Northampton Driving Test Route - Ring Road West - Sign Following 

Great question. The highway code states: "Unless otherwise indicated, you should not drive in a bus lane during its period of operation. You may enter a bus lane to stop, to load or unload where this is not prohibited." So no mention of using it to turn left. It also states: (When turning), "give way to any vehicles using a bus lane, cycle lane, cycle track or tramway from either direction, including when they are passing slow moving or stationary vehicles on either side." Which suggests using the right-hand lane to turn left, which is what I would do, if safe, after checking mirrors more than once. If not safe, like you say, you can just continue ahead without fault. Extremely unlikely they would ask you to turn left there during the times of operation I would think.

What are the operation times for this bus lane specifically? My test is at 9am on Wednesday.

For this one it's 7:30-9:30am. During those times you cannot drive in it. Because the 9:30am is around the time of your test it's unlikely they'll take you there around that time, but if they do, you can ask for the time at that moment and they'll tell you.

Okay thanks you !