The main rule is that buses and taxis with a roof light may use the public transport lane where this is shown on traffic signs.

These vehicles may also use public transport lanes:

  • electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles
  • motorcycles with two wheels without a sidecar
  • mopeds with two wheels
  • bicycles
  • overt emergency response vehicles
  • minibuses carrying out passenger transport that requires an operator’s licence
  • minibuses (up to 16 people) carrying at least seven passengers in addition to the driver

Motorcycles and mopeds with three or four wheels may not use the public transport lane.

If the public transport lane is on a motorway or motor vehicle road, the vehicle must have a speed capacity of at least 40 kilometres per hour to use this lane.

Public transport lane signs

The signs will tell you what vehicles may use the public transport lane. 

Bus lane

Illustration of traffic sign for public transport lane for buses
Traffic sign 508.1 Public transport lane for buses

Lanes with this sign may be used by the following vehicles:

  • buses
  • minibuses carrying out passenger transport that requires an operator’s licence
  • minibuses (up to 16 people) carrying at least seven passengers in addition to the driver
  • electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles
  • motorcycles with two wheels without a sidecar
  • mopeds with two wheels
  • bicycles
  • overt emergency response vehicles

Bus and taxi lane

Illustration of traffic sign for public transport lane for buses and taxis
Traffic sign 508.2 Public transport lane for buses and taxis

Lanes with this sign may be used by the following vehicles:

  • taxis with a roof light
  • buses
  • minibuses carrying out passenger transport that requires an operator’s licence
  • minibuses (up to 16 people) carrying at least seven passengers in addition to the driver
  • electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles
  • motorcycles with two wheels without a sidecar
  • mopeds with two wheels
  • bicycles
  • overt emergency response vehicles

High-occupancy vehicle lane

Illustration of traffic sign for high-occupancy vehicle lane
Traffic sign 509 High-occupancy vehicle lane

Lanes with this sign may be used by the following vehicles:

  • vehicles carrying at least the number of persons indicated on the sign
  • taxis with a roof light
  • buses
  • minibuses carrying out passenger transport that requires an operator’s licence
  • minibuses (up to 16 people) carrying at least seven passengers in addition to the driver
  • electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles
  • motorcycles with two wheels without a sidecar
  • mopeds with two wheels
  • bicycles
  • overt emergency response vehicles

Sign where the public transport lane /HOV lane ends

The signs below show where the public transport lanes and HOV lanes end, and road users need to move into an ordinary lane.

 End of public transport lane

Illustration of traffic sign for end of public transport lane
Traffic sign 510.1 End of public transport lane
Illustration of traffic sign end of public transport lane
Traffic sign 510.2 End of public transport lane

End of high-occupancy vehicle lane

Illustration of traffic sign for end of high-occupancy vehicle lane
Traffic sign 511 End of high-occupancy vehicle lane

An additional panel may restrict access to the public transport lane

The sign may have an additional lower panel restricting access to the public transport lane. The lower panel may specify that certain groups of vehicles cannot use the lane at all or parts of the day. For example, a lower panel with the text “Gjelder ikke elmotorvogn” ("Does not apply to electric motor vehicles") means that electric motor vehicles do not have access to this particular public transport lane.

A lower panel may also specify other conditions, for example requiring at least one passenger in the vehicle.

Motorways and motor vehicle roads 

Cyclists, mopeds and other vehicles that cannot legally drive at more than 40 kilometres per hour do not have access to motorways or motor vehicle roads. Thus, they cannot use the public transport lanes on these roads.