Motorcycles: Carpool Lanes & Parking?

May 2021 2 72 Report

Motorcycles: Carpool Lanes & Parking?

1. Are motorcycles allowed to drive in the carpool-lane with only a driver and no passenger?

2. Are motorcycles allowed to park on the sidewalk or in between cars in parking lots?

It would also be helpful if anyone knew the exact California laws that cover these issues. I can't remember either of these being covered on the test when I got my M1.

Thanks for the help

Cars & Transportation / Motorcycles

Anonymous

Verified answer

As for carpool (HOV or "High Occupancy Vehicle") lanes: it's a FEDERAL law that ALL states must follow:

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/safetea/hovfactsheet.htm

California (law) Vehicle Code Section 22500 says "No person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle whether attended or unattended ... (f) On any portion of a sidewalk, or with the body of the vehicle extending over any portion of a sidewalk... "

http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc22500.htm

There are a LOT of other parking laws in California. Feel free to read them all, here:

http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/tocd11c9.htm

Your test for your M1 covers only a small portion of the more important aspects of driving a motorcycle. Just because it's not on the test doesn't mean there isn't a law.

Candid Chris

#1 - Yes.

#2 - No, your motorcycle is just like any other registered vehicle, sidewalks are for pedestrian use and between other vehicles is stupid if you like to keep your bike in one piece, but some cities in California do have 'Motorcycle Parking Only' and are posted as such.