A High-Occupancy Vehicle Lane (HOV lane) is a designated lane on a highway or road that is reserved for vehicles with multiple passengers, typically two or more. The purpose of HOV lanes is to encourage carpooling and reduce traffic congestion by promoting the use of shared transportation. These lanes often have specific hours of operation and may be marked with signs indicating the number of passengers required. HOV lanes can improve travel times for those who carpool, as they usually allow for faster movement compared to regular lanes. In some areas, HOV lanes may also be open to certain vehicles, such as buses or motorcycles, regardless of the number of passengers.