Express Lane Permits

The Express Lane Permit is for ambulettes, commuter vans, shuttles, and other mass transit fleets. This permit allows these vehicles to use the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes leading to the Queens Midtown and Brooklyn Battery Tunnels.

All applicants

Provide a list on company letterhead of license plate numbers for vehicles that will use the Express Lane(s).

Bus applicants

• Provide operating authority from one of the following:

  • New York City Board of Estimate
  • New York State Department of Transportation
  • Appropriate out-of-state operating authority
  • Interstate Commerce Commission

• Provide current registration for each vehicle showing either:

  • New York State Bus license plate
  • Out-of-state equivalent

• Provide copies of:

  • Current insurance policy coverage for all vehicles (fleet policy or individual insurance cards paired with registrations)
  • Current registration proving that each vehicle can seat at least 16 passengers, not including the driver
  • Operating authority documents proving that the seating capacity in each vehicle matches the capacity set by the operating authority

Ambulette or wheelchair accessible vehicle applicants

• Provide operating authority from one of the following:

  • New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC)
  • New York State Department of Transportation
  • Interstate Commerce Commission

• Provide copies of:

  • Current registration for each vehicle
  • Current insurance coverage for all vehicles (fleet policy or individual insurance cards paired with registrations)
  • Current TLC For Hire/Para Vehicle Permit for each vehicle