Utah HOV lane C Decal experience

[Linux64]

I just got pulled over by the Utah Highway Patrol on I-15 by Lagoon. He told me it was illegal to drive in the car pool lane by myself. I pointed to the very small "C Decal" that is properly affixed just to the right of my rear view mirror. Having the decal allows free use of Express/HOV lanes for single occupant vehicles and is available for qualifying clean fuel vehicles.

Referring to the decal he said, "This is the first time I've ever seen one of those before." and then apologized for wasting my time.

The C license plate used to be used for the same purpose. It obviously made it easy for the UHP to tell if a single occupant vehicle was authorized. The decal sticker is almost impossible to see. On the other hand maybe they should just assume that if the car is a Tesla (or any other "green" vehicle) that they've got the sticker?

Here in N. Utah I've only seen three other MSs besides my own, so most UHP officers are probably unfamiliar with the car.

Afterwards I thought maybe I should have said "This car is a 100% electric Tesla Model S. It is pretty recognizable, and it's probably a safe assumption that it has will have the C Decal".

 

[Denarius]

I've yet to be pulled over in the HOV lane. I use it every day in my commute to/from work. As you said, it is probably a good idea to point out that the car is all electric if you do get pulled over. Eventually our cars will be recognizable and we won't be bothered.

 

[Park2670]

Even when the toll passes were new they pulled people over. My wife was in the toll lane paying for it and has gotten pulled over twice in her ice. Sometimes the UHP is a little difficult.