Not Legal Advice: Many cities and states in the country have carpool lanes, and the rules and regulations for their use vary significantly. As a driver, you are responsible for knowing the laws in the state where you are driving.
In Northern California, HOV lanes are only operational on Monday thru Friday during posted peak congestion hours, for example: between 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. All other vehicles may use the lanes during off-peak hours. This is referred to as "part-time" operation.
While in Southern California, HOV lanes are generally separated from other lanes by a buffer zone. The HOV lanes are in effect 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, referred to as "full-time" operation.
High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane, also known as the carpool or diamond lane, is a traffic management strategy to promote and encourage ridesharing.
People who carpool together spend quite a bit of time together each day. So, it's essential that all carpool members feel comfortable with their fellow carpoolers. The following suggestions will help to assure a pleasant carpool experience for everyone.