If you’ve ever found yourself nervously peering at signs while driving through city streets, you’re not alone. Many drivers have faced the frustration of getting a fine for driving in a bus lane. One of the key rules that often trips people up is the 20-metre rule.
Understanding this rule can help you avoid unnecessary fines and navigate bus lanes with confidence. In this article, we’ll break down what the 20-metre rule is, whether it exists, why it matters, and how you can stay on the right side of the law while driving in the UK.
If you’re ready, let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
MORE
LESS
Bus Lane Fine 20-Metre Rule: An Intro
According to the bus lane fine 20-metre rule, motorists will not be fined if they travel in a bus lane by mistake for less than 20-metres.
However, is there such a rule?
NO. The bus lane fine 20-metre rule is false and it’s a myth of many motorists.
You’ll be issued a fine for driving in a bus lane even if you enter a bus lane by mistake. Travelling in a bus lane is not legally allowed even if it’s for 20 metres.
Many motorists believe they can avoid the fine for driving in a bus lane if they exit the lane quickly. However, this is not true. The cameras can catch you and you’ll have to incur the penalty.
The persistence of the bus lane fine 20-metre rule myth could stem from misunderstanding or misinformation. Some might have heard anecdotes of fines being dismissed in similar scenarios, but these are exceptions rather than the norm.
Remember some drivers receive two bus lane fines for travelling in the bus lane twice in the same journey.
Hence, you must use bus lanes only during the allowed hours and ensure your vehicle is authorised to enter the bus lane during these hours to avoid a fine for driving in a bus lane.
Suppose you got caught driving in a bus lane. How much is a bus lane fine? What would your next steps be? Is there a way to get out of it? Let’s find out.
Fine For Driving In A Bus Lane: How Much Is It?
The fine for driving in a bus lane varies depending on your location and specific local authority rules.
For example, in London, the fine for driving in a bus lane is around £160 while in other areas it’s much cheaper and around £80. Additionally, you get a 50% discount if you pay the fine within 14 days of receiving the fine notice.
This means you only have to pay £80 if you’re in London and £30 outside London.
The fines are higher in some areas due to higher congestion charges and stricter enforcement policies. You must be aware of the local traffic regulations of the specific area you travel in.
Note: You’ll not get penalty points on your license for driving in a bus lane mistakenly. Therefore the fine for driving in a bus lane will not affect your vehicle insurance premium negatively.
If you are struggling to pay your fines and debts, contact the Money Advisor Team for guidance.
Are you struggling with unaffordable debt?
- Affordable repayments
- Reduce Pressure from people you owe
- One simple monthly payment
Is paying the fine always the best decision? On which occasions can you appeal the bus lane fine successfully? Keep reading to find out.
Bus Lane Appeal 20 Metre Rule
If you have entered a bus lane purposely or by mistake the cameras will capture it.
So, you won’t have many excuses to avoid paying the fine for driving in a bus lane. In this case, you have less chance of winning an appeal, hence, paying the fine promptly is a better option.
This way you can save money and be free of the stress of going through the appeal process.
However, you can appeal the decision in the following cases:
- Your car was stolen. In this case, report the theft immediately and provide a crime report as evidence.
- The road sign was unclear, hidden, or damaged. You must provide photographs showing the unclear sign to prove your claim.
- You entered the bus lane to prevent a collision with another vehicle. You must provide a detailed description of the incident while appealing. Witness statements can strengthen your case more.
- Any other emergencies.
Now, let’s look at the steps to appeal the bus lane fine.
Paying the fine is not always the right option. If you have a valid reason to enter the bus lane you must appeal the fine. Follow the below steps for a successful appeal.
If you receive the fine for driving in a bus lane while in the vehicle you must submit the appeal within 14 days. If you receive the fine by post you have 21 days to submit an informal appeal.
Include a well-structured letter indicating the reason for entering the bus lane and why you think it’s not an offence along with the evidence.
You must respond to the rejection notice with a formal appeal within 28 days. A formal appeal includes a more detailed submission with additional evidence or legal arguments.
This is the final stage where an independent adjudicator reviews your appeal and makes a binding decision.
The Independent Tribunal doesn’t have any correspondence with the local authority issuing the fine for driving in a bus lane. So, you’ll get an unbiased decision.
If the Independent Tribunal rejects your appeal, you must pay the fine within the given timeframe. Failing to pay before the deadline will increase the fine by 50%.
Consequences Of Ignoring A Bus Lane Fine
Ignoring a bus lane fine will only make matters worse.
First, the fine will increase by 50%, which means you have to pay £240 instead of £160 in London and £90 instead of £60 in other cities.
