One of the best things about carpooling to work in your used cars is that you get the opportunity to drive in the carpool lane if you live in a major metropolitan area. Carpool lanes, or high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, are great because they are typically less congested and you can zoom past other cars on your way to work. However, here are some rules of the diamond lanes that you need to know to avoid getting pulled over and ruining your day.
• There must be at least two people in the car in order to legally drive in the carpool lane.
• Speed limits still apply to drivers in the HOV lane.
• Using a dummy or mannequin dressed up as another person does not count as a passenger.
• HOV lanes are open to motorcycles, commercial trucks and busses as well as passenger vehicles. Busses do not need passengers to ride in HOV lanes.
• Children count as passengers in the HOV lane. There is no age restriction.
• In some places, hybrids may use the HOV lane even if there is not a passenger in the car.
These are the basic rules and guidelines for you to follow in carpool lanes with your used cars. You can do your part for the environment and for overall traffic congestion by forming a carpool at work and using the HOV lane whenever possible.