportation will publicly report back on the results of the pilot.
Who can use HOT lanes
- vehicles with a HOT permit
- vehicles with two or more people
- buses
- vehicles with green licence plates
- emergency vehicles
- licensed taxis and airport limousines
If you’re caught using the HOT lanes without a permit, you may be fined or issued a penalty.
HOT permit
Up to 1,000 permits will be sold during each term of the pilot. Permits will be valid for three months and will cost a total of $180 ($60 per month).
The first round of permits will be valid from September 15 to December 31, 2016
You can apply for future rounds of permits in the coming months.
Once you have a permit, you can automatically renew it twice before you have to re-apply.
Apply for a HOT permit
To ensure fairness, HOT permits will be available through a draw.
- Apply online to enter the first round of the draw – August 1 to 21, 2016
- After you submit your application, you’ll be assigned a random number. The Ministry of Transportation will use these numbers to randomly select permit holders in the draw.
- You will receive an email about the results of the first permit draw – September 1, 2016
- If you are selected, you can purchase your HOT permit online after you receive an email
- You will receive permit stickers in the mail to attach to your vehicle
If you are not selected, you can apply for the draw again in November 2016.
Draw eligibility
To be eligible for the draw, you must:
- have a vehicle registered in Ontario with a valid licence plate; the vehicle must:
- be less than 6.5 metres (or 21 feet) long
- weigh 4500 kg or less
- be registered for personal or commercial use
- have no outstanding fines
- agree to the HOT Permit Terms of Use which includes mandatory participation in data collection through questionnaires
Only one application per licence plate is permitted.
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