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Details on Motorcyclists in HOV lanes


Express Lanes Map
Learn more about new procedures for motorcyclists in HOV lanes.

Express Lanes have new rules that will affect drivers who choose to use them.

How you drive will determine whether you pay a toll or not, so make sure you plan ahead and learn how to use the Express Lanes ahead of time.

New Procedures for Motorcycles and Carpoolers

The House Transportation and Energy Committee voted no on Senate Bill 16-123 (SB 123) on April 21. The discussion, however, prompted new changes in the pass procedures for HOV Express Lanes, which include the following: Motorcycles will no longer be required to have a pass to use CDOT's High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Express Lanes to for free.* Learn more about HOV Express Lanes.

The best way to prepare for your trip is to know how you will travel:

If you're a solo driver, you can use the Express Lanes anytime – all you need is an ExpressToll account and pass. Solo drivers with a pass will be charged the current toll rate on whatever highway Express Lane you travel on.

If you choose not to set up an ExpressToll account and get a pass, 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 the toll rate based on how far you travel in the Express Lane, plus additional charges to mail you the bill.

Would you like to take the Express Lanes toll free?

  • Travel as a carpooler with two or more passengers.
  • Make sure you have an ExpressToll account and pass. The Switchable HOV Transponder lets you change between the non-paying HOV mode when you carpool and the toll-paying mode when you travel alone
  • Any pass acquired through ExpressToll can be used on all Colorado Express Lanes highways but only the switchable one can be used for HOV

While it might be tempting to use the Switchable HOV Transponder to avoid paying tolls, it is important to remember there will be enforcement on the roadway. Our local law enforcement officers will be out on the corridors and violations could cost up to $250.

* The I-70 Mountain Express Lane will not include a "free" policy for HOV vehicles given that a majority of vehicles traveling in the corridor typically have more than one passenger.

If you carpool, you get to travel free and fast, not having to pay a toll for the Express Lanes.*

To travel toll-free, carpoolers need:
 

  • A driver plus two or more passengers.
  • An ExpressToll account and a pass—specifically the Switchable HOV Transponder switched to the red bar (HOV mode). This switchable pass lets you change between the non-paying HOV mode when you carpool and the toll-paying mode when you travel alone.
  • If you do not have a pass but have enough people in your car to qualify for HOV and use the lanes for free, you will still get charged a toll, so be sure to get a pass
  • The switchable pass can be used on all Colorado Express Lanes highways and costs $15 to purchase. If you are planning to carpool only (never using the toll mode) and only on Express Lanes that offer free carpooling, you can get the pass for free.*
Switchable HOV transponder passes are now free for drivers who are planning to carpool only in CDOT's HOV Express Lanes.

While it might be tempting to use the Switchable HOV Transponder to avoid paying tolls, it is important to remember there will be enforcement on the roadway. Our local law enforcement officers will be out on the corridors and violations could cost up to $250.

* The I-70 Mountain Express Lane will not include a "free" policy for HOV vehicles given that a majority of vehicles traveling in the corridor typically have more than one passenger. Trucks and commercial vehicles are not allowed in the I-70 Mountain Express Lane.

If you ride the bus, you won't have to change anything about your current commute, but you'll start noticing some new benefits. With Express Lanes, your bus ride is more reliable.

On US 36, the bus has an extra advantage with the ability to travel on the shoulder and with the Bus Rapid Transit service. For more information on routes and schedules, visit www.rtd-denver.com.

New Procedures for Motorcycles and Carpoolers: The House Transportation and Energy Committee voted no on Senate Bill 16-123 (SB 123) on April 21. The discussion, however, prompted new changes in the pass procedures for HOV Express Lanes, which include the following: Motorcycles will no longer be required to have a pass to use CDOT's High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Express Lanes to for free.* 

  • Make sure you have an ExpressToll account and pass if you'd like the option to travel toll-free as a carpooler
  • Carpoolers must travel with a driver and two or more passengers.

Small and mid-sized trucks with two or three axles may use the Express Lanes as toll paying customers or they may travel toll-free if they meet the HOV requirement, and have an ExpressToll account and pass.* Vehicles with more than three axles will be charged a $25 surcharge per toll point, no matter how many passengers are in the vehicle.

Here's what you need to know as a truck driver:

  • You will need an ExpressToll account and pass to travel on the Express Lanes if you have two or three axles
  • If you'd like to travel toll free (and you meet the axle requirement), make sure you have an ExpressToll account and pass, and have two passengers.
  • Any pass acquired through ExpressToll can be used on all Colorado Express Lanes highways but only the switchable one can be used for HOV.
  • If you have more than three axles, please drive in the general purpose lanes.

* The I-70 Mountain Express Lane will not include a "free" policy for HOV vehicles given that a majority of vehicles traveling in the corridor typically have more than one passenger.

Taxi drivers can use the Express Lanes anytime, and all you need is an ExpressToll account and pass. The Switchable HOV Transponder provides the flexibility to travel toll-free when you are traveling with two passengers. When you travel alone or with one passenger, you will be required to pay a toll.

As a taxi driver, here's what you need to know:

  • You will need an ExpressToll account and pass to travel on the Express Lanes.
  • To travel toll free, you need a Switchable HOV Transponder set to the red bar (HOV mode) and must be traveling with two or more passengers.
  • Any pass acquired through ExpressToll can be used on all Colorado Express Lanes highways but only the switchable one can be used for HOV

If you are visiting Colorado, make sure you plan ahead and know if you are going to use the Express Lanes. Everyone who uses Express Lanes needs an ExpressToll account and a pass.

If you accidentally take the Express Lanes without a pass, 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 Lane. If you are driving a rental car, the bill will be sent to the rental car company and you will likely incur charges based on that company's policy.

Would you like to take the Express Lanes toll free?

  • Travel as a carpooler with two or more passengers.
  • Set up an ExpressToll account and a pass – specifically ask for the Switchable HOV Transponder – this switchable pass lets you change between the non-paying HOV mode when you carpool and the toll-paying mode when you travel alone
  • Any pass acquired through ExpressToll can be used on all Colorado Express Lanes highways but only the switchable one can be used for HOV

*The I-70 Mountain Express Lane will not include a "free" policy for HOV vehicles given that a majority of vehicles traveling in the corridor typically have more than one passenger.

Adding a Rental Car to an ExpressToll Account

ExpressToll customers can add a rental car license plate number to their toll account. To ensure the tolls are properly billed to the account, a customer must add the vehicle to the account BEFORE driving on the toll road and include a start and end date for when the car will drive the road.

Adding a rental plate to an ExpressToll account allows customers to pay the tolls only and avoid the additional administrative fees charged by rental car companies for driving their rental car on a tollroad. Rental vehicles not properly added to an account are billed through the rental car agency.

Rental Car Tolls Billed Through Rental Car Agency

All major rental car agencies register their vehicles with ExpressToll. The rental car agency will bill the tolls to the customer based on the terms written in the rental agreement. In addition, rental car agencies may apply additional administrative fees for toll road usage.

Some rental car agencies equip their cars with a non-removeable ExpressToll transponder. If so, the customer is automatically opted-in to the rental agency's toll plan. Please contact the rental car agency directly if you have any questions.