Carpooling isn’t enough: How to avoid HOV lane bills in Colorado

DENVER (KDVR) — Carpool lanes, or high occupancy vehicle lanes, can be used in many states as long as the vehicle has two to three or more people inside. But in Colorado, drivers have to take an extra step to use the HOV lanes without getting billed.

If you are driving with two extra people in the car, and you see “HOV 3+” signs over the far left lane, you cannot just use the lane for free. You must have the appropriate sticker or transponder on your vehicle or else you will receive a bill with the toll fees for where you used the lane.

Here’s a guide with what to know to avoid getting hit with bills for carpooling in the carpool lane.

Who can use express/HOV lanes in Colorado?

Anyone can use the express lanes with a toll payment. However, motorcycles, buses and vehicles with three or more people can use most of them for free (with the appropriate transponder or sticker). The only exceptions are on C-470 and the Interstate 70 mountain express lanes.

Solo drivers must also have the appropriate transponder or sticker in order to use the lanes. Otherwise, a bill with a higher toll rate will be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle.

How to get stickers, transponders for Colorado express lanes

Anyone who uses the express lanes must set up an ExpressToll account and register for a pass. There are different passes for different purposes. Anyone can register for a pass and it will be sent via mail.

“If you choose not to use the transponder, you will be billed through a License Plate Toll. A bill will be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle and you will pay a higher toll rate based on how far you travel in the Express Lanes,” the Colorado Department of Transportation website states.

The Switchable HOV Transponder is the only option that can be used for both solo driver tolling and free carpooling, according to the CDOT website. This transponder used to cost $18 but is now available for free for those who plan to use it just for carpooling.

“Drivers who do not use the free pass within six months, or who use the pass in toll mode or on a tolled Express Lane such as the I-70 Mountain Express Lane, will be charged the cost of the Switchable HOV Transponder,” the CDOT website states.

Drivers who only need a pass for solo tolled express lane use can get the ExpressToll sticker pass.

How to use the HOV lanes when carpooling

The Switchable HOV Transponder is the only pass that permits free use of the express lanes for carpoolers, but it works for solo, tolled traveling as well.

The transponder can be used on the green “TOLL” mode when the driver is using it to drive solo in the express lanes, or it can be switched to the red “HOV” mode when there are three or more people in the vehicle, according to the CDOT website.

How to use the express lanes as a solo driver or motorcyclist

Solo drivers in Colorado’s express lanes can use either the Switchable HOV Transponder or the ExpressToll sticker. Overhead signs indicate how much it will cost to use the toll lane for a specified distance. The price varies depending on the time of day and congestion levels.

Motorcyclists are the lucky ones — according to the CDOT website, motorcyclists do not need to have an ExpressToll pass or account in order to travel for free on the express lanes on the Interstate 25 corridor, C-470, U.S. 36 and Central Interstate 70.

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