Who may use the public transport lane?
Some vehicles may use the lane for public transport and high-occupancy vehicles, but access may be restricted by an additional sign panel. Here is a guide.
Traffic signs
Rules for public transport lanes and high-occupancy vehicle lanes
Buses may always use the public transport lane. If the sign also says "Taxi", taxis with roof lights may also use this lane.
A high-occupancy vehicle lane may be used by vehicles carrying at least the number of people indicated on the sign. For example, "2+" means that the car must carry at least two people, driver included. In addition, the lane may be used by buses and by taxis with roof lights.
Other vehicles that can use the public transport lane / high-occupancy vehicle lane:
- electric cars and other electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles
- minibuses licensed for passenger transport
- minibuses with seats for 16 people, if they carry at least seven passengers in addition to the driver
- motorcycles with two wheels and no sidecar (not three or four wheels)
- mopeds with two wheels (not three or four wheels)
- bicycles and electric bikes
- electric scooters and other small electric motor vehicles
- overt emergency response vehicles
Exceptions on motorways and motor expressways
Cyclists, mopeds and vehicles with a speed capacity of 40 km/h or less do not have access to motorways or motor expressways. Thus, they cannot use the public transport lanes on these roads.
Additional sign panels may restrict access to the public transport lane
An additional (lower) panel may specify that certain groups of vehicles are not allowed to use the public transport lane at all or parts of the day. It may also specify other conditions, for example that you must carry at least one passenger to be allowed to use this lane.
The lower panel "Gjelder ikke elmotorvogn"
The main rule is that electric cars may use the public transport lane, but there are exceptions. If the lower panel says "Gjelder ikke motorvogn", this means that electric vehicles are not allowed to use the lane. The restriction on the lower panel does not apply to two-wheeled motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles, electric scooters and other small electric motor vehicles, or to overt emergency vehicles.
Lower panel with time-restricted access
If the lower sign panel had said "Gjelder ikke elmotorvogn man-fre", electric cars would not be allowed to use the public transport lane Mondays through Fridays - not even on holidays. They may then only use the lane on Saturdays and Sundays (from Saturday morning at 00:00 to Sunday night at 23:59)
Lane reserved for heavy vehicles - sign with additional panel
Heavy vehicle lanes are for motor vehicles with a maximum authorised mass higher than what the sign shows. In addition, overt emergency vehicles may use this lane.
For example, if the sign for the heavy vehicle lane has an additional lower panel saying “Tillatt for taxi”, this means that taxis also have access to this lane.
