About this bus gate
Britain's busiest shopping street has been closed to general traffic in the daytime for decades — one of the most PCN-prone restrictions for out-of-town drivers in the UK.
Only buses, licensed taxis (black cabs) and cycles may use Oxford Street between Orchard Street and Regent Street, 7am–7pm Monday to Saturday. Private hire vehicles are not exempt.
Enforcement transferred from Westminster City Council to Transport for London on 20 September 2025 as part of the Oxford Street pedestrianisation programme — further restrictions are planned, so check signage.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Black cabs (hackney carriages)
- Pedal cycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Private hire vehicles
- Motorcycles
Where exactly is it?
Oxford Street between Orchard Street and Regent Street, London W1. View on Google Maps →
Got a PCN from this camera?
Don't panic, and don't ignore it. Pay £80 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 Oxford Street bus gate?
The Oxford Street Restriction (buses and taxis only) in Westminster operates 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday. Outside these hours, general traffic may use the road normally.
How much is the fine for driving through the Oxford Street bus gate?
Transport for London issues a Penalty Charge Notice of £160, reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days. There are no penalty points — it is a civil penalty.
Who is allowed to use the Oxford Street bus gate?
Buses, black cabs (hackney carriages) and pedal cycles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, private hire vehicles and motorcycles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Oxford Street bus gate?
Yes, and it costs nothing. This bus gate is on a TfL red route, so representations go to Transport for London, which handles the challenge from start to finish. If Transport for London rejects them it must issue a Notice of Rejection, and you can then appeal free to the Environment and Traffic Adjudicators at London Tribunals. 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 gate during its operating times (7am–7pm Mon–Sat), that it was an exempt vehicle, or that the approach signage did not give enough warning before the point of no return. It is worth doing: Transport for London accepted 67% of the 11,802 formal challenges it received in 2025/26, and of the 402 that went on to the tribunal, 19 succeeded (figures from its own FOI response). Note that paying the £80 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.