Sharing the Road with Buses: Bus Lanes, Transit Lanes and Giving Way to Buses

Bus lanes

A bus lane is for buses and any other vehicles named on its sign. Keep out of it during the times marked on the sign, or at all times if no hours are shown. You may drive in it for up to 100 metres, but only when necessary to:

• enter or leave the road
• overtake a vehicle that is turning right or making a U-turn from the centre of the road
• avoid an obstruction

Some lanes are bus only and cannot be used by other vehicles. If you need to turn across one, give way to any buses in it.

Transit lanes

During the times on the signs, transit lanes are for buses, taxis, motorcycles, trams and vehicles carrying two or more people (T2) or three or more people (T3). You may drive in a transit lane for up to 100 metres if you need to make a turn. On a freeway, the right-lane rule also applies when a transit lane is to the right of the lane you are in. See special purpose lanes and freeways.

Buses pulling out

Watch for buses leaving the kerb. In a built-up area you must give way to a bus that is displaying a Give Way To Bus sign and signalling that it will pull out into the left lane.

Near bus stops

• Slow down when you approach a bus stop. People may step out from in front of or behind the bus.
• Do not stop on the approach side of a bus stop. See parking rules for the distances.
• Heavy vehicles such as buses need larger safety margins. Do not move into the space in front of one.
• On some freeways, signs let buses and taxis use the emergency stopping lane. Watch for them when you enter or leave.
• A bus on tram tracks is treated as a tram. See trams.

Traffic lights showing a white B on black are for buses. Other drivers must wait for the normal green. See traffic lights.

Based on the Victorian Road to Solo Driving handbook and the VicRoads learner and probationary pages. Rules change from time to time, so check vicroads.vic.gov.au for the latest.