Guidance

Bus and cycle signs and road markings

Updated 5 December 2023

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

No vehicles designed to carry more than 8 passengers (excluding driver) or local buses.

With-flow bus lane ahead that can also be used by pedal cycles and taxis. Hours of operation may be shown.

With-flow bus and pedal cycle lane sign showing hours of operation. Where no times are shown, the bus lane operates at all times.

The word ‘local’ on the bus symbol means the only buses that may use the lane are those running a local service. Where the word ‘local’ is not shown, the lane may be used by local buses and by any vehicle designed to carry 10 people or more including the driver. Other vehicles may enter and stop in a bus lane to load and unload unless signs alongside the lane indicate otherwise.

Off-side with-flow bus lane ahead that can also be used by pedal cycles.

Near-side with-flow bus lane ahead that can also be used by solo motorcycles, pedal cycles and taxis.

Near-side with-flow bus lane ahead that can also be used by authorised vehicles, solo motorcycles, pedal cycles and taxis.

Off-side with-flow bus lane that can also be used by pedal cycles.

Near-side with-flow bus lane that can also be used by solo motorcycles, pedal cycles and taxis.

Near-side with-flow bus lane that can also be used by authorised vehicles, solo motorcycles, pedal cycles and taxis.

Road markings indicating the start of a route for buses and other permitted vehicles shown on upright blue circular signs.

Bus lane road marking.

Traffic may use both lanes at the end of a bus lane.

Route for buses and pedal cycles only (older signs may include an ‘Only’ plate). Cycles not admitted when cycle symbol not shown.

Route for buses, pedal cycles, solo motorcycles and taxis only. The motorcycle symbol and word ‘taxi’ are omitted where these vehicles are not admitted.

Where the route is reserved for buses and/or other permitted vehicles for part of the day only, this is indicated by a time plate.

If a bank holiday falls on a day when the restrictions are in operation, the restrictions apply in the normal way.

Where there is a break in a bus lane at a junction, other traffic may use the left-hand lane for turning left only.

Bus lane on road at junction ahead.

End of bus lane.

Contraflow bus lane (the upward arrows indicate the number of traffic lanes available).

Contraflow bus and pedal cycle lane on road at junction ahead.

Reminder to pedestrians to look out for buses, or buses and pedal cycles, approaching from the right.

A bus gate is a short length of bus-only street.

Parking place for buses only, during times shown (with time limit).

Parking place for buses only (no time limit).

Stopping place for buses.

Place where local buses may stand, from which all other vehicles are prohibited during the times shown.

Stopping by vehicles other than local buses prohibited during the times shown.

Stopping place for tourist buses to allow passengers to take photographs.

Plates used to indicate exemptions for buses, taxis and pedal cycles from prohibitions such as turn left ahead and no left turn. These signs are circular when mounted in combination with traffic signals.

Bus stop.

Bus stop in a lay-by.

The broad continuous yellow line at the edge of the carriageway means that other vehicles are prohibited from stopping

Entrance to a bus station, depot or garage.

Cycle signs

Mandatory with-flow pedal cycle lane ahead. Hours of operation may be shown.

Mandatory with-flow pedal cycle lane. Hours of operation may be shown. Vehicles must not be driven or parked in this lane during its times of operation.

Route recommended for pedal cycles on the main carriageway of a road. This may be marked as an advisory pedal cycle lane.

Mandatory contraflow pedal cycle lane (the upward arrows indicate the number of traffic lanes available).

Road markings for a mandatory pedal cycle lane.

Road markings for an advisory pedal cycle lane. Other vehicles should not use this part of the carriageway unless it is unavoidable.

Contraflow pedal cycles in a one-way street (other than a mandatory contraflow cycle lane). This may be marked by a broken line on the carriageway or there may be no line at all.

Pedal cycle lane on road at junction ahead or (where ‘lane’ is varied to ‘track’) cycle track crossing road at junction ahead.

Reminder to pedestrians to look out for pedal cycles approaching from the right.

End of cycle lane, track or route.

Road marking indicating the end of a cycle lane, track or route.

Shared route for pedal cycles and pedestrians only.

Separated track and path for pedal cycles and pedestrians.

Route for pedal cycles only.

Shared route for horses, pedestrians and pedal cycles only.

Road marking separating cyclists and pedestrians on a shared route (may be a raised line up to 20 mm high).

Parking place for pedal cycles.

No through road except for pedal cycles.

Riding of pedal cycles prohibited.

Pedal cyclists to rejoin main carriageway at the end of or break in a cycle track or route shared with pedestrians.

No entry for vehicular traffic except pedal cycles.

Advance stop line for pedal cycles at traffic signals. When the signals are red, drivers of other vehicles must wait behind the first stop line. Drivers should allow time and space for cyclists to move off when the signals change to green. Cyclists are permitted to cross any part of the first stop line. A cycle lane might not be provided on the approach to the stop line.

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