I'm gonna suggest a tip that'll probably get me flamed and ridiculed for. But given your situation I am always willing to help if I can.
You have a 2007 4Runner. I used to have a 2004 4Runner, so I know the car pretty well. I'm sure it probably came with somewhat dark stained windows right?
What I used to do when I had my 4Runner while commuting, was I'd run in the carpool lane all the time and to hell with getting caught. Yes I know this is stupid but I did it none the less. I knew I took the risks and was fully prepared to pay up if I ever did get pulled over. So yea, can't blame me for that.
I took the risk because since its a pretty large car, and with dark windows, a CHP might give you the benefit of the doubt if they were watching the HOV lane for cheaters. Obviously they're not going to see the backseat area very well, depending on the hour of day how much daylight is still out. If its pretty dark already like during the winter time, I always felt pretty confident. Heck maybe even stick one of those 'Baby on Board' signs on the back to make people think you have babyseat in the back.
When I did pass a CHP in the lane next over, I didn't panic like other cheaters and try to move in and over somewhere behind the CHP before you pass him. I passed him up as quickly and confidently as I could, not doing anything out of the ordinary. They know the cheaters panic and will try to move over as if that's going to save their ass, and yes they do see that every time. That's when your ass gets busted for sure. I also tried to always follow behind a larger vehicle, tailing kinda close so as you pass a CHP you're right on a Greyhound Bus' ass, and just hope the HOV lane traffic is moving fast enough past him that he doesn't have enough time to scan your front passenger and rear passenger windows thoroughly. This worked for me many times, and I shamefully admit I never got caught while in that 4Runner.
I really only did this when non carpool lane traffic was horrendous and the HOV was flying by, and if normal lanes were moving at a decent pace then of course no need to be in the HOV lane risking it.
I don't do this anymore since I don't have the 4Runner anymore, and don't go through such bad commute as I used to. But I'll tell you what though, all those times I got away with it felt good to get one over on the law. I looked at it as payback for the times I was unjustly given bullshit made up speeding tickets by cops because they just wanted to fuck with a young man in a sports car.
Whether you want to try this or not is completely up to you, and I'm not responsible for anything that happens.
