A high-occupancy vehicle lane (also known as an HOV lane, carpool lane, diamond lane, 2+ lane, and transit lane or T2 or T3 lanes) is a restricted traffic lane reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles with a driver and one or more passengers, including carpools, vanpools, and transit buses.

How do you use the carpool lane?

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. Policies vary for other kinds of facilities (bridges, HOT lanes, Express Lanes, toll highways), so watch the local signs or ask the local CHP office.

What is the purpose of a carpool lane?

High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, also known as carpool or diamond lanes, is a traffic management strategy to promote and encourage ridesharing; thereby alleviating congestion and maximizing the people-carrying capacity of California highways.