Can electric cars use the carpool lane? (2024)

FAQs

Can electric cars use the carpool lane? ›

Electric vehicles may be driven in high occupancy vehicle lanes at any time, regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle. All eligible vehicles are required to display a decal issued by the Florida Division of Motor Vehicles and be renewed annually for a fee (316.0741 (5)).

Electric and Other Vehicles with Red or Purple Clean-Air Decals: If your vehicle has a red or purple decal issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), you CAN drive by yourself in the HOV lane unless prohibited by local signs.

For years, owners of electric and hybrid cars in California have qualified for Clean Air Vehicle stickers that let them drive in carpool lanes without passengers. As NBC 7's Todd Strain explains, there's a possibility it could come to an end.

Who Can Use HOV Lanes? Motorcycles, mass transit, and vehicles with two or more (2+) occupants are allowed to access the HOV lanes during their operational hours. An "occupant" is defined as any person who occupies a safety restraint device, i.e., seat belt.

Depending on demand, use of HOV lanes can be limited to vehicles with two or more people, but can require three or more people in areas where congestion and transit frequencies are high. HOV lane restrictions are sometimes limited to peak commuting hours or periods of higher traffic volumes.

If you drive a hybrid or other qualifying low-emission car, you may be allowed to drive in the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on the highway, even if only one person is in the car. You need to apply, obtain a decal, and display the decal in your car window.

Carpool lanes, also known as High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, allow carpools, vanpools, buses, motorcycles, and eligible clean air vehicles(opens in a new window) to drive in them during their designated commute hours. Other vehicles are not allowed.

If there's just one person driving a hybrid car, and that vehicle has a legitimate decal, the person is using the HOV lane legally and won't get a ticket or incur any other restricted lane penalties.

Toll Discounts

The discount is based on the number of people in the car, including the driver. → Driving alone = 50% discount on the posted toll. → Two-person carpool (HOV 2) = 75% discount on the. posted toll. → Three or more person carpool (HOV 3+) = Free.

High-occupancy vehicle lane

High-occupancy vehicle lane / Full name

Do babies count for carpool lane in California? ›

Yes. All States with HOV facilities count children and infants as passengers. Pregnant individuals are counted as one seat-occupant. Why do HOV lanes often appear empty?

ISTEA, in addition, permitted state authorities to define a high occupancy vehicle as having a minimum of two occupants (HOV 2+). As of 2009, California was the state with the most HOV facilities in the country, with 88, followed by Minnesota with 83 facilities, Washington with 41, Texas with 35, and Virginia with 21.

Commercial vehicles are not permitted to use the HOV lanes. Uber, Lyft, and taxi services are also eligible for the HOV lane if they meet the occupancy requirement of the lane.

A: The RV driver is not allowed to tow anything and drive in the HOV lanes, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Steve Carapia of the CHP's Inland Division, He said an RV is considered a passenger vehicle, and the rules are no different than if our readers were driving a standard car.

However, according to the California Highway Patrol, motorcycles can use the HOV lane without having a specific decal (for example, hybrid cars with a yellow decal can ride in the HOV lane with only a single passenger). Motorcyclists cannot ride on, in, or over solid double lines.

If you buy or lease a new electric car (or plugin hybrid), you can apply for a shiny California carpool sticker that will let you drive solo in the HOV lane.

As part of the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations, all new passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in California will be zero-emission vehicles by 2035. In October 2023, staff launched a new effort to consider amendments to the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations.

The decal and identification card allow drivers to use carpool or High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes with only one person in the car. But don't forget - this perk is scheduled to end on Sept. 30, 2025, unless it is extended by Congress.

Owners of plug-in electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles registered in New York State can apply for a Clean Vehicle Sticker that allows them to use the HOV lanes on the Long Island Expressway in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, even if they are single occupancy. This exemption expires on September 30, 2025.