My driving test is in exactly a week, and I’m convinced the roads are against me. Stop signs and speed cameras, every way I turn, something is trying to catch me out. But I’m not the only one… MoneySuperMarket’s car insurance experts revealed a huge volume of drivers have been recently stung for bus lane offences.
Based on Freedom of Information requests submitted to 77 councils and transport authorities across England, Scotland and Wales, MoneySuperMarket showed that more than £37.7 million in bus lane fines were handed out across Great Britain in the first half of 2026 alone.
How well do Brummies deal with bus lanes?
Navigating Birmingham can be tough for any level of driver—with Brum holding the sixth-highest total PCNs issued for bus lane infringements between Jan and June 2026. 51,687 fines were issued to Birmingham drivers, while BCC collected the third-highest revenue from fines (over £2.1 million).
On average, councils and transport authorities across Great Britain took in over £200,000 a day from bus lane and gate PCNs, with Manchester and London collecting the highest revenues. London, Manchester, Sheffield, Bristol and Leeds all collected more PCNs than Birmingham in the first six months of 2026.
What are bus lanes and bus gates?
Bus lanes are road lanes reserved for buses, and often taxis, cyclists and motorbikes. Bus gates, meanwhile, block a short stretch of road to all traffic except buses, rather than restricting one lane. Both are enforced by CCTV or ANPR cameras. More than 1.17 million PCN fines for driving in bus lanes and gates were issued in the first six months of 2026—equivalent to one fine every 13 seconds.
Total PCNs (Jan – June 2026):
- Transport for London (90,511)
- Manchester (77,878)
- Sheffield (59,011)
- Bristol (56,882)
- Leeds (53,009)
- Birmingham (51,687)
- Southampton (42,216)
- Reading (36,583)
