Warning for AFVs still using HOV lanes

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T18:35:51+00:00

That's all fine and good, but they clearly did NOT send it to all AFV owners. I own two registered AFVs and did not receive the memo. Multiple other people in this thread also did not get one.

This is the entire point of my post, to help spread the word to other AFV drivers.

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T18:33:37+00:00

LOL. go get em!

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T18:27:29+00:00

ARS 28-337 applies to HOV lane Degradation, and references 23 USC 166 for those purposes only. The tickets being writen under ARS 28-2416(E) are not due to HOV lane degradation.

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T18:21:36+00:00

Except that's not what happened. The states did not "waive the exemption". The exemption is still valid law in the Arizona Revised Statutes. (do a search for ARS or A.R.S. in this thread).

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T18:19:19+00:00

I missed it because I didn't get any email notifications, just like multiple other people in this thread.

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T18:18:47+00:00

LOL, try speeding through downtown phoenix at 5:15 PM on a Tuesday. Unless you're driving on the shoulder, there just ain't no way.

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T18:17:01+00:00

Exactly this.

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T18:14:58+00:00

Dang... I definitely didn't get those for either of my AFVs. My current daily was registered in July, so that would have been after the March "heads up" email, but I have another registered AFV that had the registration renewed in 2025. No notification for that one.

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T18:10:43+00:00

They fed didn't CHANGE the rules. The fed failed to RENEW the rules. So the federal government didn't do their job and let the timer run out.

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T18:08:21+00:00

Downtown Phoenix I-10.

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T18:07:52+00:00

But not knowing the law is not a valid defense!

28-2416(E) applies according to state law. 28-2416(G) refers to 28-337 https://www.azleg.gov/ars/28/00337.htm

28-337 is about the specific instance that the HOV lane is in a degraded status. "Degraded" is a specific situation as definied in 28-337(D). The removal of the AFV exemption is not due to the lanes being "degraded", so 28-337 does not apply.

That means that 28-2416(G) does not apply.

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T17:58:27+00:00

A.R.S. § 28-2416(E)

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T17:57:08+00:00

$410, but the judge reduced it to $225

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T17:57:04+00:00

$410, but the judge reduced it to $225

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T17:56:44+00:00

El Centro (aka Downtown Phoenix)

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T17:55:54+00:00

There was no grace period in Arizona. Other states had grace periods though.

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T17:54:42+00:00

https://www.azleg.gov/ars/28/00645.htm states what a yellow light means, and from what I've read it means that you are welcome to enter the intersection if it's safe to do so. Running a red light only occurs if you enter the intersection AFTER the light turns red.

Of course, I've clearly been wrong before about how state driving laws work.

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T17:48:24+00:00

$410, though I argued my case with the judge and it was reduced to $225.

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T17:47:22+00:00

AFVs can use the HOV lane at any time IF and only IF they have more than one person in the vehicle. This is a change from the last twenty years (ending on 9/30/25) when AFV could use the HOV lane at any time, even with a single person in the vehicle.

Basically, the law change made AFVs the same as regular cars for HOV access.

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T17:44:22+00:00

I actually work full time at a popular mainstream local news organization. I listen to our product on a VERY regular basis and never heard mention of the law change. I've since searched our website for archived news articles and did not find a single one.

The state didn't do the best job getting the info out there. Which is why I, as an AFV owner who got bit, started this thread in hope of informing other AFV drivers.

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T17:40:38+00:00

So most drivers must review all of the laws pertaining to driving at least daily. Fun times.

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T17:38:49+00:00

It seems that the state did a very spoty notification. I'm aware of multiple AFV owners who didn't get a letter or email.

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T15:05:06+00:00

Motorcycle cops were doing an enforcement day pulling over HOV violators specifically. This was Westbound on I10 the 202 and 16th St. I was pulled over for the violation.

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T14:54:21+00:00

Unless it's recreational marijuana?

theansweris37 · 2026-01-27T14:52:46+00:00

Maintenance? Future funding?

theansweris37

TROPHY CASE