{"id":6133,"date":"2017-10-30T07:00:49","date_gmt":"2017-10-29T18:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/?p=6133"},"modified":"2020-07-15T09:36:42","modified_gmt":"2020-07-14T20:36:42","slug":"bus-lane-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/bus-lane-rules\/","title":{"rendered":"Bus lane rules"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bus lanes are lanes with specific rules about which vehicles can use them. There are four types of bus lane:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Bus-only lanes<\/li><li>Bus lanes<\/li><li>Bus and transit<\/li><li>Busways<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bus-only lanes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bus-only lanes are part of existing roads but designed only for buses. No other vehicles are allowed to use the lanes except to turn into or out of a side road or driveway or to cross them to park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-142\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/120px-New_Zealand_RG-35_exclusive.svg_.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-142\"\/><figcaption>This sign marks a bus-only lane<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-large wp-image-6136\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"353\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/bus-only-lanes-600x353.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6136\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/bus-only-lanes-600x353.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/bus-only-lanes-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/bus-only-lanes-768x452.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/bus-only-lanes.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption>Bus only lanes are sometimes painted with &#8216;bus only&#8217;, like this street in Wellington<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bus lanes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-large wp-image-4439\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"419\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/bus-motorbike-and-cycle-lane-600x419.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4439\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/bus-motorbike-and-cycle-lane-600x419.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/bus-motorbike-and-cycle-lane-300x210.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/bus-motorbike-and-cycle-lane-768x537.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/bus-motorbike-and-cycle-lane.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption>This bus lane also allows motorbikes and bikes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-large wp-image-6134\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"378\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/motorway-exit-including-bus-lane-600x378.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6134\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/motorway-exit-including-bus-lane-600x378.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/motorway-exit-including-bus-lane-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/motorway-exit-including-bus-lane-768x483.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/motorway-exit-including-bus-lane.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption>The motorway exit to Fanshawe Street includes a bus lane, painted in green<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-large wp-image-6135\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/bus-lane-road-marking3-600x400.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6135\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/bus-lane-road-marking3-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/bus-lane-road-marking3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/bus-lane-road-marking3-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/bus-lane-road-marking3.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption>Bus lanes are marked where they start, mostly in green but sometimes not.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Transit lanes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/roadcode-questions\/car\/behaviour\/on-a-transit-lane-sign-what-does-t2-mean\/\">T2 and T3 lanes<\/a> are for vehicles carrying more than two or three people, respectively. This includes buses and taxis even if they are empty, plus <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/lanes-motorbikes-can-use\/\">motorbikes<\/a>, mopeds and bicycles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/transit-lane-sign-t3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/transit-lane-sign-t3.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/transit-lane-sign-t3-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Busways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A busway is a dedicated road for buses that is separated from other lanes, for example, the Northern Busway north of Auckland. Only buses and service\/maintenance vehicles are allowed to travel on the lanes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fines for using bus lanes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-large wp-image-1794\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"595\" height=\"357\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/bus-lane-recording-595x357.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1794\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/bus-lane-recording-595x357.jpg 595w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/bus-lane-recording-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/bus-lane-recording.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 595px) 100vw, 595px\" \/><figcaption>Council contractor recording bus lane infringements on Fanshawe Street in Auckland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you ride or drive in a bus-only lane the infringement fine is $150.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When can you drive in a bus lane?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can drive in a bus lane if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>the bus lane is only active between certain times and it&#8217;s outside those times<\/li><li>you are driving a vehicle allowed in the bus lane (e.g. motorbikes can ride in standard bus lanes)<\/li><li>you are driving an emergency vehicle such as a police car, ambulance or fire engine and you are responding to an emergency with lights and or sirens operating<\/li><li>you are making a left turn to enter a driveway or side street, in which case you can drive in the bus lane for up to 50 metres<\/li><li>the road is blocked due to an accident or road works<\/li><li>you are driving a wide vehicle and you need to use the bus lane because your load is wider than one lane.<\/li><li>a person is signalling to turn right and is either slowing down or stopping and you wish to overtake them on the left. Confirmation can be found in the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.legislation.govt.nz\/regulation\/public\/2004\/0427\/latest\/whole.html#DLM303043\">legislation<\/a>: 2.3(3)(a)(iii) and (b) grant you permission to drive in a lane that would usually be unavailable to you if there is a road obstruction, assuming it&#8217;s safe. 2.8(2)(b) clarifies this.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are turning out of a driveway or side street, or you are turning right into a side street then you can cross a bus lane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can&#8217;t park in a bus lane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When are bus lanes in force?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unless they have signage, bus lanes operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How far can you drive in a bus lane?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can drive for 50 metres if you are turning left into a driveway or side road or to pull into a parking bay that&#8217;s not part of the bus lane.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bus lanes are lanes with specific rules about which vehicles can use them. There are four types of bus lane: Bus-only lanes Bus lanes Bus and transit Busways Bus-only lanes Bus-only lanes are part of existing roads but designed only<span class=\"ellipsis\">&hellip;<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/bus-lane-rules\/\">Read more &#8250;<\/a><\/div>\n<p><!-- end of .read-more --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6136,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[86],"class_list":["post-6133","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice","tag-lane-markings"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6133","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6133"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6133\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24642,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6133\/revisions\/24642"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6136"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6133"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6133"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6133"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}