Reserved lanes and freeways

Reserved lanes and freeways: how to read them

Reservation signs are blue rectangles. They reserve a lane, roadway or parking area for the vehicle type shown, and a “P” version reserves parking. The bus reservation is one example; the manual also lists reservations for taxis, bicycles, motorcycles and many other users.

A freeway sign announces special rules rather than a single instruction. From that point, keep left unless overtaking, do not stop voluntarily except in permitted areas, and do not use hand signals except in an emergency. Certain users, such as pedestrians, pedal cycles and small motorcycles, are excluded.

The manual separates reservations for a roadway or lane from reservations for parking. Parking versions carry a letter “P” and reserve an area for the vehicle type shown, for example buses, taxis, motorcycles or bicycles.

Key idea: Reserved space belongs to the vehicle shown. Freeway rules start and end with their signs.

Bus reservation — R301

This space is reserved for buses.

Recognise it. A blue rectangular sign showing a bus symbol; a “P” version marks parking.

Where you meet it. At the entrance to a lane, roadway or parking area reserved for buses.

What to do. If you are not driving a bus, do not enter or park there. An empty reserved lane is still reserved.

In practice. A queue of cars sits beside an empty bus lane. You stay in your own lane and do not use the lane to get ahead.

Easily confused. Reservation signs are blue and rectangular; the commands that name road users in circles (R110–R136) sit in blue circles.

Key idea: Keep other vehicles out of the reserved space.

Freeway begins — R401

A dual-carriageway freeway begins here.

Recognise it. A blue rectangular sign showing a road with a bridge and a lane marker, announcing that a dual-carriageway freeway begins.

Where you meet it. At the point where freeway rules start.

What to do. Follow the freeway rules from here on. Keep left except to overtake, do not stop voluntarily except in permitted areas, and do not use hand signals except in an emergency.

In practice. You join a freeway after the sign. You keep left, stay out of the emergency lane and keep a safe gap, knowing that you cannot stop for a map or a phone call.

Easily confused. A divided road is not automatically a freeway. The sign is what starts the freeway rules, and its “end” sign cancels them.

Key idea: Follow freeway restrictions. Do not stop except where legally permitted or in an emergency.

Other reservation and bus-lane signs

Bus lane signs (R302 and R303) say that no other class of vehicle may use that part of the road, and R303 marks where a reserved lane begins. Limited and unlimited parking reservations (R305-P and R306-P) say how long you may stay and whether a fee applies; if a time limit is shown, do not stay longer. Minibus and bus-stop reservations (R325 and R326) allow only the named minibus organisation to take up and drop off passengers, and wait there only if the stop is marked as a terminus.

Always read the symbol: the vehicle drawn on the sign is the only one allowed.

Key idea: The vehicle pictured on a reservation sign is the only one that belongs there.

Secondary plates and de-restriction signs

A plate beneath a regulatory sign narrows when or to whom it applies. Time plates (R502 and R503) apply the main sign only in the periods shown. Daytime and night-time plates (R511 and R512) apply the sign only in daylight or only at night. A reduced-visibility plate (R510) applies it only when visibility is poor. Pay-and-display (R523) means you must pay and display a receipt, and an operator plate (R530 or R531) applies the sign only to vehicles run by that organisation.

A de-restriction sign (R600 series) shows the sign it cancels with a red cross over it. From there you no longer have to comply with that particular restriction, but all other rules, such as lighting and speed limits, still apply.

Key idea: A plate limits the main sign. A red cross cancels only the sign it covers.

Rectangles and circles

Blue rectangles reserve space. Blue circles command action or name who may use a road. Red-bordered circles prohibit. Keeping these three shapes in mind makes unfamiliar signs easier to place.

An “end” sign cancels only the rule it matches, so freeway rules end with the matching sign, not when the road simply looks different.

Key idea: Reserved space belongs to the vehicle shown. Freeway rules start and end with their signs.

Quick recap

• Blue rectangles are reservations.
• An empty reserved lane is still reserved.
• Freeway rules start at the freeway sign.
• An end sign cancels its matching rule only.