Can a hearse driver use the carpool lane?

Well it's an interesting question! I pulled over to see if there was anything I could do to assist a hearse driver who’s' hearse had broken down, with the "customer" in the back. He was already over an hour late for the funeral. The question could be broken down into two sections. The first is being the transportation of a deceased person to a funeral home. In that case I would think the answer could be no, as stated in another answer the "customer" isn't with in any more. The second section would be if a funeral was taking place and the hearse was in the process of taking the loved one to a cemetery. With most funerals there are two undertakers in the hearse. I can't see the point in the hearse using the carpool lane, as the mourners behind would lose the procession if there were any vehicle with only the one driver. My nephew sadly died of a drug overdose at the age of nineteen and during the drive from the Church to the cemetery, my car (I was going to say died) stopped. ...  more

Facetious answer: no, a hearse cannot drive in a carpool lane or anywhere else - I am not aware of a hearse being given a driver's license. The driver might have one but not the hearse. Real answer: no, a hearse cannot be driven in a carpool lane without the driver risking getting a ticket. The body in the back is not considered a passenger in our jurisdiction.  more