Coach permits for Oxford
Why a coach permit is required and how to get one.
On this page
The prohibited area
All buses and coaches are banned from several streets in the city centre. The roads in question are referred to below as 'the prohibited area'.
If you are entering the city from the west, please note that there is a 4.11m (13'6") height restriction at the Botley Road railway bridge.
Access to the prohibited area
During the restricted hours, access to the prohibited area by buses and coaches is by permit only. Permits are only issued where considerable difficulty or hardship would otherwise result.
Vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes
If your vehicle's unladen weight is more than 7.5 tonnes, you are not allowed to use the following streets at any time (unless your destination is in these streets).
- Longwall Street
- St Cross Road
- South Parks Road
- Museum Road
- Blackhall Road
- Parks Road between its junction with Keble Road and South Parks Road
The following streets fall within this area and require a coach permit for access.
| Street | Applicable restriction |
|---|---|
| High Street | 7.30am - 6.30pm |
| Queens Lane | |
| St Aldates | 7.30am - 6.30pm every day - to exit via High Street |
| Longwall Street | Weight restriction 7.5 ton - access only |
| Broad Street | To connect to Longwall Street |
| Holywell Street | |
| Jowett Walk | |
| Catte Street | |
| New Road | |
| Magdalen Street East and West | 24 hours a day: only buses, taxis and private hire vehicles permitted |
| St Ebbes | |
| Beaumont Street | Designated coach stop - authorised stopping places for the purpose of picking up and setting down passengers only. A permit is not required for this street but it can be used for dropping off and picking up only. |
| Parks Road | |
| Manor Road | |
| Cross Road | |
| Museum Road | |
| Turl Street | |
| Mansfield Road | |
| South Parks Road | |
| Castle Street | 24 hours a day: only buses, taxis and private hire vehicles permitted |
| George Street | To drop disabled passengers only |
| Pembrook Street | |
| Norfolk Street |
Apply for a coach permit
Read the terms and conditions before you apply.
What you will need
You will need to provide the following information on your application.
- Date of visit
- Times of drop-offs/picks ups
- Locations of drop-offs/picks ups
- Coach registration
If you need more information contact us.
What happens next
If your application is successful, your permit will be sent to you via email.
Coach permit terms and conditions
Drivers must follow these instructions to access the prohibited area with a permit.
- The permit is used on the day and date shown.
- The picking up and setting down of passengers is carried out only where shown on the permit and any supplementary instructions are complied with. This does not include parking or undue waiting.
- The permit is used solely for the purpose for which the application to Oxfordshire County Council was made.
- The permit is displayed clearly on the front nearside windscreen of the vehicle at all times during which it is within the prohibited area.
- Access through the bus gates is only permitted if essential for the location noted on the permit.
The permit does not grant any holder the right to contravene any other traffic regulation orders.
Picking up and setting down
The authorised stopping places for picking up and setting down passengers are:
- St Aldates South (northbound) – just south of the Combined Court
- Beaumont Street (westbound) – just outside the Playhouse
- St Giles’ (northbound) – in the layby by the Taylorian
The police and civil enforcement officers are under instructions to move on any coach not actually in the process of picking up or setting down passengers.
It is the coach operator's responsibility to make sure that all members of the group are present at the agreed time. A coach will not be allowed to wait for any latecomers.
Please take steps to make sure that once passengers have exited the coach, they do not obstruct the pavement.
Coach parking
There is long-term coach and lorry parking available at:
Access and directions into the city centre
To reach the north of the city centre (eg to visit the Sheldonian Theatre)
From the east: Coaches approaching from the east (A40 or B480) should proceed along the ring road (A40) to the north of Oxford, and then turn left at the Banbury Road roundabout onto the A4165. On arrival in the centre, they should drop their passengers in Beaumont Street and then proceed to the Redbridge Park and Ride.
From the south: Coaches approaching from the south (A34 or A423) should enter the city on the A4144 (Abingdon Road). On arrival in the centre they should either (i) proceed via Thames Street, Oxpens Road, Hollybush Row, Hythe Bridge Street, Worcester Street, Beaumont Street and drop passengers, then proceed to the Redbridge Park and Ride.
From the west: Coaches approaching from the west (A420 or B4044) should enter the city on the A420 (Botley Road). On arrival in the centre they should proceed via Hythe Bridge Street, Worcester Street, Beaumont Street and drop their passengers and then proceed to the Redbridge Park and Ride.
From the north: Coaches approaching from the north (A44, A423, A34 or A40) should enter the city on the A4165 (Banbury Road). On arrival in the centre, they should drop their passengers in Beaumont Street and then proceed to the Redbridge Park and Ride.
To reach the south of the city centre (eg to visit Christ Church)
From the east: Coaches approaching from the east (A40 or B480) should turn left and proceed along the ring road (A4142) to the south of Oxford and enter Oxford on the A4144 (Abingdon Road). On arrival in the centre, they should proceed directly to Redbridge Park and Ride.
From the south: Coaches approaching from the south (A34 or A423) should enter the city on the A4144 (Abingdon Road). On arrival in the centre, they should proceed directly to the Redbridge Park and Ride and set their passengers down there. Beaumont Street may be used for a central drop off place but parking is not permitted there.
From the west: Coaches approaching from the west (A420 or B4044) should enter the city on the A420 (Botley Road). On arrival in the city centre, they should proceed via Hollybush Row and Oxpens Road and proceed to the Redbridge Park and Ride and set their passengers down there. For city centre drop-offs please use Beaumont Street.
From the north: Coaches approaching from the North (A44, A423, A34 or A40) should enter the city on the A4165 (Banbury Road), or the A4144 (Woodstock Road). On arrival in the centre, they should proceed to drop their passengers in Beaumont Street where you may set down passengers and then proceed to Redbridge Park and Ride via Worcester Street, Hythe Bridge Street, Hollybush Row, Oxpens Road.