How to Select an HOV Route in Utah without Passes
After calculating a route to your destination, swipe open the route information details, and look for the black and white Diamond icon. If a Diamond is not there, then no HOV routes were found to your destination. Tap the Routes icon to bring up alternative route options. Tap an option row with the Diamond 2+ icon (meaning HOV with 2 or more occupants, per Utah rules for Express Lanes -- other states may require 3+). Your route will now include instructions for entering and exiting the HOV lanes at appropriate places for your I-15 exit and for the best ETA to your destination.
Caution: Deviating from Waze's recommended route (including sometimes moving in and out of the HOV lane for best average speed) may cause your app to "forget" that you wanted an HOV route when it recalculates your ETA. If you see a "Proceed to Highlighted Route" instruction, move to the main freeway lanes when legal to do so to resume meaningful navigation instructions, or repeat the process above to select an HOV route again.