Buses, Luas and light rail

By the end of this topic you can

• You can recognise bus lanes, tram lanes and tram-only streets.
• You can read a bus lane information plate and use the lane legally.
• You can drive safely near bus stops and buses pulling out.
• You can cross tram tracks and junctions without stopping on the tracks.
• You can keep a safe distance from trams.

What you need to know and understand

• A with-flow bus lane may be used by cars only outside the hours on its information plate.
• Contra-flow bus lanes are closed to cars at all times.
• A tram lane is in force during the times shown on its information plate. You may cross it to reach premises or a side road, or enter it briefly to overtake when safe.
• Trams have their own light signals. Do not follow a tram through a junction unless your own signal allows it.
• Never stop on tram tracks or in a yellow box at a tram crossing.
• Do not stop or park in a tram lane while it is in force.
• Overhead tram wires are live; never touch them, even with a long load.

Buses and bus stops

Look well ahead for buses at stops. Passengers often cross in front of or behind a bus, and the bus may pull out with little warning. Where it is safe, let a bus signalling to pull out rejoin the traffic. Do not stop or park in a bus stop, which is marked BUS on the road.

Reading tram signs

• Blue tram lane sign: a tram lane runs beside you. Do not drive along it while it is in force; you may only cross it for access or enter it to overtake when safe.
• No Entry with an Except Trams plate: trams only.
• No Entry with an Except Trams and Access plate: enter only to get into or out of a building.
• LÁNA TRAM on the road: a section shared by trams and other vehicles. Take extra care.
• Warning signs: tramway crossing ahead, or overhead electric cables.

Driving safely near the Luas

A tram is long and heavy, cannot steer round you and needs a long distance to stop. Treat it with the same respect as a train.

• Never tailgate a tram. It may stop at a platform or junction.
• Before crossing the tracks, make sure there is room for your whole car beyond them.
• Obey your own traffic light, not the tram's signal.
• Watch for pedestrians crossing near tram stops.
• Give cyclists room near tracks, as rails are slippery and can catch a wheel.
• If you miss a turn, carry on and find another route. Do not reverse or U-turn across the tracks.

Common mistakes

• Moving off when the tram beside you moves, while your own light is still red.
• Stopping on the tracks in queuing traffic.
• Driving along a tram lane as if it were an extra traffic lane.
• Assuming every bus lane has the same hours.
• Passing a stopped bus too fast while passengers are crossing.

Test yourself: Buses, Luas and light rail

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Bus Lanes, Luas Trams and Light Rail