what is hov lane

An HOV lane, or high-occupancy vehicle lane, is a restricted traffic lane reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles with a driver and at least one passenger, including carpools, vanpools, and transit buses. These lanes are designed to encourage ridesharing and reduce congestion on the roads. Rules for HOV lanes vary and are usually posted, but typically, HOV lanes are open to motor vehicles carrying two or more people, and sometimes access is open to motorcycles or vehicles that use alternative fuels. Some HOV lanes are converted to high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes, allowing single-occupant vehicles to use the lanes for a toll only during non-peak and non-congested periods