If you miss the deadline for paying the increased fine, the local authority will register your fine for driving in a bus lane as a real debt.
The court can use debt enforcement services and bailiffs to recover the debt.
Overall, late fines strain your budget and dealing with debt collectors and court orders can be stressful. To avoid these severe consequences, it’s crucial to address the fine promptly, either by paying it or by submitting a timely appeal.
If you are in a financial crisis and can’t afford to pay the fines contact a debt charity. They’ll provide free guidance to pay off your debts. Below are some debt charities in the UK:
- StepChange Debt Charity.
- Citizens Advice.
- National Debtline.
How To Avoid A Fine For Driving In A Bus Lane
Receiving a fine can be stressful. Hence, it’s better to avoid the fines altogether. Below are some tips for you to avoid bus lane fines.
- Be Aware of Signage: Bus lanes are marked with solid white lines and signage indicating operational hours.
Always look for these signs to avoid accidental entry. Pay special attention to road markings and signs that specify bus lane times and exceptions.
- Plan Your Route: Use a GPS or map to plan your route, especially in unfamiliar areas.
This helps you stay clear of bus lanes. Modern navigation systems often alert drivers about bus lanes, helping to avoid costly mistakes.
- Stay Vigilant: Pay attention to the road markings and signs as you drive, particularly in city centres where bus lanes are common.
Regularly checking for updates on local traffic rules can also help in avoiding inadvertent violations.
The forum post below shows an example of a motorist violating the bus lane rule due to unawareness.
Source: The Student Room
Note: Despite common belief, the bus lane fine 20 metre rule does not exist. Entering a bus lane, even for a short distance, can result in a fine. Always exit a bus lane safely and as soon as possible to minimize your risk.
Fine For Driving In A Bus Lane: Final Thoughts
The bus lane fine 20 metre rule is a myth and it’s not true. If you drive in a bus lane in the non- operational hours even for a short distance you’ll receive a penalty notice. You may get a fine for driving in a bus lane when you are in the vehicle or by post.
The fine amount varies among cities and paying it within 14 days will earn you a 50% discount. You can appeal the fine if you have a valid reason for entering the bus lane and have clear evidence to prove it.
You must submit the appeal within the given timeframe. If the Independent Tribunal rejects your appeal you should pay the fine before the deadline as non-payment can lead to severe consequences such as debt enforcement orders by the court.
If you are unable to pay the fines contact a debt charity or fill out this online form and one of our debt advisors will contact you for guidance. Always be vigilant, informed, and proactive to avoid the fine for driving in a bus lane.
Key Points
- The widely believed “bus lane fine 20 metre rule” is a myth. There is no legal exemption for driving up to 20 metres in a bus lane without receiving a fine.
- Fines for driving in a bus lane vary by location. In London, it’s £160, reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days. Outside London, fines are typically £60, reduced to £30 for early payment.
- You can appeal a bus lane fine on grounds such as unclear signage, avoiding an accident, or if the vehicle was stolen. Collecting and presenting strong evidence is crucial for a successful appeal.
- Ignoring a bus lane fine leads to a 50% increase in the penalty. Continued non-payment can result in the fine being registered as a debt, leading to enforcement actions like visits from bailiffs.
- Driving in a bus lane does not add penalty points to your driving license, so it doesn’t impact your vehicle insurance premiums.
- To avoid bus lane fines, be vigilant about road signs, plan your routes using GPS, and regularly check local traffic rules to stay informed and avoid inadvertent violations.
- Misunderstandings about the bus lane rules, such as the non-existent 20-metre allowance, can lead to unnecessary fines. Always refer to official guidelines to ensure compliance.
FAQs
If you enter a bus lane during the restricted hours, you’ll receive a fine for driving in a bus lane. You must check the signage properly before driving and the local regulations may vary in different cities. So, you must be aware of that too.
Yes, it is possible to receive multiple fines for entering a bus lane multiple times in a single trip. Each instance of entering the bus lane can be recorded and fined separately, especially if captured by different cameras along your route.
Yes, you can contest a bus lane fine if you believe there was a delay in receiving the notice. In your appeal, provide evidence of the delay, such as postal receipts or statements indicating when you actually received the notice. This can help support your case.
Bus lane fine appeals are often rejected if the evidence provided is insufficient or if the appeal is based on misconceptions, such as the non-existent 20-metre rule. Appeals may also be denied if the infraction was clearly captured on camera and the signage was visible and clear.
Yes, local authorities can use various types of cameras to enforce bus lane restrictions. These include fixed roadside cameras, mobile enforcement vehicles, and even camera-equipped buses. These cameras capture footage of vehicles in bus lanes, which is then reviewed to issue fines.
