Bus lane sign: what it means
The bus lane sign shows a lane ahead that is reserved for buses, and for any other vehicles shown on the sign, such as cycles and taxis. Other traffic should not drive in it while it is in operation.
What does the bus lane sign mean?
Know your traffic signs says a with-flow bus lane may also be used by the vehicles shown on the sign, here pedal cycles and taxis, and that the hours of operation may be shown. Where no times are shown, the bus lane operates at all times.
The word “local” on the bus symbol means only buses running a local service may use the lane.
Quick quiz
Bus lanes
-
Your lane is queuing beside an empty bus lane. Its operating period is in force, and the signs give your car no permission to use it. You want to continue along the road. What should you do?
- Stay out of the bus lane Right
- Use the bus lane until a bus appears
- Use the bus lane while traffic is queuing
- Enter the bus lane if you keep moving
The right answer is A: Stay out of the bus lane
WhyUnless indicated otherwise, you should stay out of a bus lane during its operating period.
Source: The Highway Code, rule 141
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Where will you see it?
On busy roads into and through town centres, usually as the left-hand lane. A thick solid white line separates it from the other lanes.
What should you do?
Read the sign for the vehicles and the times. If your vehicle is not shown and the lane is in operation, stay out of it. Rule 141 says you may enter a bus lane to stop, load or unload where this is not prohibited.
What do people get wrong?
Driving in an empty bus lane in a queue because no bus is coming. The lane is reserved during its hours whether or not a bus is there.
Common questions
What if the bus lane sign shows no times?
Then the bus lane operates at all times (Know your traffic signs).
Can I use a bus lane to turn left?
Where there is a break in a bus lane at a junction, other traffic may use the left-hand lane to turn left. Otherwise, follow the sign’s times and vehicles.
Compare with
Contraflow bus lane signBuses come towards you in their own lane.
Bus lane on road at junction ahead signThe road you turn into has a bus lane.
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Sources
Checked on 3 November 2026 against Know your traffic signs (bus and cycle signs and road markings) and The Highway Code rule 141.
- Know your traffic signs: bus and cycle signs and road markings, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 141, GOV.UK
- Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Traffic sign images are Crown copyright, from the Department for Transport. Sources and image credits.