Can you use a bus lane to overtake a vehicle turning right

Illegal use of a bus lane incurs one demerit point and a fine of $319. It is illegal for private vehicles to stop or pick up or set down passengers in a bus lane.

If you’re confused, frustrated and tempted with bus lanes, you are not alone. Simply put, there are two types of bus lanes: Bus lane (or B Lane) and 'BUS ONLY'.

Bus lane or B Lane can be used by public buses. According to the NSW Road Rules, a ‘public bus’ means a coach.

It then adds the following note: ‘Coach’ is defined in the Act to mean a motor vehicle that is: (a) constructed principally to carry persons, and (b) equipped to seat more than eight adult persons, and (c) used to convey passengers for hire, reward or in the course of trade or business.

Bicycles, taxis, hire cars (with HC plates), and motorcycles are also permitted to drive in these lanes. General traffic are also allowed in bus lanes for up to 100m in order to:

• Turn left or right into or out of a street.
• Enter or leave a property adjacent to the bus lane.
• Pass another vehicle that has stopped to turn right or to avoid an obstruction.

'BUS ONLY’ lanes are for the exclusive use of buses, and no private vehicle is ever allowed to drive in them. They will be clearly marked and often also have special traffic lights that allow buses priority when moving off at intersections. 

Many bus lanes have cameras to catch offenders. Illegal use of a bus lane incurs one licence demerit point and a fine of $319. Here you’ll find more information.

The answer is yes and no, as you can sometimes drive in Bus Lanes but only buses can drive in Bus Only lanes.

Though it is tempting, you can’t simply hop into a bus lane in Australia and drive on your merry way past thousands of people sitting in traffic. It doesn’t matter how good Tom Petty’s 'Runnin’ Down A Dream' is on your road trip, you have to obey the rules when it comes to bus lanes, of which there are two general types in Australia.

There are Bus Lanes (B Lanes) and Bus Only lanes, the latter of which only registered buses and coaches can drive in. Interestingly, the rules are a bit more lax when it comes to Bus Lanes. Bicycles, taxies, HC-plated hire cars and motorbikes are allowed to drive in Bus Lanes.

Car drivers are also allowed to travel up to 100m in a bus lane if they are turning into or out of a street (left or right), or are entering or leaving a property adjacent to the bus lane. You can also drive for up to 100m in a bus lane if you are passing another car that has stopped to turn right, or avoid an obstruction.

There are also designated areas where you are permitted to cross the bus lane to change lanes, move through an intersection, or to turn into a street. However, if they aren’t explicitly signposted as being one of these crossing areas, treat them like a normal bus lane.

The penalty for ignoring the rules is a $319 fine and one demerit point on your licence. And remember that many metro areas will have fixed cameras on bus lanes that photograph people driving in them!

The rules for driving in, around, on, or near bus lanes are well listed on the internet from what we found.

The NSW Roads and Maritime Services has its rules listed here, while VicRoads' can be viewed here.

The NRMA has a handy guide, too.

This article is not intended as legal advice. You should check with your local road authority to verify the information written here is suitable to your situation before driving in this manner.

​Did you know the difference between a Bus Lane and Bus Only Lane? Tell us in the comments section below.

Special purpose lanes include:

• bus lanes
• bike lanes
• tram lanes
• transit lanes.

You can travel in a special purpose lane if your vehicle is specifically allowed in the lane, or:

• to avoid an obstruction
• to obey traffic signs operating in the lane
• to travel a permitted distance—of up to 50m in a bike lane or 100m in any other special purpose lane—to
• enter or leave the road
• move from 1 part of the road to another—such as moving to or from a service road
• overtake to the left of a vehicle that’s signalling to turn right
• enter a marked lane from the side of the road.

Bus lanes

You can use a bus lane at any time if you are operating a bike, bus, taxi, limousine, or an emergency vehicle.

Buses, taxis and limousines can use bus lanes at any time to drop off or pick up passengers.

Motorcycles are not allowed to use a bus lane.

Check the signs used to identify bus lanes.

Bus only lanes

Only buses, and vehicles that are allowed to use busways, such as emergency vehicles, are permitted to use a bus only lane.

Bikes and taxis cannot use bus only lanes.

Check the signs used to identify bus only lanes.

Bike lanes

Bike lanes are marked lanes on a road specifically designated for use by bike riders. A bike lane must have a ‘bike lane’ sign installed at the beginning of it. If there is no bike lane sign, it is not a bike lane even if there are yellow or white bike symbols painted on the road.

You must give way to bikes when moving into a bike lane.

You can stop or park in a marked bike lane if you are allowed to drive in it and there are no signs or road markings prohibiting it.

Bike riders can choose whether to use a bike lane—it isn’t mandatory.

Personal mobility devices (rideables) are not allowed to use a bike lane.

Check the signs used to identify bike lanes.

Transit lanes

Transit lanes help public passenger services, and vehicles carrying multiple people improve their trip times.

You can travel in a transit lane if your vehicle is:

• carrying 2 or more people—travel permitted in T2 lanes only
• carrying 3 or more people—travel permitted in T2 and T3 lanes.

Exempted vehicles

You are allowed to travel in a transit lane at any time if you’re operating:

• a bike
• a bus
• a taxi or limousine
• a motorcycle
• an emergency vehicle.

Signage

Transit lanes can be identified by transit lane signs and road surface markings.

The signs show the times the lane is a transit lane—generally during peak hours—and if it’s a T2 or T3 transit lane.

