Back to Resources Driving in a big city
How to drive safely in the city
Can I pass on city streets?
How do I deal with detours in the city streets?
How do I deal with heavy traffic in the city?
What is a Freeway
How can I drive safely on freeways/highways?
How do I enter a freeway?
How do I exit a freeway?
What are the Freeway Junctions or Interchanges?
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) or (Carpool) Lanes
What are Tollroads and Tollbooths?
How to drive in rural areas?

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) or (Carpool) Lanes

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) or Carpool lanes are used to reduce the traffic volume on the freeways by promoting ride sharing and carpooling.

HOV or Carpool lanes are usually available in the areas of the freeways that tend to have a high volume of traffic.

carpools only sign

Below are a few rules regarding the HOV or Carpool lanes:

  • The HOV lanes require the vehicles to have multiple numbers of people, and there are signs at the HOV lane entrance about the minimum number of people required to enter the HOV lane.
  • Motorcycles (does not require the minimum number of passengers)
  • Buses
  • Low-emission vehicles (must display DMV-issued low-emission decals)