Teorio
Bus lane
Requirement or prohibition 1. Traffic other than buses in regular service and vehicles used for school and disabled-person transport that are required under passenger transport law to be marked with the school bus sign may not use bus lanes. 2. Ambulances, taxis, bicycles and buses operating occasional services may use the bus lane only if this is indicated by a Zusatzzeichen. 3. Taxis may stop at bus stops (sign 224) to allow passengers to board or alight immediately. 4. Electrically powered vehicles may use the bus lane only if this is indicated by a Zusatzzeichen. 5. For testing different forms of mobility (§ 45 paragraph 9 sentence 4 number 7a), the bus lane may be used only if this is indicated by a Zusatzzeichen specifying the particular form of mobility.
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When you see the Zeichen
As a general rule, do not use the designated bus lane with a passenger car. Only drive in it if a Zusatzzeichen expressly permits your type of vehicle, and then pay particular attention to regular-service buses and boarding and alighting passengers.
Rules
- Without a Zusatzzeichen, only regular-service buses and appropriately marked vehicles used for student and disabled transport may generally use the bus lane.
- Taxis, bicycles, patient transport vehicles and occasional-service buses may use the lane only if this is permitted by a Zusatzzeichen.
- Electric vehicles may not use the bus lane solely because of their type of propulsion; an appropriate Zusatzzeichen is required for this.
- Taxis may stop at bus stops marked with Zeichen 224 to allow passengers to board or alight immediately. However, this does not constitute general permission to drive along the entire bus lane.
Tips
- Immediately check whether a Zusatzzeichen is displayed below Zeichen 245 and whether it actually applies to your type of vehicle.
- Do not move into the bus lane too early to turn; cross it only where necessary and for as short a distance as possible if your route requires it.
- When crossing, pay particular attention to buses, bicycles and taxis that are permitted to use the lane and may be approaching from behind.
- Do not rely solely on a road marking such as “BUS”; observe the traffic sign and its Zusatzzeichen.
Common misunderstandings
- Learner drivers assume that the bus lane is a normal right-hand lane as soon as no bus is currently using it.
- An electric car is mistakenly always considered entitled to use it; without a suitable Zusatzzeichen, it may not use the lane.
- Permission for bicycles or taxis is incorrectly assumed to apply to passenger cars as well, even though each Zusatzzeichen permits only the types of traffic shown.
Exam tip
In theory-test questions, a Zusatzzeichen is often the crucial trap: Zeichen 245 alone permits neither bicycles, taxis nor electric vehicles to use the lane. Check exactly which type of traffic the Zusatzzeichen actually permits.
Did you know
In Germany, bus lanes are often located at the right edge of the carriageway, but they may also be positioned differently or even run against the general direction of traffic. Zeichen 245, Zusatzzeichen and road markings are therefore always decisive.
Frequently asked questions
May I briefly drive on a bus lane with a normal passenger car in order to turn right?
You may not use it as a turning or acceleration lane. If you have to cross it to turn, do so only at the designated point, for as short a distance as possible and without endangering permitted traffic.
May I ride a bicycle on a bus lane?
Only if a Zusatzzeichen expressly permits bicycle traffic. Without this permission, the bus lane is also prohibited for bicycles.
May a taxi always use the bus lane?
No. A Zusatzzeichen must permit its regular use. However, at a bus stop marked with Zeichen 224, a taxi may stop to allow passengers to board or alight immediately.
May coaches use the bus lane?
Occasional-service buses, including many coaches, may use it only if a Zusatzzeichen provides the corresponding permission. Zeichen 245 alone generally entitles only regular-service buses and the required marked vehicles used for student and disabled transport to use it.
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