High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes are lanes that are open to carpools, vanpools, transit, motorcycles and toll-paying solo drivers.
Toll rates are set electronically to ensure that traffic in the HOT lane keeps flowing at 45 miles per hour or faster, even when regular lanes are congested. HOT lanes are used to provide toll-free express trips for transit, carpools and vanpools, and also give solo drivers the option of paying for a faster, more reliable trip.
New lanes can be built for this purpose or high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes can be converted into HOT lanes. The first HOT lane in Washington state is being tested on SR 167 between Renton and Auburn.