What is an Offside Bus Lane?

What Is an Offside Bus Lane?

If you're revising for your UK driving theory test, you’ll come across the term “offside bus lane.” It’s important to know what this means — not just for the test, but for real-life driving too.

Put simply, an offside bus lane is a bus lane that runs along the right-hand side of the road, rather than the left. In the UK, we drive on the left, so most of the time, bus lanes are found on the left-hand side — this is known as the nearside. But sometimes, especially in busy city centres or on multi-lane roads, a bus lane will be placed on the right-hand side — and that’s what we call an offside bus lane.

Why use an offside bus lane?

Offside bus lanes can help improve traffic flow and keep buses running on time. Here’s why they’re used:

Avoiding parked cars: On the left (nearside), buses often get stuck behind parked vehicles, delivery vans, or drivers turning left. Moving the bus lane to the right helps buses avoid these obstacles.
Faster bus journeys: With fewer things in the way, buses can keep moving, even when other lanes are slow.
More efficient at junctions: Offside lanes can help buses get to the front of the queue at traffic lights, giving them a head start.

How to spot an offside bus lane

Offside bus lanes are marked clearly with solid white lines and road signs. The signs will tell you:

Which vehicles can use the lane (usually buses, taxis, and cyclists)
What times the bus lane is in operation
Whether it's an offside or nearside lane

It’s important to always read the signs, as bus lane rules can change depending on the time of day.

Can you drive in an offside bus lane?

No — not unless the signs say you can. If you're driving a car, you're not allowed in the bus lane during its hours of operation. Driving in a bus lane when you're not supposed to can lead to a fine, and it’s something you could be tested on in the theory test.

Sometimes, you might need to cross a bus lane to turn right or enter a property — that’s allowed, but only if it’s safe and legal to do so. Again, check the road markings and signs.