Vehicles: high-occupancy vehicle lanes: veterans.

Existing law authorizes the Department of Transportation to designate certain lanes for the exclusive use of high-occupancy vehicles (HOVs) . These lanes may also be used, until January 1, 2011, by certain low-emission and hybrid vehicles not carrying the requisite number of passengers otherwise required for the use of an HOV lane if the vehicle displays a valid identifier issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. This bill would authorize the Department of Transportation and local authorities to permit exclusive or preferential use of high-occupancy vehicle lanes to be used by a vehicle driven by a veteran or active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle or the type of vehicle, provided that the vehicle is driven by the veteran or active duty member and the vehicle displays an insigne approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles. The bill would also state that this provision would only apply if the Director of Transportation determines that the application would not subject the state to a loss in federal aid for highways.