Reservation signs

Reservation signs: how to read them

This chapter teaches 5 signs from the official manual: Bus lane reservation, Pedal cycle lane reservation, Motorcycle reservation, Minibus stop reservation (organisation named), Minibus stop reservation.

Read the wording and symbol on each sign carefully. They tell you who the sign applies to, where it applies and what you must do, and two signs that look alike can apply to different road users.

Key idea: Check who a sign applies to before deciding what it means for you.

Bus lane reservation — R302

How to read it. This is a bus reservation sign. The R302 and TR302 versions show that no other class of vehicle may use that part of the road, and R303 and TR303 show where a bus-only lane starts.

Where you meet it. On any road, particularly in urban areas.

What to do. If you are not driving a bus, do not follow this bus route or enter the reserved lane. The lane is for buses only. The sign applies to every other class of vehicle.

In practice. In town you see this sign above a lane at the point where a bus lane starts. You drive a car, so you stay out of that lane and keep to the ordinary traffic lanes.

Key idea: Not a bus? Keep out of the bus route.

Pedal cycle lane reservation — R304

How to read it. This sign reserves an area for bicycles. The official text says a parking area is reserved for bicycles only.

Where you meet it. At the entrance to a demarcated area, or inside one.

What to do. If you are not riding a bicycle, do not enter or use this area. The area is reserved for bicycles only. It applies to every other kind of vehicle.

In practice. You drive to a demarcated area and see this sign at the entrance. You are in a car, so you do not enter or park there and look for a different parking area.

Key idea: Bicycles only: all other vehicles stay out.

Motorcycle reservation — R307

How to read it. This is a motorcycle reservation sign. The R307 and TR307 versions reserve a portion of a road, and the R307-P and TR307-P versions reserve a parking area, for motorcycles only. The official manual lists similar signs that reserve areas for other vehicles shown on the sign.

Where you meet it. On any road or at the entrance to a parking area.

What to do. If you are not riding a motorcycle, do not use this road or this parking area. The reserved space is for motorcycles only. It applies to every other kind of vehicle.

In practice. You find a parking area whose entrance has this sign. You are in a car, so you do not enter or park there and choose a different parking area.

Key idea: Motorcycles only: everyone else keep out.

Minibus stop reservation (organisation named) — R325

How to read it. This sign reserves a stop for minibuses of the organisation indicated on the sign. The official heading for this entry is garbled, but the text describes minibus stops.

Where you meet it. On any public road.

What to do. If you are not driving a minibus of the organisation indicated on the sign, do not stop here to take up or drop off passengers. The stop lets minibuses load and offload passengers. A minibus may wait or park here only if the sign shows the stop is a terminus.

In practice. You drive a private car and want to drop a friend at a place with this sign. You do not stop here because the stop is for minibuses of the organisation named on the sign.

Key idea: Not that minibus? Do not stop here.

Minibus stop reservation — R326

How to read it. This sign reserves a stop for minibuses so they can take up and drop off passengers. The vehicle must show an emblem, logo or other indication that it is a minibus.

Where you meet it. On any public road.

What to do. If you are not driving a minibus of the organisation indicated on the sign, do not stop here to take up or drop off passengers. You may wait or park your minibus here only if the sign shows that the stop is a terminus.

In practice. You drive a car and want to pick up a passenger at a spot with this sign. You do not stop there, because it is for minibuses of the organisation indicated.

Key idea: Minibus stop: others do not load or offload.

Quick recap

• Bus lane reservation (R302): Not a bus? Keep out of the bus route.
• Pedal cycle lane reservation (R304): Bicycles only: all other vehicles stay out.
• Motorcycle reservation (R307): Motorcycles only: everyone else keep out.
• Minibus stop reservation (organisation named) (R325): Not that minibus? Do not stop here.
• Minibus stop reservation (R326): Minibus stop: others do not load or offload.