Signs, signals and pavement markings
On a city street, a lane marked with a diamond symbol is reserved for buses and high-occupancy vehicles. Your car does not qualify. Where the solid line beside it becomes a broken line, when may you enter that lane?
- When you are going to make a right turn at the next intersection. Correct answer
- Whenever the reserved lane is moving faster than your own lane.
- Never while the special conditions are in effect, even to turn.
Why
A diamond painted in a lane marks it as reserved for buses, high-occupancy vehicles such as car-pools and van-pools, bicycles or other special vehicles. While its conditions are in effect, you may use it only if your vehicle meets the occupancy or other requirements shown on the signs. On city streets, though, parts of the solid white line beside the diamond lane can be replaced by broken white lines, and there a vehicle that does not qualify may enter the lane to make a right turn at the next intersection. Entering because the lane moves faster is exactly what the reservation forbids. The broken stretch opens the lane to you for one purpose, a right turn at the next intersection, and the reservation stays in force for everything else.
Where this comes from
New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), April 2026 version. The correct answer is When you are going to make a right turn at the next intersection.
More on signs, signals and pavement markings
- Your traffic light is green, but a traffic officer standing in the intersection signals you to stop. What must you do?
- Ahead of you is a yellow, diamond-shaped sign with black symbols. What kind of sign is it?
- On a highway you notice a blue sign with white symbols. What is it most likely telling you?
- You want to know how far it is to the next town and which way to go. Which color of sign is meant to give you that information?