Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 48, § 345. Designation of a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane on highways in the state highway system; penalty

A. The secretary or his designee may designate high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on any highway in the state highway system where adequate shoulders exist and may restrict the use thereof to vehicular traffic classified as a “high-occupancy vehicle (HOV)” to the extent that the secretary or his designee thinks it expedient. Nothing in this Section authorizes the secretary or his designee to designate an existing roadway or travel lane as a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane.

B. Terms as defined in R.S. 32:1 and R.S. 47:820.5.9 shall retain their definitions, unless the term or terms are specifically defined in this Subsection. Unless the context dictates otherwise, when used in this Section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

C. Any high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane designated pursuant to Subsection A of this Section may be used by a motorcycle or an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in R.S. 32:1, or by any other vehicle operated by the department or its agents when designated by the secretary of the department through the promulgation of rules and regulations, without regard to the number of riders or passengers, provided that the vehicle fulfills any applicable registration requirements of R.S. 47:820.5.9(D).

D. The department shall have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations related to enforcement, authorized use, and penalties of the high-occupancy vehicle lanes. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the rules and regulations shall be in accordance with the selected implementation method of the high-occupancy vehicle lanes.