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School Bus

REQUIRED STOPPING FOR SCHOOL BUSES


Scenario 1: You are traveling on a two- or three-lane road

  • Approaching the bus from the rear: 
    • When you see flashing red or amber warning lights, you are not permitted to pass the school bus and should be prepared to stop. 
    • When the school bus stops and the stop arm is extended, stop behind the school bus. 
    • Stop no closer than 15 feet from the rear of the bus, and remain stopped until the stop arm is retracted and the school bus starts moving again. Then proceed with caution.
  • Meeting the bus from the front: 
    • When you see amber warning lights flashing you must slow your vehicle to no more than 20 mph and be prepared to stop. 
    • When the school bus stops and its stop arm is extended, stop in front of the school bus . Remain stopped until the stop arm is retracted. Then proceed with caution.
Violating this law may result in your license being suspended for up to 180 days.

Two-lane highway


Three-lane highway

Two-lane highway with center turn lane


Scenario 2: You are traveling on a road with two or more lanes in each direction

  • Approaching the bus from the rear: The rules are the same as for the two- or three-lane road. 
    • When you see flashing red or amber warning lights, you are not permitted to pass the school bus and should be prepared to stop. 
    • When the school bus stops and its stop arm is extended, stop behind the school bus . 
    • Stop no closer than 15 feet from the rear of the bus, and remain stopped until the stop arm is retracted and school bus starts moving again. Then proceed with caution.
  • Meeting the bus from the front: 
    • When meeting the bus in one of the opposite two lanes (or more), you do not need to stop, even if the bus has stopped with lights flashing and stop arm out. 
    • The bus is not permitted to load or unload children who must cross this type of roadway, unless there are official traffic control devices or law enforcement present. 
    • This is the only time you may pass a school bus that is stopped and has its stop arm extended.
Violating this law may result in your license being suspended for up to 180 days.

Four-lane highway

Four-lane highway with center turn lane

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