1970s and 1980s
TSRGD 1975 and TSRGD 1981 didn’t formally define bus lanes. Instead the descriptions of signs and road markings referred to:
lane marked on the carriageway by the marking in diagram 1048 (BUS LANE) and bounded by the marking in diagram 1049 [solid longitudinal line] reserved for the use of stage carriages, scheduled express carriages, school buses and works buses …
1994
TSRGD 1994 introduced a formal definition of bus lanes as far as some traffic signs were concerned:
23.— (1) In the sign shown in diagram 962, 962.2, 963, 963.2, 964, 1048 or 1048.1 the expression “bus lane” has the meaning given in paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) Before 1st January 1997 “bus lane” …
(3) After 31st December 1996 “bus lane” … means a traffic lane reserved for—
(a) motor vehicles constructed or adapted to carry more than 8 passengers (exclusive of the driver);
(b) local buses not so constructed or adapted; and
(c) pedal cycles and taxis where indicated …
There is a significant change here: for the specified signs, bus lanes are no longer exclusively lanes with the solid white line at their outside edge. Now they are traffic lanes reserved for buses and, if the signage so permits, pedal cycles and taxis. This meant that some signs which warned pedestrians and motorists of bus lanes could be used regardless of whether the bus lane was a “proper” bus lane or not. The specified signs included diagrams:
962 and 962.2 (formerly 812.2): bus lane(s) on a road at junction ahead
963 (formerly 810.1): direction in which pedestrians should look when crossing a bus lane;
964 (formerly 655): end of a bus lane.
As General Direction 16 bundled diagram 1048 (BUS LANE) or 1048.1 (BUS AND <cycle symbol> LANE) with diagram 1049 (solid longitudinal line) and diagram 959 or 960 (start of a bus lane), those road markings remained exclusively for use with “proper” bus lanes.
2002
TSRGD 2002 added the following diagrams to the list of specified signs for which “bus lane” meant any lane reserved for buses:
877 (formerly 812): lanes at junction ahead
878: bus lane cameras
It also added the “BUS ONLY” and “BUS & <cycle> ONLY” road markings for use on “improper” bus lanes.
2010
In 1999, local authorities in London were given powers to use CCTV evidence in civil enforcement of bus lane contraventions. This was extended to other local authorities in England in 2005. In 2006, civil enforcement in London was extended to moving traffic contraventions, including those at bus gates. Outside London, local authorities did not acquire such powers until 2022.
Oxford High Street has had a bus gate since 1999. It used specially-authorised signage because the restriction did not comply with TSRGD's requirements for a bus lane, nor with the requirements for blue roundels (the restriction was part-time). Having consulted their lawyers, Oxfordshire started taking civil enforcement proceedings for contraventions under the bus lane regulations.
After some successful appeals by motorists, Oxfordshire took judicial review proceedings against The Bus Lane Adjudicator. The resulting judgment in 2010 found that, for the purposes of Transport Act 2000, the whole width of Oxford High Street at the restriction was a bus lane. Local authorities outside London could use civil enforcement at bus gates because they were bus lanes under Transport Act 2000.
2016
TSRGD 2016 added solo motor cycles to the vehicles allowed to use bus lanes and replaced “BUS ONLY” and “BUS & <cycle> ONLY” road markings with “BUS GATE”.
It defines bus lanes as:
a traffic lane reserved for—
(a) buses; and
(b) where indicated on a sign, authorised vehicles, pedal cycles, solo motor cycles or taxis
At the same time, the BUS GATE road marking is defined as:
Road or part of a road with access permitted only for buses and other vehicles when so indicated by any of the [blue roundel signs which include a bus]
These changes (together with other legislation) effectively dissolve the distinction between bus lanes and bus gates. Any area of road restricted to buses and other vehicles specified on a blue roundel can be regarded as a bus lane or a bus gate (or both). Local authorities can choose which type of signage to use. It is common now for contraflow bus lanes to start with signage for a bus gate.
The signage for bus lanes indicates that they are bus lanes and whether they admit cycles, taxis and motorcycles. When these additional vehicles are shown, this means that they are admitted, but not that they are the only vehicles permitted in addition to buses. The traffic orders usually specify that the emergency services and council refuse vehicles can also use a bus lane; they may also specify that other vehicles, e.g. liveried Royal Mail vehicles can. They also allow vehicles working at adjacent premises not only to use the lane but to ... (see 1980s TRO).
With-flow bus lanes almost always start with the bus lane signage for them. The same has never been true of contraflow bus lanes. Other signs have often been used: either a No Entry with an "Except buses" plate or a blue roundel showing a bus and other permitted vehicles. These are shown below, along with the Start of Contraflow Bus Lane sign:
If a Start of Contraflow Bus Lane sign is used, no issues arise if the traffic order permits other vehicles not shown on the sign to use it. But if one of the alternative signs is used, they do. The meaning of such signs is set out in the traffic signs regulations, and they do not permit other vehicles to be used. While there is a general understanding that the emergency services can disregard the signs, some local authorities' traffic orders for bus lanes authorise their use by vehicles providing council services.
With the blue roundels, until 2016 some local authorities obtained special permission from DfT to use the plate "and authorised vehicles" beneath the sign. With TSRGD 2016, this plate was made available as a standard option. Some local authorities use it when they place blue roundels at the start of contraflow bus lanes. Others do not.
This is not a mere procedural irregularity of the type which can be waved away by referring to Soneji. Regulation 18 of LATOR 1996 requires local authorities to place signs which show the effect of a traffic order on a road. There are signs which do that: Start of a Contraflow Bus Lane or a blue roundel with an "and authorised vehicles" plate.
Written 16th November 2025; last updated 16th November 2025