Bus lane: will i get points on my licence or a fine?

Question

im not from london but ended up getting seriously lost last night around elephant and castle. I went down a bus lane by complete accident and am so upset that I did this. I would NEVER have done this if I had realised. Now Im really scared that I might get points, please can someone tell me what I can get, has any1 else been in this situation... PLEASE help me, thanks xx

Answer 1

I agree with Fiona - your sarcasam is typical of your driving attitude.

Bus Lanes are there to ease the flow of traffic for the majority of us. Your so-called "accident" of using the bus lane just demonstrates that you WERE NOT concentrating on what you were doing.

As the absolute minimum, you deserve to be fined and to have penalty points on your licence - perhaps that will remind you in the future to improve your driving - then the rest of us who have to share road-space with you will be that little bit safer.

Answer 2

If it comes to it, you could appeal on the basis that the signage was confusing and you made a genuine error - if your address is remote from the location and you can demonstrate that you are an infrequent visitor this would help.

Although the bus lane may have been clearly marked, your attention could have been drawin by any number of other signs, road markings and traffic so that you missed the relevant ones.

PS I don;t know the area that you were in, so I'm speculating based on the confusion of traffic signs elsewhere in the UK.

Answer 3

"The rules that apply to bus lanes are clear. It is illegal for motorists other than buses to drive or stop in a bus lane during its operational hours."

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/finesand...

That means it really depends on which routes and what times you were on the bus lanes. Generally, bus lanes in London are not in operation from 8pm through to 6am.

You can tell a bus lane's operation hours by the (very clear) signs just before the lane starts and every 200 meters or so.

You may actually get away with neither points nor a penalty.

Hope this is helpful.

Answer 4

BOTH

Answer 5

There is no such thing as "complete accident".

The truth is that you were not concentrating on your driving and that makes you a danger to other road users.

In "Red Ken Land" (it used to be called "London"), there are powers to confiscate cars which use bus lanes and send them to the crusher.

If it is your first driving offence, expect 3 points on your licence, a fine up to £250 or both. If you have prior convictions, you could find yourself using the bus lane again soon - this time on a bus.