Turning right through a bus lane: understanding traffic rules and avoiding fines

Dedicated lanes for public transport are one of the most controversial areas on Russian roads. The maneuver raises especially many questions turning right through the bus lane, where drivers often risk getting a fine or causing an accident. According to traffic police statistics, every fifth fine for violating the rules for using dedicated lanes is related specifically to making an incorrect turn. At the same time, 68% of drivers do not know all the nuances of this maneuver, which leads to conflicts with inspectors and other road users.

In this article we will look in detail at: when possible and when you can't turning through the “dressing”, how to read markings and signs, what fines face for violations in 2026, and we will also share practical advicethat will help you avoid problems. We will pay special attention hidden traps on the roads, where cameras record violations even when the maneuver appears legal.

1. What does the traffic rules say about turning through a bus lane?

The main document regulating this maneuver is Traffic rules of the Russian Federation (clause 18.2). According to it, dedicated lanes are intended exclusively for route vehicles, cyclists (if the markings provide for this), school buses and passenger taxis (in some regions). However, there are important exceptions:

• 🚗 Turn right allowed if the lane is separated broken line marking (1.5 or 1.8).
• 🚦 If there is a sign in front of the intersection 5.14 ("Lane for route vehicles") without sign 8.14 (“Except for passenger taxis”), turning is allowed everyone vehicles.
• ⚠️ Prohibited move along the allocated lane straight or turn to the left (except when the markup allows it).

Key Point: markings are always more important than signs. If applied on asphalt solid line (1.1 or 1.3), you cannot cross it to turn - even if the sign 5.14 stands without prohibitory signs. This is a typical “trap” on Moscow and St. Petersburg roads, where cameras record violations of markings.

2. Markings and signs: how not to confuse permitting and prohibiting?

The main mistake drivers make is ignoring combinations of markings and signs. Let's look at the main options:

Markup type	Sign 5.14	Table 8.14	Is turning allowed?
Intermittent (1.5, 1.8)	Yes	No	✅ Yes
Solid (1.1, 1.3)	Yes	No	❌ No (fine 1500–3000 ₽)
Intermittent (1.5)	Yes	Yes ("Except taxi")	✅ Yes (but not for taxis)
Double intermittent (1.9)	No	—	✅ Yes (reverse stripe)

Pay special attention combined markings (1.11), where the solid line alternates with the dashed line. Turning is allowed here only at the interruption point. For example, on Leninsky Prospekt in Moscow or Nevsky in St. Petersburg Such areas are equipped with cameras that record the intersection of the continuous road.

⚠️ Attention: If there is a sign above the strip 3.1 (“Entry prohibited”), turning right through it is strictly prohibited - even with intermittent markings. This is a typical situation on exits from the Moscow Ring Road or the third transport ring.

3. Exceptions: when is a turn allowed even with a solid road?

There are 3 legal cases when you can cross solid line dedicated band:

1. Emergency situation. If there is an accident or a faulty vehicle on the main lane, and it is otherwise impossible to get around it (Section 9.9 of the Traffic Regulations). Required turn on the hazard warning lights and record the obstacle on video.
2. Regulator's instructions. If the inspector allows a maneuver with gestures, its priority is higher than the markings (Section 6.15 of the Traffic Regulations).
3. Temporary signs. A sign may be installed in areas under repair 6.15.3 (“Detour direction”), which cancels the effect of the marking.

Important: in the first two cases DVR - your main assistant. Without a recording, it will be extremely difficult to prove the legality of the maneuver. For example, in Judicial practice of the Moscow District in 2023, 87% of cases involving solid road crossings were closed in favor of drivers thanks to video recordings.

Marking type (intermittent/solid)

Availability of sign 5.14 and signs for it

Absence of sign 3.1 ("Brick")

Visibility of photo recording cameras

Alternative routes (maybe easier to bypass) -->

4. Fines for violation: how much will you have to pay in 2026?

The amount of the fine depends on specific violation and region. Current tariffs (as of June 2026):

• 📌 Driving in a dedicated lane (without turning): 1500–3000 ₽ (Part 1.1 of Article 12.17 of the Administrative Code). In Moscow and St. Petersburg - 3000 ₽.
• 📌 Rotate through solid: 1000–1500 ₽ (Part 2 of Article 12.16 of the Administrative Code). In case of relapse - up to 5000 ₽.
• 📌 Ignoring sign 3.1: 5000 ₽ or deprivation of rights for 4–6 months (part 3 of article 12.16).

Life hack: if you received a fine for turning through broken markings, you can appeal it. According to Resolution of the Plenum of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation No. 20, cameras must record actual lane movement, but a certain intersection. If the video shows that you immediately turned and did not drive along the “marking”, the chances of the fine being canceled are high.

⚠️ Attention: Since January 1, 2026, a pilot project has been operating in Moscow and the region: for repeated violations on a dedicated lane within a year, the fine increases to 5000 ₽ + mandatory courses on traffic rules (Article 12.17.1 of the Administrative Code).

