Bus lane sign
What the Bus lane sign means: This lane is for buses during the times shown, so other vehicles must keep out of it.
- Group
- Regulatory signs
- Does this group carry the law
- Enforceable. Disobeying one is an offence in itself.
- In the sign deck
- 3 questions ask about this sign
What to do when you see it
- Keep out of the lane during the times shown on the sign.
- Use the lane briefly only where the rules allow it, to enter or leave the road or to turn, and get out of it again.
- Watch for buses pulling out from the kerb, because they are given priority when they signal in some situations.
- Outside the signed hours, treat it as a normal lane, but read the sign rather than assuming.
Where you see it
On arterial approaches into city centres, along busy bus corridors, and in the kerb side lane through shopping strips.
Across the states and territories
Which other vehicles may use a bus lane is set by each state and territory rather than nationally. Taxis, motorcycles and bicycles are permitted in some jurisdictions and not in others, and some cities use bus only lanes where nothing else may enter at all. Read the sign in front of you, since the permitted vehicles are usually listed on it.
Tell it apart from these
- Bus lanethis pageNo stopping
A bus lane restricts who may drive in the lane. A no stopping sign restricts stopping, and both can apply to the same stretch of kerb.
No stopping: You must not stop here at all, not even for a moment, unless there is an emergency.
- Bus lanethis pageOne way
Some bus lanes run against the general traffic direction on a one way street, which is why the two signs sometimes appear together.
One way: Traffic on this road travels in the direction of the arrow only.
How the knowledge tests use it
Questions usually turn on the times shown, and on the short distance you are allowed to travel in the lane in order to turn.
What does this sign mean?
A bus lane is set aside for buses while the times on the sign apply. A transit lane is the one that opens up to cars carrying enough passengers, and it is marked with a different sign.
Australian Road Rules rule 154, bus lanes
Common questions
- What does the Bus lane sign mean?
- This lane is for buses during the times shown, so other vehicles must keep out of it.
- What should you do when you see a Bus lane sign?
- Keep out of the lane during the times shown on the sign. Use the lane briefly only where the rules allow it, to enter or leave the road or to turn, and get out of it again. Watch for buses pulling out from the kerb, because they are given priority when they signal in some situations. Outside the signed hours, treat it as a normal lane, but read the sign rather than assuming.
- Where is the Bus lane sign used?
- On arterial approaches into city centres, along busy bus corridors, and in the kerb side lane through shopping strips.
- What is the Bus lane sign confused with?
- No stopping: A bus lane restricts who may drive in the lane. A no stopping sign restricts stopping, and both can apply to the same stretch of kerb. One way: Some bus lanes run against the general traffic direction on a one way street, which is why the two signs sometimes appear together.
- How do the knowledge tests ask about the Bus lane sign?
- Questions usually turn on the times shown, and on the short distance you are allowed to travel in the lane in order to turn.
Try it in a question
Original practice questions, not the official bank. How we write and check them.
More regulatory signs
Mostly white with red or black, and usually round or rectangular.