Yes, in many places you are allowed to briefly use a bus lane to overtake a vehicle that is signalling to turn right, but only if local rules permit it and it is safe to do so. The exact answer depends on the country or city you are driving in, so checking your local highway code is essential.

Key idea

When a car in front of you is indicating and waiting to turn right, traffic behind it would otherwise be blocked, so some road rules specifically allow other vehicles to pass on the left using a lane that is normally reserved (like a bus lane), provided this does not interfere with buses or other authorised vehicles using that lane.

When it is usually allowed

In jurisdictions where this manoeuvre is permitted, it typically comes with conditions:

  • The bus lane is active but may be used briefly to pass a right‑turning vehicle that has slowed or stopped, to keep traffic flowing.
  • You must give way to any bus or vehicle already in the bus lane before moving into it.
  • You should return to your normal lane as soon as you have safely overtaken and not continue in the bus lane longer than necessary (often a short distance only).

When it may NOT be allowed

In other cities or countries, any use of a bus lane by unauthorised vehicles during its operating hours is illegal, even for overtaking.

Common restrictions include:

  • No driving in the bus lane at all during its signed hours, except where signs specifically permit turning or other limited manoeuvres.
  • Fines or penalties for “misuse of a bus lane”, which can increase if you obstruct buses or cause danger.

How to check for your area

To know the correct rule where you live:

  1. Look up your official highway code or driver’s handbook and search for “bus lane” and “overtake right‑turning vehicle”.
  1. Check local government or transport authority guidance for diagrams or examples involving bus lanes and right‑turning traffic.
  1. Pay attention to signs at the roadside: some bus lanes are only active at certain times, and outside those hours any vehicle may use the lane normally.

Safety tips

Even where it is legal, only use the bus lane to overtake a right‑turning vehicle if:

  • You have clear visibility and no pedestrians, cyclists, or buses are in your path.
  • Road markings do not prohibit crossing into that lane at that point (e.g., solid lines may mean you must not cross).
  • You can complete the manoeuvre smoothly without harsh braking or swerving.

Bottom line: Often the answer is “yes, but only briefly and with strict conditions,” and in some places the answer is a firm “no,” so always follow the specific rules and signs in your region.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.