About this bus lane
Operates from 7am to 7pm every day, including weekends, and is open to buses, taxis and pedal cycles only. Outside those hours any vehicle may use it.
Confirmed by Luton Borough Council FOI LU30414 (response 13 August 2026), which lists this among the council's six camera-enforced bus lanes with its hours and permitted vehicles, all enforced since 28 February 2011. Dunstable Road is one of the two busiest bus lane cameras in Luton, issuing hundreds of penalties a month.
The council named the street but did not publish where the lane starts and ends, so check the roadside signage for the exact extent.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Taxis
- Pedal cycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Motorcycles
Where exactly is it?
Dunstable Road, Luton. View on Google Maps →
Got a PCN from this camera?
Don't panic, and don't ignore it. Pay £35 within 14 days to halve the charge — or if the signage was unclear, the details are wrong, or you had a genuine reason to be in the lane, consider challenging it first. Our step-by-step appeal guide covers the grounds that actually win.
Frequently asked questions
What are the operating times of the Dunstable Road bus lane?
The Dunstable Road Bus Lane in Luton operates Monday to Sunday, 7am to 7pm. Outside these hours, general traffic may use the road normally.
How much is the fine for driving through the Dunstable Road bus lane?
Luton Borough Council issues a Penalty Charge Notice of £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. There are no penalty points — it is a civil penalty.
Who is allowed to use the Dunstable Road bus lane?
Buses, taxis and pedal cycles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries and motorcycles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Dunstable Road bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Luton Borough Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Luton Borough Council rejects them it must issue a Notice of Rejection, and you can then appeal free to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Its adjudicators are lawyers independent of the enforcing authority, and their decision is binding on both sides. The grounds that win here are that your vehicle was not in the bus lane during its operating times (Mon–Sun 7am–7pm), that it was an exempt vehicle, or that the signage did not make the restriction clear. Note that paying the £35 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.