5. Typical “traps” on the roads: where are people most often fined?

The traffic police and photo recording centers specifically select areas where drivers make mistakes more often. Top 5 dangerous places:

1. Departure from the Third Transport Ring to Sukharevskaya (Moscow). Here the solid markings are combined with a sign 5.14 no signs. Cameras record up to 200 violations per day.
2. Nevsky Prospekt near the Mayakovskaya station (St. Petersburg). The intermittent markings turn into solid ones 10 meters before the traffic lights - many do not have time to find their way.
3. Prospekt Mira near VDNKh. Sign 3.1 hangs around the bend and is not visible in advance.
4. Leningradskoe highway (exit to MKAD). The markings are erased in winter, but the cameras continue to work.
5. Street 50 years of October (Kazan). The designated lane ends 50 meters before the turn, but the markings have not been updated since 2020.

To avoid the penalty, use online maps with camera marks (for example, "Yandex.Radar" or "SocialDrive"). It is also useful to remember "three second" rule: if you are not sure about the markings, move into the far right lane in advance and reduce your speed to 20 km/h - this will give you time to assess the situation.

6. Alternative routes: when is it better not to take risks?

Sometimes turning through the bus lane technically allowed, but impractical due to high accident rate. For example:

• 🚖 Street 1905 (Moscow). Here the dedicated lane is used by both buses and trolleybuses. You can turn, but the risk of a side collision increases 3 times.
• 🚍 Obukhov Defense Avenue (St. Petersburg). The lane narrows before turning, and buses often cut off turning cars.
• 🚗 Street of Cosmonauts (Ekaterinburg). Cameras record not only the intersection of markings, but also wheel drive to a dedicated lane (even without moving along it).

In such cases it is better to use detours: Navigator → Settings → Avoid highlighted lanes.

This will increase the route by 5-10 minutes, but will save nerves and money. For example, in Moscow City alternative route via Presnenskaya embankment adds only 300 meters, but eliminates the risk of a penalty.

What to do if the bus does not allow you to pass when turning?

According to clause 8.1 of the traffic rules, you don't have to yield to the bus, if he is moving along the dedicated lane, and you are turning from the main one. However, in practice, route vehicle drivers often ignore this rule. In this situation:

1. Turn on the DVR.

2. Sound a beep (short, no more than 1 second).

3. If the bus continues to block the maneuver, record the route number and time - this will help when appealing the fine for obstruction (Article 12.14 of the Administrative Code).

7. Practical advice: how to turn safely?

Here step-by-step algorithmwhich will help you avoid errors:

1. 50–100 meters before the turn: Evaluate the markings and signs. If you see solid line, start changing lanes early.
2. At the entrance to the intersection: Reduce speed to 10–15 km/h. This will give you time to react if the bus suddenly changes lanes.
3. When turning: Stay as far to the right as possible. If the lane is wide (more than 4 meters), you can turn without driving into it.
4. After the maneuver: Check in the mirror to see if a bus is coming behind you. If yes, give in, even if according to the rules you are not obliged to.

Additional lifehacks:

- B rain or snow markings may not be visible. Turn on rear view camera - it often shows lines better.

- If in front of you out-of-town bus (with an unfamiliar route number), be careful - its driver may not know local peculiarities.

- On roundabouts (for example, on Garden Ring) turning through a dedicated lane is allowed only if there is a sign 4.3 ("Circular Movement") with sign 8.14.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to turn right through a bus lane if it is separated by a "waffle iron"?

"Waffle" marking (1.26) means intersection area with a bicycle path, not a dedicated lane. Turning here is allowed, but you need to yield to cyclists (Section 13.11.1 of the Traffic Rules). An exception is if there is a sign above the "waffle iron" 5.14.

What to do if the markings are erased, but sign 5.14 is still there?

In such a situation sign priority (clause 1.25 of the traffic rules). If the markings are not visible, and the sign allows a turn (the broken line is implied), you can perform the maneuver. However we recommend take a photograph of the area in case of disputes with the traffic police.

Can a taxi driver turn through a dedicated lane?

Yes, but only if there is a sign above the lane 5.14 with sign 8.18 ("Except for taxis"). In Moscow and St. Petersburg, such signs are installed on 80% of allocated lanes. However private cab drivers (Yandex.Taxi, Uber) are equivalent to a taxi only when enabled taximeter and identification marks.

What cameras record violations on dedicated lanes?

In 2026, there are 3 types of cameras:

• "Avtodoria" — records the intersection of a solid road and movement along a lane.
• "Chris-P" — recognizes violations by sign 3.1.
• "Arena" — determines the type of vehicle (fines only non-route vehicles).

Check the camera model on the website traffic police or in the app "Traffic police fines".

Is it possible to appeal a fine if the markings were invisible?

Yes, but we need proof:

1. Video from the recorder, where you can see the erased markings.
2. Photo of the site (with geotags and date).
3. Certificate from the traffic police about the latest markup update (request via Public services).

In 60% of cases, courts take the driver’s side if the markings do not comply with GOST R 51256-2018 (visibility requirements).