Iowa driving lesson · Right-of-Way, School Buses & Parking
Stopping for school buses
A 3-minute lesson from the Iowa course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
School bus rules depend on two things: how many lanes the road has, and whether you're behind the bus or meeting it head-on. Flashing lights warn you a stop is coming; a stopped bus with its stop arm out means children are getting on or off.
Approaching from the rear (any road): when you see flashing red or amber lights, you may not pass the bus—be prepared to stop. When it stops with its arm extended, stop no closer than 15 feet behind it and stay stopped until the arm retracts and the bus moves again.
Meeting the bus on a 2- or 3-lane road: when amber warning lights flash, slow to no more than 20 mph and be prepared to stop. Stop when the bus stops with its arm extended, and stay stopped until the arm is retracted.
On a road with four or more lanes, traffic meeting the bus in the opposite lanes need not stop—the only time you may pass a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended.
Two-lane highway with center turn lane (3 lanes): all vehicles stopFour-lane highway: only vehicles approaching from the rear stop
Put it into practice
You're on a two-lane road with a center turn lane, heading toward a bus flashing amber. Slow to 20 mph or less and get ready. When it stops and the arm swings out, stop and wait until the arm is retracted before proceeding with caution.
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.
You are on a two-lane road behind a school bus that stops with its stop arm extended. How close may you stop behind it?
No closer than 15 feet
No closer than 5 feet
No closer than 50 feet
No closer than 10 feet
Answer: No closer than 15 feet
You must stop no closer than 15 feet from the rear of the bus when its stop arm is extended.
