Q As a coach, driver I am not sure about road
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signs which state that turns are prohibited except for buses. Does the facility to turn either right or left according to the sign extend to coaches ? A Allowing buses to turn at intersections where turning is normally prohibited to other traffic is usually to allow the local stage carriage services to conform with an agreed route. Whether the definition of a bus extends to cover coaches Working on contract services, excursions, express services or private hire—as well as stage carriage services—can vary from sign to sign according to the wording of the order allowing the local authority to erect the sign. These orders often restrict vehicles allowed to make such turns to stage carriage vehicles, express services and regular contract hire workings, thus excluding private hire coaches. To the police and others enforcing the facility it is often difficult, however, to determine whether a road passenger vehicle is a stage carriage or ncrt.
Therefore, though a coach should not take advantage of the exception where a road sign gives a bus permission to turn while denying the same permission to other traffic, it is doubtful whether a coach driver would be stopped and penalised for so doing.