--- title: "Bus lane, bus gate and tram signs | The License Desk" url: https://www.thelicensedesk.com/road-signs/bus-and-tram-signs/ updated: 2026-09-26 --- > Source: https://www.thelicensedesk.com/road-signs/bus-and-tram-signs/ — last reviewed 2026-09-26. Markdown version generated at build time from the same content the page serves. 49 official signs · Department for Transport artwork # Bus lane, bus gate and tram signs The Highway Code was amended on 22 October 2025 so that bus-and-cycle-only and tram-only signs no longer need an “only” plate beneath them; you may still see older signs with the plate. Trams can be very quiet, so take extra care near them. Quick answer Bus and tram signs show lanes, gates and routes reserved for buses, trams and sometimes cyclists or taxis. A bus lane sign gives the times it operates — outside those times other traffic may use it. Tram signs warn of trams crossing or sharing the road and of tram-only routes. ## What does each bus and tram sign mean? Each sign is shown with its official meaning from the Department for Transport. Tap through to the quiz when you’re ready to test yourself. - ![Buses prohibited — UK road sign](/signs/uk/952-buses-prohibited.webp) Buses prohibited - ![Cycle route ahead warning — UK road sign](/signs/uk/950-cycle-route-ahead-warning.webp) Cycle route ahead warning - ![Riding of pedal cycles prohibited — UK road sign](/signs/uk/951-riding-of-pedal-cycles-prohibited.webp) Riding of pedal cycles prohibited - ![Route comprising a separated track and path for cycles and pedestrians — UK road sign](/signs/uk/957-route-comprising-a-separated-track-and-path-for-cycles-and-p.webp) Route comprising a separated track and path for cycles and pedestrians - ![Route for use by buses and cycles only — UK road sign](/signs/uk/953-953-2-route-for-use-by-buses-and-cycles-only.webp) Route for use by buses and cycles only - ![Route for use by buses and tramcars only — UK road sign](/signs/uk/953-1v-route-for-use-by-buses-and-tramcars-only.webp) Route for use by buses and tramcars only - ![Route for use by buses, pedal cycles and taxis only — UK road sign](/signs/uk/953-route-for-use-by-buses-pedal-cycles-and-taxis-only.webp) Route for use by buses, pedal cycles and taxis only - ![Route for use by pedal cycles and pedestrians only — UK road sign](/signs/uk/956-route-for-use-by-pedal-cycles-and-pedestrians-only.webp) Route for use by pedal cycles and pedestrians only - ![Route for use by pedal cycles only — UK road sign](/signs/uk/955-route-for-use-by-pedal-cycles-only.webp) Route for use by pedal cycles only - ![Route for use by tramcars only — UK road sign](/signs/uk/953-1-route-for-use-by-tramcars-only.webp) Route for use by tramcars only - ![Tramcars crossing ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/772-tramcars-crossing-ahead.webp) Tramcars crossing ahead - ![Appropriate traffic lanes for different manoeuvres at a junction after a break in a bus lane — UK road sign](/signs/uk/877l-appropriate-traffic-lanes-for-different-manoeuvres-at-a-junc.webp) Appropriate traffic lanes for different manoeuvres at a junction after a break in a bus lane - ![Bus lane on road at junction ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/962-bus-lane-on-road-at-junction-ahead.webp) Bus lane on road at junction ahead - ![Bus lane with traffic proceeding from both ways (reminder for pedestrians) — UK road sign](/signs/uk/963t-bus-lane-with-traffic-proceeding-from-both-ways-reminder-for.webp) Bus lane with traffic proceeding from both ways (reminder for pedestrians) - ![Buses excluded from restriction or prohibition conveyed by associated sign — UK road sign](/signs/uk/954-buses-excluded-from-restriction-or-prohibition-conveyed-by-a.webp) Buses excluded from restriction or prohibition conveyed by associated sign - ![Contra-flow bus lane — UK road sign](/signs/uk/960-contra-flow-bus-lane.webp) Contra-flow bus lane - ![Contra-flow bus lane which pedal cycles may also use with traffic approaching from the right (reminder for pedestrians) — UK road sign](/signs/uk/963-2-contra-flow-bus-lane-which-pedal-cycles-may-also-use-with-tr.webp) Contra-flow bus lane which pedal cycles may also use with traffic approaching from the