The signage on 101 for fastrak express lanes continue to confuse. Anecdotes from arrivals from out of town renting a car are given 10 minute video courses on how to use them. They are not intuitive and so many of the fines are given to people who had no idea they were using them wrong. Very bad signage and very bad implementation.

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what does HOV mean?

Jennifer I have clocked over half a million miles in my lifetime and have been on more tollways than most. These "dynamic" signs overhead are distracting and confusing. At 65 MPH, you barely have time to read them. Here's what visitors (or locals!) should know before treading on one of them: Get a prepaid debit card, and register on the FasTrak website to allow them to collect the toll that way. You don't have to get a tolltag for your windshield, or do anything except allow them to take your pretty picture on the way through (just the tag, not the face) and charge it to the credit card number you sign up with. If you're renting a car, you can login and change the car's tag number to match whatever you're driving. You can change the credit card or the license plate any time, any place. It has nothing to do with reading comprehension. That will NOT get the bill paid. You can read it a thousand times and still not learn anything on the sign that tells you how to pay the bill to avoid getting a hefty ticket.

@Joel: HOV is High Occupancy Vehicle

Sorry for being so dull. but what does "High occupancy" mean? Over two people?

@Joel, vehicles carrying 2 or more qualify. Also, electric cars or those with alternative fuels qualify regardless of how many people are in it. And motorcycles, with one rider or however many they can fit on the seat :)

Basically if it's just you, thinking you're riding in the fast lane for free on the "freeway" during posted HOV hours or in a dedicated HOV lane all alone, you are gonna get a ticket.

What is Fastrak? What is HOV? How far are those named off ramps? These are questions that people who are new to the Peninsula. These express lanes work differently to the LA area express lanes and those in the East Bay.

My reading comprehension is fine. We used to be free with more than 2 passengers, not any more. We used to have Diamond Lanes operating only for morning and evening commute times. That is not the case any longer. Jargon and alterations to the rules caused lots of confusion. Nothing to do with reading comprehension particularly as you are driving at 65 mph and need to pay attention to the road not read signs which are not clear.

We will soon have these on more roads. I suspect there will be more fines for those who are unfamiliar with the system and unaware they are breaking the rules.

One of the challenges of traveling and renting a car anywhere other than home is figuring out the toll system. The rental car companies are not great at helping one assess whether the "deal" they're offering for tolls is beneficial for you or a scam to benefit them. Caveat emptor, and do your research before traveling.

You can read the HOV signs from a distance. The same way you would read an exit sign. As long as you know what HOV means, the signs are self-explanatory. If you don't understand the signs, don't use them and being billed won't be a concern. I understand the signs, and still don't use them. I use the lanes my tax dollars are already paying for.