Do bike cops have special privileges on the freeway?

Question

On my way home I saw one driving in the carpool lane, is he allowed to do that? It's in California, if that matters.

Answer 1

I am assuming you mean a cop on a motorcycle and not a bicycle, he'd have to be peddling pretty fast to be in the carpool aka "HOV" lanes on a highway.

Well cops, whether they are in cars or motorcycles are considered to be driving "emergency vehicles", this also includes ambulances and firetrucks. They are permitted to drive in High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes at all times regardless of he number of occupants.

Answer 2

I tell you what, next time you see one, flag him down and ask him what gives him the right to drive in the HOV lane.  I'm sure he'll be happy to explain it to you.

Come on.  He's an officer.  Sometimes his job requires that he be in the HOV lane to monitor the goings on.  What advantage does he get from driving the HOV lane?  He's going to log a few hundred miles in the course of his shift, if some of it is patrolling the HOV lanes, so be it.  Me?  I'm not going to lose a minute of sleep because an officer is patrolling the HOV lane.  It's not like he's rushing home or something.  If he has a real emergency, he's going to hit the lights and siren and you're going to get out of his way anyway.

Let the officer do his job as he sees fit.  Someday, his being in the HOV lane could land up saving your life.

Answer 3

ALL cops have special privileges. It's just a fact of life.

Cops do NOT write tickets to other cops.

Cops on duty are exempt from all vehicle code laws, can park wherever they want to, and get free food.

You should apply. The pay is good and so is the retirement package.