The safest lane choice starts before you reach the road markings. Look ahead for bus-lane signs and operating hours, then plan any move smoothly so you are not making a last-minute decision near a junction.
Check the signs
Operating times and restrictions determine whether the lane is available.
Situations where you avoid or move from the left lane
the lane is blocked by a hazard or slow moving vehicle
the signs or road markings are obscured or worn
you are allowing the emergence of vehicles from the left e.g. from bus stops or slip roads
when you are turning right
when road markings or signs advise of a lane closure or restriction e.g. Bus lane or road works
Avoid sitting unnecessarily in a general-traffic lane if a bus lane is legally open for normal traffic.
Should you use the bus lane on the driving test and how does your examiner evaluate your use or non-use of them?
If you try and enter a bus lane during its time of operation the examiner will give you a moment to notice, but then have to intervene (because if they don't the car owner may receive a fine) and you will have failed your driving test.
If the bus lane isn't in operation the road should be treated as you would any other with more than one lane. If you don't and just avoid it anyway, your examiner will be observing the situation and asking themselves if any of the examples mentioned above apply, if they don't you will receive at least one minor for road positioning. So what's a minor in the grand scale of things I here you say, well this can easily become a major, test failing fault if you...
Hold up vehicles behind when there is a clear and obvious opportunity to be in the left lane
Move (to ovoid the not operational bus lane) without due care and attention
Habitually not using bus lanes on several roads during the test
Try and move to the left late, without proper observations and signals.
DVSA-approved driving instructor serving West Edinburgh. About Adrian → · Instagram →