roadwise.Open study app

Nevada driving lesson · Freeway Driving & Stopping

Lane signals & HOV lanes

A 3-minute lesson from the Nevada course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

Study this lesson in the app Back to the course
Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Freeway Driving & Stopping
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
37, 38, 39

Some Nevada freeways have signals hanging over each lane and carpool (HOV) lanes. Read the symbol over your lane: a green arrow means go, a yellow X means use caution or merge, and a red X means get out of that lane.

Lane use control signals

Lane use control signals
SignalMeaning
Green down arrow + OPENYou may drive the posted speed limit in this lane
Yellow X + CAUTIONYou may use the lane; watch for slow traffic or debris
Yellow X + MERGEThe lane is ending — prepare to merge safely
Red X + CLOSEDDo not drive in this lane; merge into an open lane
Handbook p. 37 ↗
Lane use control signals
OPEN
Lane use control signals
MERGE
Lane use control signals
CLOSED

Know the rule

Lane signals let lanes be used by traffic from different directions at different times; you must also obey all other signs and signals that apply.

Handbook p. 37 ↗

Know the rule

Overhead freeway signals post reduced speed limits and lane closures for construction, debris, crashes or other reasons, update as you get closer, and show all lanes open once you're past.

Handbook p. 37 ↗
Overhead freeway lane control: crash blocking lanes
Overhead signals at a crash: right three lanes closed, speed limit posted

HOV lane

A high-occupancy vehicle lane restricted to encourage ridesharing and public transit, remove congestion from normal lanes, and improve traffic operations.

Handbook p. 39 ↗

Rules of HOV lanes:

  • 2+ persons per vehicle — babies count, pets don't
  • Hours vary — see the regulatory signs for each segment
  • Motorcycles are eligible, even with one rider
  • Emergency vehicles responding to an emergency are eligible
  • Vehicles with more than 2 axles (or vehicle-trailer combinations) are not eligible
  • Electric cars and taxis or rideshares need 2+ persons too — a driver alone doesn't qualify
Handbook p. 39 ↗
$250

HOV lane violation fine shown on Nevada's HOV rules

Handbook p. 39 ↗

Know the rule

A double solid white line means you may not cross to enter or exit the HOV lane. Enter or exit only where the line is broken white.

Handbook p. 39 ↗

Put it into practice

You're alone in your electric car and the HOV lane is moving faster. You can't use it — electric cars need 2+ people. With a passenger, even a baby, you could enter where the line is broken white.

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.

How many people minimum are required in a vehicle to use a Nevada HOV lane?
  1. 1 or more
  2. 3 or more
  3. 2 or more
  4. 4 or more

Answer: 2 or more

HOV lane rules require 2 or more persons per vehicle.

Handbook p. 39 ↗
Which of these vehicles is eligible to use an HOV lane regardless of occupancy?
  1. Taxis with only the driver
  2. Vehicles with 3 or more axles
  3. Solo commuters in electric cars
  4. Motorcycles

Answer: Motorcycles

Motorcycles are eligible for HOV lanes; vehicles with more than 2 axles are not.

Handbook p. 39 ↗
A double solid white line along an HOV lane means:
  1. You cannot cross to enter or exit the lane
  2. You must exit the HOV lane immediately
  3. Passing is always permitted there
  4. The HOV lane is closed

Answer: You cannot cross to enter or exit the lane

A double solid white line means you cannot cross the lines to enter or exit the carpool lane.

Handbook p. 39 ↗
A red X displayed over a freeway lane with the label CLOSED means:
  1. The lane is for HOV traffic only
  2. Merge into that lane immediately
  3. It's advisory only, lane may still be used
  4. Drivers cannot drive in that lane

Answer: Drivers cannot drive in that lane

A red X with CLOSED means drivers cannot drive in that lane and must merge into an open lane.

Handbook p. 37 ↗
A yellow X with the label MERGE over a freeway lane means:
  1. The lane is ending; prepare to merge
  2. There is a crash directly ahead in that lane
  3. The lane is closed completely
  4. You may increase your speed in that lane

Answer: The lane is ending; prepare to merge

A yellow X with MERGE means the lane is ending and drivers should prepare to merge.

Handbook p. 37 ↗
Vehicles with more than two axles are generally not eligible to use Nevada's HOV lanes.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Vehicles with more than 2 axles (or trailer combinations) are not eligible for HOV lanes.

Handbook p. 39 ↗
Take the lesson checkpoint in the app

More in Freeway Driving & Stopping

All Nevada lessons