HOV and Express lanes, carbon monoxide and clean air
A 3-minute lesson from the Georgia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Georgia uses HOV lanes and Peach Pass toll lanes to manage congestion. This lesson also covers carbon monoxide, an invisible danger from your own exhaust, and how you can help reduce air pollution.
Know the rule
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes are for vehicles with more than one occupant, buses, motorcycles, and vehicles with Alternative Fuel Vehicle plates. They're marked with a diamond, and the restricted hours are posted.
Express Lanes let you pay a toll to bypass congestion. Vehicles with no more than two axles or up to six wheels may use them with a registered Peach Pass; the toll is deducted automatically.
The I-85 Express Lanes (HOT lanes, Gwinnett County) are open 24 hours. Registered transit, 3+ person carpools, motorcycles, emergency vehicles and plated Alternative Fuel Vehicles ride toll-free.
The I-75 South Metro Express Lanes (Henry and Clayton counties) are reversible. All vehicles, including motorcycles and electric vehicles, pay a toll; transit buses, registered vanpools and emergency vehicles with a Peach Pass are toll-free.
In the 13-county metro Atlanta area, gasoline cars and light-duty trucks under 25 model years old must pass a yearly emissions inspection before registration; the newest three model years are exempt.
You're driving alone in your car on I-85 at rush hour. You can't use the HOV lane, which needs more than one occupant, unless your vehicle has an Alternative Fuel Vehicle plate.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What type of vehicle occupancy is generally required to use an HOV lane?
Any vehicle, regardless of occupancy
2+ occupants, buses, motorcycles, or AFVs
Only vehicles with a disabled parking permit
Only commercial trucks
Answer: 2+ occupants, buses, motorcycles, or AFVs
HOV lanes are restricted to vehicles with more than one occupant, buses, motorcycles, and AFV-plated vehicles.
