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Ohio driving lesson · Passing, Railroads, School Buses & Parking

Stopping for school buses

A 3-minute lesson from the Ohio 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
Passing, Railroads, School Buses & Parking
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
25

School bus lights work like a countdown: amber means the bus is about to stop, red means children are getting on or off and you must stop. Whether oncoming traffic stops depends on how many lanes the road has.

Know the rule

You must stop for a school bus that is dropping off or picking up students.

Handbook p. 25 ↗

School bus lights

School bus lights
LightsMeaning / what you do
4 amber (2 front, 2 rear)Bus preparing to stop; prepare to stop
4 red (2 front, 2 rear)Bus stopped, children entering/leaving; stop
Stop arm with red lightsExtends on left side; stop
Handbook p. 25 ↗

Know the rule

You are not required to stop while the amber lights flash, but prepare to stop as soon as the bus comes to a full stop.

Handbook p. 25 ↗

Know the rule

If the bus has no stop arm, you are still required to stop.

Handbook p. 25 ↗
10 feet

Minimum stopping distance from the front or rear of a stopped school bus (roads with fewer than four lanes)

Handbook p. 25 ↗

Who must stop

Who must stop
RoadWho stopsUntil
Fewer than four lanesAll traffic, both directionsBus moves or driver signals
Four or more lanesOnly traffic going the bus's wayBus begins to move
Handbook p. 25 ↗
No-passing zone around a stopped school bus
Two-lane road: traffic in both directions stops
No-passing zone around a stopped school bus
Four or more lanes: only traffic behind the bus stops

Know the rule

School bus drivers who believe a motorist illegally passed the stopped bus may report the license plate number and location to law enforcement, who will try to identify the driver.

Handbook p. 25 ↗

Put it into practice

You're driving toward a school bus that stops with red lights flashing on a two-lane road. You're coming from the opposite direction but must still stop at least 10 feet away until the bus moves or the driver waves you on.

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 do amber warning lights on a school bus mean?
  1. You must stop immediately
  2. The bus has already stopped
  3. The bus is about to stop
  4. It's safe to pass the bus

Answer: The bus is about to stop

Amber lights warn that the bus is preparing to stop; other vehicles aren't required to stop yet, but should prepare to.

Handbook p. 25 ↗
On a road with fewer than four lanes, how close may you approach a stopped school bus with red lights flashing?
  1. You must stop at least 20 feet from the bus
  2. You must stop at least 5 feet from the bus
  3. You may pass slowly if no children are visible
  4. You must stop at least 10 feet from the bus

Answer: You must stop at least 10 feet from the bus

On roads with fewer than four lanes, traffic from both directions must stop at least 10 feet from the bus.

Handbook p. 25 ↗
On a road with four or more lanes, which traffic must stop for a stopped school bus?
  1. Only same-direction traffic
  2. All traffic in both directions
  3. Only traffic approaching from behind in any lane
  4. No traffic is required to stop

Answer: Only same-direction traffic

On roads with 4+ lanes, only traffic proceeding in the same direction as the bus must stop.

Handbook p. 25 ↗
If a school bus has no stop arm extended, are you still required to stop for its flashing red lights?
  1. No, the stop arm is required to trigger the stop law
  2. Yes — you must stop even without a stop arm
  3. Only if children are visibly crossing
  4. Only on roads with fewer than four lanes

Answer: Yes — you must stop even without a stop arm

If there is no stop arm, you are still required to stop for the bus's flashing red lights.

Handbook p. 25 ↗
A school bus stopped on a 5-lane road has its red lights flashing. You're two lanes away, traveling the opposite direction. Must you stop?
  1. No — only same-direction traffic must stop
  2. Yes, all traffic must always stop
  3. Only if you're in the lane closest to the bus
  4. Only during school hours

Answer: No — only same-direction traffic must stop

On roads with four or more lanes, only traffic proceeding in the same direction as the bus must stop.

Handbook p. 25 ↗
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