If there is no time on the sign, the lane is a transit lane at all times.

Penalties for misuse

If you travel in a special purpose lane illegally, you may be fined.

When driving on a road marked with lane lines, you must keep your vehicle entirely within a lane. It is an offence to straddle a lane line except when passing a bicycle rider to give them the required room.

Changing lanes

When changing from one lane to another you must:

• only change lanes when it is safe to do so
• give way to any vehicle travelling in the other lane in the same direction
• give a change of direction signal, giving sufficient warning to other road users before changing lanes.

If you need to change lanes in order to turn left or right, or for any other purpose, change lanes well in advance to give yourself ample opportunity to turn with safety. see Giving Way when Changing Lanes

Continuous lane lines

On a multi-lane road, you must not cross or drive on a continuous white lane line, except to avoid an obstruction, or, to allow the required room to safely overtake a bicycle rider. This does not apply to the lines separating bus lanes or bicycle lanes, or the lines separating a road from a road-related area such as a parking bay.

Bus lanes

A bus lane is a lane denoted by signs, which is for the exclusive use of buses, emergency vehicles, bicycle riders and taxi drivers during the times stated in the signs.

If there are no times stated it applies at all times.

While the bus lane is in operation, you must not:

• park or stop a vehicle, other than a bus, in a bus lane
• drive in a bus lane, except when:
  • entering or leaving a road (e.g. another road, private property, parking area)
  • overtaking a vehicle turning right or making a U-turn from the centre of a road
  • avoiding an obstruction.

In each case the maximum distance you may drive in the bus lane is 100 metres.

Only public buses or emergency vehicles can use a "Bus Only" lane. Bus Only Lanes are painted red, or marked with red lane lines, and have "Bus Only" in white letters.Heavy penalties can apply to non-authorised vehicles travelling in Bus Only Lanes.

Bus Only Lane

Bus Only lanes start with the road painted with a red box with the words "Bus Only" in white.  This is repeated every 200 metres. Between the red "Bus Only" boxes a "Bus Only" lane will be shown as a continuous red line alongside the white lane line marking.

Only a public bus, or emergency vehicle can travel in a Bus Only Lane.

The Bus Only Lane document (PDF, 2209 KB) has more information about Bus Only Lanes.

Bicycle lanes

A bicycle lane is a lane indicated by a bicycle lane sign and lane line for the exclusive use of bicycle riders during the times stated on the signs. If there are no times stated, it applies at all times.  Bicycle Lanes may be coloured green where there is a greater potential for conflict between motor vehicles and bicycles.

While the bicycle lane is in operation, you must not:

• park or stop a vehicle in a bicycle lane
• drive a vehicle (including a motorcycle) in a bicycle lane, except when:
  • entering or leaving the road from private property, a parking area or another road
  • overtaking a vehicle turning right or making a U-turn from the centre of a road
  • avoiding an obstruction.

In each case the maximum distance you may drive in the bicycle lane is 50 metres providing you indicate and give way to bicycle riders.

Edge lines

You may only cross a continuous edge line including a line that separates where vehicles park when:

• turning at an intersection
• entering or leaving a road
• entering a part of a road of one kind from a part of a road of another kind, for example, moving into an emergency stopping lane
• overtaking a vehicle that is turning right
• driving a slow moving vehicle
• stopping at the side of the road
• driving a vehicle that is too wide or too long to drive without driving on or over the edge line
• The maximum distance you may drive across an edge line to enter or leave or overtake on the left of a vehicle intending to turn right is 100 metres.

Reversing

• You must not reverse unless it is safe to do so.
• You must not reverse any further than necessary.

When you reverse:

• always drive slowly and carefully
• always check in all directions before starting to reverse, particularly behind your vehicle. If necessary, get out and walk to the rear to ensure there is no obstruction or danger not visible from the driver's seat e.g. a child
• do not start reversing if there are pedestrians behind your vehicle or about to walk behind it. If necessary, sound your horn to warn pedestrians
• always look in the direction you are intending to reverse before beginning to move and continue looking in that direction while reversing, with occasional brief checks in all other directions. Use direct vision whenever possible - only use mirrors when direct vision is not possible.

Driving on footpaths

You must not ride or drive on a footpath except to enter or leave, by the shortest practicable route, adjacent property or a road-related area. When crossing a road-related area to enter or leave a road you must give way to any vehicle on the road, any pedestrian on the road and any other vehicle ahead of the driver's vehicle or approaching from the left or right. Watch out for bicycle riders riding on footpaths.

Driving on a traffic island

You cannot drive on a traffic island or median.

Driving on a median strip

You must drive to the left of a median strip unless you are entering or leaving a median strip parking area or you are required to drive to the right of the median strip by a keep right sign.

Driving on a dividing strip

You must not drive on a dividing strip except:

• to allow the required room to safely overtake a bicycle rider
• to avoid an obstruction
• to enter or leave a road
• to enter an area in the dividing strip where parking is permitted.

but only if it is safe to do so and you have a clear view of the road.

Driving on a painted island

You must not drive over a painted island however, you may drive on or over a single continuous line surrounding a painted island for up to 50 metres:

• to allow the required room to safely overtake a bicycle rider
• to enter or leave a road
• to enter a turning lane that begins at the end of the painted island.
• park in angle parking on the opposite side of the road

However, you must give way to any vehicle that is in the turning lane or entering the turning lane from the marked lane or line of traffic immediately to the left of the turning lane.