About this bus lane
One of the UK's most notorious bus lanes — over 91,000 drivers were fined in its first 16 months (2016–17). Enforcement was suspended over signage complaints, then reinstated in November 2021.
Unusually, motorcycles and private hire taxis ARE allowed here. The camera operates 24 hours.
There are two cameras here, one northbound and one southbound, both live since 23 February 2016 and both operating all day, every day. Between them they issued 5,958 penalties in 2025/26.
Transcribed from Newcastle City Council’s response to Freedom of Information request 26698, dated 13 August 2026.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Black cabs (hackney carriages)
- Private hire vehicles
- Motorcycles
- Emergency vehicles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
Where exactly is it?
John Dobson Street, between St Mary's Place and Ridley Place, Newcastle city centre. View on Google Maps →
Got a PCN from this camera?
Don't panic, and don't ignore it. Pay £35 within 21 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 John Dobson Street bus lane?
The John Dobson Street Bus Lane in Newcastle upon Tyne operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through the John Dobson Street bus lane?
Newcastle City Council issues a Penalty Charge Notice of £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days. There are no penalty points — it is a civil penalty.
Who is allowed to use the John Dobson Street bus lane?
Buses, black cabs (hackney carriages), private hire vehicles, motorcycles and emergency vehicles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans and lorries.
Can I appeal a PCN from the John Dobson Street bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Newcastle City Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Newcastle City 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. This bus lane operates 24 hours, so "I was outside the operating times" is not open to you — the grounds that win here are that your vehicle was exempt, that the details on the PCN are wrong, or that the signage did not make the restriction clear. It is worth doing: Newcastle City Council accepted 41% of the 5,232 formal challenges it received in 2025/26, and of the 24 that went on to the tribunal, 1 succeeded (figures from its own FOI response). Note that paying the £35 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.