Carol McDaniel of Lynnwood writes: “We own a 38-foot motorhome. I am wondering if we can use it in the carpool lane? We have at least two people in the vehicle. It says motorcycles, buses, etc., and I need to know if we qualify. Thank you.”
“She is good to go,” says Washington State Patrol Trooper Mark Francis.
He points to a portion of Washington Administrative Code 468-510-010, which specifically mentions that recreational vehicles are OK if occupancy requirements are met.
The WAC goes on to state that pretty much the only vehicle that can’t use the carpool lane — even if it has the right number of bodies — is a truck in excess of 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight that isn’t a tow truck on its way to an emergency.
Also allowed, assuming they don’t hit the weight limit, are camper trailers and boat trailers, provided the vehicle towing them has the required number of occupants (or pays a toll in the case of the I-405 express toll lanes).
Of course, as always, keep right except to pass.
April 29, 2016: This article was updated to clarify the rules for trailers.
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