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[burdett]

...car pool lane in California?
This is what I saw. Our car was in the carpool lane (diamond lane) on a California freeway. The carpool lane has a double solid yellow line between it and regular traffic. There are periodic breaks in the double yellow line where it becomes a single white dash line. The motorcycle crossed the double line right in front of us, and then crossed it again to leave the lane.

I know it is legal for a single person on a motorcycle to be in a carpool lane, but is it legal for them to cross a solid double yellow line to get in it?

[denys]

Motorcyclists must obey all traffic laws.

The only thing they can legally do that automobiles and trucks cannot is drive in-between lanes of traffic on the highway (at least this is true in California -- not sure about other states). If it were up to me, I'd make this most-dangerous practice illegal -- but as of now it is perfectly legal.

They cannot, however, cross a double-yellow line. They'd get a ticket for that if caught.

[victorio83]

While solo motorcyclists are permitted in the lane, motorcycles are motor vehicles and riders are subject to the same laws as drivers of automobiles. This is illegal and a VERY expensive ticket if you are caught. There is a specific statute on this, Veh C 21655.8: "no person driving a vehicle may cross over these double lines to enter into or exit from the exclusive or preferential use lanes, and entrance or exit may be made only in areas designed for these purposes or where a single broken line is in place to the right of the exclusive or preferential use lanes." There is an exception for yielding to an emergency vehicle.

The fine for a violation is about $480 and it is a point with DMV.

(Note, the violation is not 42160, since when you drive in the car pool lane, you ARE driving to the left of the double lines.)

[dasco]

you said it... it is legal for motorcyclists to be on their bikes alone in the carpool lane, but the key here is the double solid yellow. by law, no one is to cross teh double yellow. hd he crossed over when it was the dashes, it would have been completely legal, but since he crossed the double yellow (twice in fact), it was not.

this is one of those traffic laws that unfortunately many people do not adhere to much like speeding.

[caomh]

Nope. Vehicle Code Section 21460 (a) says "When double parallel solid lines are in place, no person
driving a vehicle shall drive to the left thereof, except as permitted in this section." The exceptions refer to making left turns to and from the road, and passing zones on highways.

[fitche]

This is illegal. Motorcycles are allowed in the car pool lane if they are in a group. The thinking behind this is that they are using less space on the freeway.

[jolie]

not to get in because of the double double yellow line but it is ok to leave at any time for anyone because of the white line on the inside