right (reminder for pedestrians) - ![Contra-flow cycle lane — UK road sign](/signs/uk/960-1-contra-flow-cycle-lane.webp) Contra-flow cycle lane - ![Cycle event ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/950-1vce-cycle-event-ahead.webp) Cycle event ahead - ![Cycle lane on road at junction ahead or cycle track crossing road — UK road sign](/signs/uk/962-1-cycle-lane-on-road-at-junction-ahead-or-cycle-track-crossing.webp) Cycle lane on road at junction ahead or cycle track crossing road - ![Cycle lane with traffic approaching from both ways (pedestrian reminder) — UK road sign](/signs/uk/963-1t-cycle-lane-with-traffic-approaching-from-both-ways-pedestria.webp) Cycle lane with traffic approaching from both ways (pedestrian reminder) - ![Cycle lane with traffic proceeding from left (pedestrian reminder) — UK road sign](/signs/uk/963-1l-cycle-lane-with-traffic-proceeding-from-left-pedestrian-remi.webp) Cycle lane with traffic proceeding from left (pedestrian reminder) - ![Cycle lane with traffic proceeding from right (pedestrian reminder) — UK road sign](/signs/uk/963-1-cycle-lane-with-traffic-proceeding-from-right-pedestrian-rem.webp) Cycle lane with traffic proceeding from right (pedestrian reminder) - ![Cycles crossing ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/950-1vcc-cycles-crossing-ahead.webp) Cycles crossing ahead - ![Cycles excluded from restriction or prohibition conveyed by associated sign — UK road sign](/signs/uk/954-4-cycles-excluded-from-restriction-or-prohibition-conveyed-by.webp) Cycles excluded from restriction or prohibition conveyed by associated sign - ![Cyclists to dismount at the end if, or at a break in, a cycle lane, track or route — UK road sign](/signs/uk/966-cyclists-to-dismount-at-the-end-if-or-at-a-break-in-a-cycle.webp) Cyclists to dismount at the end if, or at a break in, a cycle lane, track or route - ![End of bus lane — UK road sign](/signs/uk/964-end-of-bus-lane.webp) End of bus lane - ![End of cycle lane, track or route — UK road sign](/signs/uk/965-end-of-cycle-lane-track-or-route.webp) End of cycle lane, track or route - ![Entrance to bus station, depot or garage — UK road sign](/signs/uk/953-3-entrance-to-bus-station-depot-or-garage.webp) Entrance to bus station, depot or garage - ![Exemptions for buses, taxis and pedal cycles from restriction or prohibition conveyed by associated sign — UK road sign](/signs/uk/954-3-exemptions-for-buses-taxis-and-pedal-cycles-from-restriction.webp) Exemptions for buses, taxis and pedal cycles from restriction or prohibition conveyed by associated sign - ![Explanatory plate for tramcar and bus and cycle only route signs — UK road sign](/signs/uk/953-2-explanatory-plate-for-tramcar-and-bus-and-cycle-only-route-s.webp) Explanatory plate for tramcar and bus and cycle only route signs - ![Local buses excluded from restriction or prohibition conveyed by associated sign — UK road sign](/signs/uk/954-2-local-buses-excluded-from-restriction-or-prohibition-conveye.webp) Local buses excluded from restriction or prohibition conveyed by associated sign - ![No through road for vehicular traffic — UK road sign](/signs/uk/816-no-through-road-for-vehicular-traffic.webp) No through road for vehicular traffic - ![Open tramway level crossing without light signals — UK road sign](/signs/uk/778-1-open-tramway-level-crossing-without-light-signals.webp) Open tramway level crossing without light signals - ![Parking place for buses — UK road sign](/signs/uk/969-parking-place-for-buses.webp) Parking place for buses - ![Parking place for pedal cycles — UK road sign](/signs/uk/968-1-parking-place-for-pedal-cycles.webp) Parking place for pedal cycles - ![Place where buses may stand and the stopping of other vehicles is prohibited during the period indicated — UK road sign](/signs/uk/975-place-where-buses-may-stand-and-the-stopping-of-other-vehicl.webp) Place where buses may stand and the stopping of other vehicles is prohibited during the period indicated - ![Route recommended for pedal cycles on the main carriageway of a road — UK road sign](/signs/uk/967-route-recommended-for-pedal-cycles-on-the-main-carriageway-o.webp) Route recommended for pedal cycles on the main carriageway of a road - ![Stopping by vehicles other than buses prohibited during the period indicated — UK road sign](/signs/uk/974-stopping-by-vehicles-other-than-buses-prohibited-during-the.webp) Stopping by vehicles other than buses prohibited during the period indicated - ![Stopping place for buses — UK road sign](/signs/uk/970-stopping-place-for-buses.webp) Stopping place for buses - ![Stopping place for buses used for carrying tourists to allow passengers to take photographs — UK road sign](/signs/uk/972-stopping-place-for-buses-used-for-carrying-tourists-to-allow.webp) Stopping place for buses used for carrying tourists to allow passengers to take photographs - ![Testing of child cyclists ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/950-1-testing-of-child-cyclists-ahead.webp) Testing of child cyclists ahead - ![Training of child cyclists ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/950-1vct-training-of-child-cyclists-ahead.webp) Training of child cyclists ahead - ![Warning for pedestrians to look out for tramway traffic approaching from both directions — UK road sign](/signs/uk/963-3-warning-for-pedestrians-to-look-out-for-tramway-traffic-appr.webp) Warning for pedestrians to look out for tramway traffic approaching from both directions - ![Warning for pedestrians to look out for tramway traffic approaching from the left — UK road sign](/signs/uk/963-3l-warning-for-pedestrians-to-look-out-for-tramway-traffic-appr.webp) Warning for pedestrians to look out for tramway traffic approaching from the left - ![Warning for pedestrians to look out for tramway traffic approaching from the right — UK road sign](/signs/uk/963-3r-warning-for-pedestrians-to-look-out-for-tramway-traffic-appr.webp) Warning for pedestrians to look out for tramway traffic approaching from the right - ![With-flow bus lane which pedal cycles and taxis may also use ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/958-with-flow-bus-lane-which-pedal-cycles-and-taxis-may-also-use.webp) With-flow bus lane which pedal cycles and taxis may also use ahead - ![With-flow cycle lane — UK road sign](/signs/uk/959-1-with-flow-cycle-lane.webp) With-flow cycle lane - ![With-flow cycle lane ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/958-1-with-flow-cycle-lane-ahead.webp) With-flow cycle lane ahead ## Ready to test yourself on road signs? The free [road signs quiz](/theory-test/road-and-traffic-signs/practice-test/) uses the same official artwork, with an explanation for every answer. Revise the rules behind them in our [Other Types of Vehicle guide](/theory-test/other-types-of-vehicle/). [Start the road signs quiz](/theory-test/road-and-traffic-signs/practice-test/) ## Frequently asked questions **### How do you recognise bus and tram signs?** Bus and tram signs show lanes, gates and routes reserved for buses, trams and sometimes cyclists or taxis. A bus lane sign gives the times it operates — outside those times other traffic may use it. Tram signs warn of trams crossing or sharing the road and of tram-only routes. **### Do bus and tram signs come up in the theory test?** Yes. Signs appear throughout the theory test, mainly in the Road & Traffic Signs topic and also in topics such as Other Types of Vehicle. Practise with our free questions until you can read each sign from its shape and colour. ## Which other road sign categories should you learn? - [Warning signs](/road-signs/warning-signs/) - [Regulatory signs](/road-signs/regulatory-signs/) - [Speed limit signs](/road-signs/speed-limit-signs/) - [Motorway signs](/road-signs/motorway-signs/) - [Parking signs](/road-signs/parking-signs/) - [Level crossing signs](/road-signs/level-crossing-signs/) - [Pedestrian and cycle signs](/road-signs/pedestrian-and-cycle-signs/) - [Road works signs](/road-signs/road-works-signs/) - [Traffic calming signs](/road-signs/traffic-calming-signs/) - [Information signs](/road-signs/information-signs/) - [Direction signs](/road-signs/direction-signs/) Traffic sign images: Crown copyright, Department for Transport. Reproduced under the Open Government Licence v3.0. [Licence](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) · [Source](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/traffic-sign-images).