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R3-5cP HOV 2+

A supplemental HOV 2+ plaque used with a lane-control sign to show that the lane is reserved for high-occupancy vehicles carrying two or more occupants. It carries the word legend HOV 2+ and is not used alone.

Sign Name
HOV 2+
General Meaning
A supplemental HOV 2+ plaque used with a lane-control sign to show that the lane is reserved for high-occupancy vehicles carrying two or more occupants.
MUTCD Code
R3-5cP
Official designation
Lane Control Plaque — HOV 2+ (R3-5cP) — FHWA Standard Highway Signs, Regulatory sheet 1-29
Typical Use
At the point where the regulation applies, per CA MUTCD Part 2B.
Sign Category
Regulatory Signs

Specifications

Standard Shape
Rectangle (Horizontal)
Background Color
White
Legend / Symbol
Black legend
Border
Black
Reflectivity
High Intensity (for nighttime visibility)
Compliance
MUTCD / CA MUTCD

Standard Sizes (inches)

  • Conventional Rectangle (Horizontal)24"–48" tall
  • Expressway Rectangle (Horizontal)36"–60" tall
  • Freeway Rectangle (Horizontal)48"–72" tall
View all standard sizes and options

Material / Application Notes

Mounted with a lane-control sign at HOV / carpool lane approaches. Confirm placement and supplemental plaques against the applicable CA MUTCD standard.

View this sign on the Federal MUTCD (FHWA)

California Notes

California-specific application notes and adoptions may differ. Review California requirements where applicable.

Go to California Notes
R3-5cP HOV 2+ — official FHWA layout

What It Means / When This Sign Is Used

In the field, R3-5cP HOV 2+ is typically positioned at the advance warning area, ahead of the work. Common deployments include mounted with a lane-control sign at HOV / carpool lane approaches; identifies the minimum occupancy for a reserved lane; used where lane restrictions continue through a work zone. Always confirm its size, retroreflective sheeting, spacing, and placement against the CA MUTCD 2026 and the reviewing agency before finalizing the traffic control plan.

Learn more about HOV 2+ sign requirements

When & Where It's Used

  • Mounted with a lane-control sign at HOV / carpool lane approaches
  • Identifies the minimum occupancy for a reserved lane
  • Used where lane restrictions continue through a work zone

Placement on a Traffic Control Plan

Where it sits
At the point where the regulation applies, per CA MUTCD Part 2B.
CA MUTCD reference
CA MUTCD Part 2B (Regulatory Signs)
Typical minimum size
24" × 12" (plaque)

California / Field Use Notes

Used in California with lane-control signing where an HOV (carpool) lane restriction applies through or near a work-zone approach, identifying the minimum vehicle occupancy for the lane.

In Los Angeles, temporary regulatory changes (speed, one-way, turn or entry restrictions) generally involve LADOT review, and on state highways Caltrans District 7. Regulatory authority cannot be created by signing alone — confirm the change is authorized by the agency with jurisdiction over the roadway.

Common Plan Review Comments

  • Temporary regulatory control not warranted or conflicts with existing control.
  • Reduced speed limit posted without proper speed-setting authorization.
  • Wrong-way protection (DO NOT ENTER / WRONG WAY) missing at closed approaches.
  • Sign size not appropriate for the facility.

Confirm the occupancy requirement and the lane it labels match the operating agency's HOV designation. Public Ready reviews lane-use control signing.

Educational reference only. This is not an official Caltrans, FHWA, or local agency publication and is not legal or engineering advice. Always verify sign selection, size, placement, spacing, and application against the current CA MUTCD 2026, Caltrans sign specifications, Standard Plans, project documents, and the reviewing agency’s requirements. Local jurisdictions may impose additional requirements, and final selection, placement, and dimensions may require engineering judgment or agency approval. Written against California MUTCD 2026 (effective January 18, 2026) and the Federal MUTCD 11th Edition. Official sources last verified June 2026.

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