Entered bus lane to turn, access premises, or follow Garda direction
You are allowed to enter a bus lane — but only for the shortest distance needed — if you were turning at a junction, entering or leaving a premises or driveway, passing a stationary obstruction, dealing with an emergency, or following a direction from a Garda. If any of these applied to you, no offence took place.
Legal basis
Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 182/1997) — permitted entry for turning/access/obstruction/emergency and compliance with Garda direction.
How to identify this in your case
Ask yourself: did you enter the bus lane only because you were turning, pulling into or out of a premises, getting past something blocking the road, responding to an emergency, or obeying a Garda's instruction? And did you use only as much of the bus lane as you absolutely had to? If yes, this ground may apply. Gather any evidence you have — photos of the junction or entrance you used, details of what was blocking the road, or the name or badge number of the Garda who directed you.
Sample appeal wording
formal
Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.
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