If you meet the occupancy requirements but the HOV lane is not open to eligible vehicles, what should you do?

• A. Enter the lane anyway.
• B. Stay out of the lane.
• C. Drive in the regular lanes and ignore the lane markings.
• D. Stop and call for assistance.

Answer: (B)

Using an HOV lane is allowed only when you meet the occupancy requirements and the lane is currently open to eligible vehicles. If the occupancy conditions are met but the lane isn’t open for your vehicle, you must not enter it. Stay in the regular lanes and follow the posted signs and lane markings.

Entering the lane anyway would violate the rules and could result in a citation. Driving in the regular lanes while ignoring the lane markings is unsafe and illegal. Stopping to call for assistance is appropriate only in an actual emergency. The correct approach is to stay out of the HOV lane until both eligibility and lane open status are satisfied.