NSW Transit Lanes, Bus Lanes and T-ways Explained

Photo: Prefine, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In NSW, a T2 transit lane needs at least two people in the car (driver included) and a T3 lane needs at least three, but only during the days and times on the sign. Other drivers can use a bus, transit or truck lane for up to 100 metres to enter or leave the road, overtake a car turning right or pull in from the side, and a bicycle or tram lane for up to 50 metres. You must not drive in a T-way or a bus only lane, and you may enter a tramway only to avoid an obstruction. This explainer covers every special lane in the NSW Road User Handbook, so learners and P platers know where they can and cannot drive.

Quick reference: special lanes in NSW

Lane	Who can use it	Other cars may enter
Transit lane (T2)	Vehicles with 2 or more people, during sign times	Up to 100 m
Transit lane (T3)	Vehicles with 3 or more people, during sign times	Up to 100 m
Bus lane	Buses, taxis, hire cars with HC plates, bicycles, motorcycles, some special purpose vehicles	Up to 100 m
Bus only lane	Buses only	No
T-way	Authorised buses and service vehicles	No
Truck lane	Vehicles over 4.5 t GVM, bicycles, some special vehicles	Up to 100 m
Tram lane	Trams, tram recovery vehicles, some buses	Up to 50 m
Tramway	Trams, tram recovery vehicles, some buses, special purpose vehicles	Only to avoid an obstruction
Bicycle lane	Bicycles	Up to 50 m

The short-distance allowance (100 m or 50 m) is only for three things:

entering or leaving the road
overtaking a vehicle that is turning right or making a U-turn
entering a lane from the side of the road.

You can also drive in a bus, transit, truck, tram or bicycle lane to avoid an obstruction, or wherever a sign says you can.

Transit lanes: T2 and T3 rules in NSW

A transit lane sign shows a T2 or T3 symbol and the days and times it operates.

T2: two or more people in the vehicle, including the driver.
T3: three or more people in the vehicle, including the driver.
Outside the times on the sign, any vehicle can use the lane.
These vehicles can use a transit lane whatever the number of people on board: public buses and minibuses, taxis, hire cars with HC plates, motorcycles, bicycles, and emergency, special purpose and breakdown vehicles.

Worked example: does a learner and supervisor count for T2?

Yes. A learner driving with a supervisor is two people including the driver, so the car can use a T2 lane during its hours. It cannot use a T3 lane unless a third person is in the car.

Bus lanes, bus only lanes and T-ways

Bus lanes

Bus lanes are for buses, but these can also use them:

taxis (not rideshare vehicles)
hire cars with HC number plates
bicycles and motorcycles
special purpose vehicles responding to an emergency under the direction of Transport for NSW.

You must not stop in a bus lane. Only buses at a bus stop, and taxis or chauffeur-driven hire cars picking up or dropping off, may stop there.

Bus only lanes

Where the sign or road marking says “Bus only” or “Buses only”, only buses can drive in the lane. The 100 m allowance does not apply.

T-ways

T-way lanes are for authorised buses and service vehicles. You must not drive in a T-way.

B signals

Some traffic lights have a white “B” signal for buses in a bus lane. It lights up shortly before the normal lights change, and only buses can go. Do not move off on a B signal.

Tram lanes, tramways and light rail

NSW has light rail networks in Sydney, Parramatta and Newcastle. The Road User Handbook calls light rail vehicles trams.

Tramways are marked by a “Tramway” sign and two continuous yellow lines along the tracks, or by a structure such as a traffic island, refuge or bollards. You may only enter to avoid an obstruction, and only if you do not move into the path of an approaching tram or bus.
Tram lanes have a “Tram lane” sign. You can use one for up to 50 m for the three permitted reasons, to avoid an obstruction, or where a sign allows. You must never move into the path of a tram in a tram lane.
T signals: a white “T” light means only trams can go. Do not follow it.

Truck lanes

Truck lanes are for vehicles over 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass, plus bicycles, special purpose vehicles and Transport for NSW survey vehicles. Cars can use them for up to 100 m for the three permitted reasons. A “Trucks must use left lane” sign is different: trucks must keep left until a sign ends the rule, but every other vehicle can also use that lane.

Bicycle lanes, bicycle paths and shared paths

Bicycle lanes start with a sign or a bicycle symbol and the word “Lane”, and end with “Lane end” or at an intersection. You can drive in one for up to 50 m for the permitted reasons. Check carefully for riders first.
Bicycle paths are separate from the road. Cars can only use one to enter or leave a road, or where a sign allows, and must give way to everyone on the path.
Shared paths are for bicycle riders and pedestrians only.

More on riders: minimum passing distance for cyclists in each state.

Slip lanes and median turning lanes

Slip lanes

A slip lane is a left-turn lane separated by a painted or raised island. If there is one, you must use it to turn left. In the slip lane you must give way to:

vehicles on the road you are turning into
oncoming vehicles turning right into that road
any vehicle or pedestrian in the slip lane.

Do not stop in a slip lane unless a parking sign allows it.

Median turning lanes

A median turning lane runs down the middle of the road and is shared by traffic from both directions turning right into a side road or driveway. You can enter it even if an oncoming car is already there, but you must give way to that car, slowing or stopping if needed.

Keep left and keep right signs

These are regulatory signs, so you must obey them by law. Pass to the left of a “Keep left” sign and to the right of a “Keep right” sign.

Common questions

Can learner drivers use transit lanes in NSW?

Yes, if the car has enough people. A learner plus supervisor meets the T2 rule. For T3 you need a third person.

Can I use a bus lane to turn left?

Yes, for up to 100 m to enter or leave the road, unless it is a bus only lane. Check signs, because some lanes have their own rules.

Can Uber or other rideshare cars use bus lanes?

No. The handbook allows taxis in bus lanes, but not rideshare vehicles.

Do transit lane rules apply at weekends?

Only if the sign says so. Each transit lane sign shows the days and times it operates. Outside those times, any vehicle can use the lane.

What if a car breaks down in front of me in a bus lane?

Any vehicle can drive in a bus, transit, truck, tram or bicycle lane to get around an obstruction.

Can I stop in a bus lane to drop off a friend?

No. Only buses at bus stops, and taxis or hire cars picking up or setting down passengers, can stop there.

Related guides

Sources

Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook” (nsw.gov.au)
Transport for NSW, “Light rail” (transport.nsw.gov.au)

NSW Transit Lanes, Bus Lanes, T-ways and Tram Lanes Explained