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California driving lesson · Special Zones, Laws & Enforcement

School zones & school buses

A 3-minute lesson from the California course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Special Zones, Laws & Enforcement
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
56, 57

Near schools, children can dart into the street and crossing guards control traffic. The school zone speed limit and the school bus stopping law are among the most tested rules.

25 mph

Speed limit within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing

Handbook p. 56 ↗
15 mph

Some school zones may have speed limits as low as this

Handbook p. 56 ↗

Near schools, look for:

  • Bicyclists and pedestrians
  • School safety patrols or crossing guards; obey their directions at all times
  • Stopped school buses and children crossing the street
Handbook p. 56 ↗
School zone
5-sided school sign

Know the rule

Some school buses flash yellow lights when preparing to stop to let children off. The yellow lights warn you to slow down and prepare to stop.

Handbook p. 56 ↗

Know the rule

All vehicles must stop for school buses flashing red lights (at the top, front, and back of the bus). Stop from either direction until the children are safely across and the lights stop flashing.

Handbook p. 57 ↗
$1,000 / 1 yr

Failing to stop for a school bus: fine up to $1,000 and possible one-year suspension

Handbook p. 57 ↗

Know the rule

If the school bus is on the other side of a divided or multilane highway (two or more lanes in each direction), you do not need to stop.

Handbook p. 57 ↗
School bus stop law diagram
All vehicles must stop for a school bus flashing red lights

School bus lights

School bus lights
Bus showsYou must
Flashing yellowSlow down and prepare to stop
Flashing redStop, either direction, until lights stop
Flashing red, opposite side of 2+ lanes each wayNo need to stop
Handbook p. 57 ↗

Put it into practice

You're on a two-lane road (one lane each way) when an oncoming school bus stops and flashes red lights. You must stop even though it's on the other side, and stay stopped until the lights stop flashing.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What is the speed limit within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing?
  1. 15 mph
  2. 35 mph
  3. 25 mph
  4. 20 mph

Answer: 25 mph

The speed limit is 25 mph within 500 feet of a school while children are present.

Handbook p. 56 ↗
Some school zones have an even lower posted speed limit. What is it?
  1. As low as 5 mph
  2. As low as 20 mph
  3. As low as 30 mph
  4. As low as 15 mph

Answer: As low as 15 mph

Some school zones may have speed limits as low as 15 mph.

Handbook p. 56 ↗
What warning do yellow flashing lights on a school bus give?
  1. It's preparing to stop; slow down
  2. The bus is pulling away from a stop
  3. Children are crossing; stop now
  4. The bus has broken down

Answer: It's preparing to stop; slow down

Yellow flashing lights on a school bus warn you to slow down and prepare to stop.

Handbook p. 56 ↗
When a school bus flashes red lights, what must you do?
  1. Only stop if you're behind the bus
  2. Stop from either direction until the lights stop flashing
  3. Slow down but you may proceed carefully
  4. Stop only if children are visible

Answer: Stop from either direction until the lights stop flashing

You must stop from either direction when a school bus flashes red lights, until they stop and children are safe.

Handbook p. 57 ↗
On a divided or multilane highway (2+ lanes each direction), do you need to stop for a school bus on the OTHER side?
  1. Yes, always
  2. Only if the bus is in the leftmost lane
  3. No, you do not
  4. Only if children are crossing

Answer: No, you do not

If the school bus is on the other side of a divided or multilane highway, you do not need to stop.

Handbook p. 57 ↗
What penalties can you face if you fail to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
  1. Up to $500 and a 6-month suspension
  2. Up to $1,000 and a 1-year suspension
  3. Up to $2,000 and a 2-year suspension
  4. Up to $100 and one point

Answer: Up to $1,000 and a 1-year suspension

Failing to stop for a school bus can bring a fine of up to $1,000 and a one-year license suspension.

Handbook p. 57 ↗
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