The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has announced that signs for High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-95 in Palm Beach County will remain in place, even though a new law effective July 1 allows all drivers to use these lanes without facing a $160 ticket.Anyone can now drive in the far-left lanes, but unfamiliar drivers from out of state may be confused because the signs are still up. Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 NewsFDOT says the signs are not going anywhere, and there is no timeline for removal. The agency says the decision will be made “on the best efficient and safe method” to do it while still having the lanes open for use. Regardless, FDOT says Florida Highway Patrol is not enforcing the lanes.Data obtained by WPBF 25 reflects that claim. FHP ticket data shows tickets for HOV lane violations have not been issued in recent months. Thirteen were given out in the days after the law change: seven have been dismissed, four cases remain open, and two people paid fines.Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.Those who paid fines can get their money back by writing a letter to the court system disputing the violation. “When laws change, the Department moves quickly to update all trooper training,” a spokesperson with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles told WPBF 25 News on Thursday.”Please note statewide implementation can take several weeks for numerous reasons, such as updating legal guidance, computer systems, and training materials for statewide dissemination. Our top priority is making sure that troopers have clear, accurate information to enforce current laws.”For those who received HOV citations on or after July 1, 2025, when the law took effect, the Department has already taken action to remove the violation from all affected driving records. FDOT says they will make it very clear to cities when they plan to remove the signs.FDOT’s full statement reads: “High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes on S.R. 9/I-95 are no longer being enforced since the passage of SB 1662. The HOV signage over the lanes will be removed once a decision is made on the best efficient and safe method to accomplish that while preserving the capability to manage the use of the lane. Local municipalities and the public will be notified on signing changes. For now, we have no timeline for removing the signs. Motorists transiting the corridor do not need to worry about HOV restrictions. FHP is aware of the change in legislation and are not enforcing the use of the lanes.”

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has announced that signs for High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-95 in Palm Beach County will remain in place, even though a new law effective July 1 allows all drivers to use these lanes without facing a $160 ticket.

Anyone can now drive in the far-left lanes, but unfamiliar drivers from out of state may be confused because the signs are still up.

Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News

FDOT says the signs are not going anywhere, and there is no timeline for removal. The agency says the decision will be made “on the best efficient and safe method” to do it while still having the lanes open for use.

Regardless, FDOT says Florida Highway Patrol is not enforcing the lanes.

Data obtained by WPBF 25 reflects that claim. FHP ticket data shows tickets for HOV lane violations have not been issued in recent months.

Thirteen were given out in the days after the law change: seven have been dismissed, four cases remain open, and two people paid fines.

Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.

Those who paid fines can get their money back by writing a letter to the court system disputing the violation.

“When laws change, the Department moves quickly to update all trooper training,” a spokesperson with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles told WPBF 25 News on Thursday.

“Please note statewide implementation can take several weeks for numerous reasons, such as updating legal guidance, computer systems, and training materials for statewide dissemination. Our top priority is making sure that troopers have clear, accurate information to enforce current laws.”

For those who received HOV citations on or after July 1, 2025, when the law took effect, the Department has already taken action to remove the violation from all affected driving records.

FDOT says they will make it very clear to cities when they plan to remove the signs.

FDOT’s full statement reads: “High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes on S.R. 9/I-95 are no longer being enforced since the passage of SB 1662. The HOV signage over the lanes will be removed once a decision is made on the best efficient and safe method to accomplish that while preserving the capability to manage the use of the lane. Local municipalities and the public will be notified on signing changes. For now, we have no timeline for removing the signs. Motorists transiting the corridor do not need to worry about HOV restrictions. FHP is aware of the change in legislation and are not enforcing the use of the lanes.”