District of Columbia driving lesson · Sharing the Road
Buses, bus lanes & streetcars
A 3-minute lesson from the District of Columbia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
DC streets carry buses, dedicated bus lanes and streetcars. Buses are big and have blind spots all around, and streetcars run on fixed rails. Both get special protections.
Know the rule
Leave greater following distance behind a bus. Buses block your view and have blind spots to the front, back, and both sides.
Passing a stopped transit bus with its indicator lights flashing, keep a safe speed and watch for pedestrians. Where possible, change lanes to give the bus more space.
You may cross a bus lane to turn right where an official sign allows it. With no sign, you may turn within 40 feet of an intersection. Check mirrors and yield to bicycles and buses in the lane first.
"Bus Only" signals give buses a head start: a vertical bar means the bus may go; after three seconds a flashing triangle shows priority is ending; a horizontal bar means buses must obey normal signals.
Streetcars run on fixed rails at average speeds of 25 to 35 miles per hour. Pass a stopped streetcar going your direction only with extreme caution, when safe, on its left side; passengers may be getting on or off.
Parking, stopping or standing on or within a streetcar guideway or next to a streetcar platform is prohibited. Violators face a fine and removal or impounding.
A bus is stopped at the corner loading passengers and you want to turn right. Don't swing around in front of it. That's illegal, with a fine of at least $200. Wait or merge behind the bus.
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 illegal for a driver to do when a bus is stopped at an intersection to load or unload passengers?
Change lanes well ahead of the bus
Signal a lane change near the bus stop
Merge behind the bus
Turn right in front of the stopped bus
Answer: Turn right in front of the stopped bus
District law bars making a right turn in front of a stopped bus receiving or discharging passengers.
