California DMV Permit Test (Class C)Safe Driving PracticesMedium
You are driving on a road where a school bus ahead of you has stopped, and its red lights are flashing. There is no median or barrier separating your direction of travel from the school bus. What must you do?
- ASlow down and carefully pass the school bus, as long as no children are directly in your path.
- BProceed if you are on the opposite side of a multi-lane highway.
- CChange lanes to the far left and pass the bus with caution.
- DStop and remain stopped until the red lights stop flashing and the bus begins to move.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Stop and remain stopped until the red lights stop flashing and the bus begins to move.
California law requires all drivers, in both directions, to stop when a school bus flashes its red lights, unless there is a physical barrier (like a median) separating the roadways. You must remain stopped until the lights are off and the bus resumes motion.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is illegal and extremely dangerous; passing a stopped school bus with flashing red lights is prohibited.
- B. This only applies if there is a median or barrier; the question states there is none separating the directions of travel.
- C. Changing lanes does not exempt you from stopping when red lights are flashing on an undivided road.
Stopped School Bus Law
Drivers must stop in both directions when a school bus flashes its red stop lights, unless separated by a physical median or barrier.
- Red flashing lights mean children are entering or exiting the bus.
- Remain stopped until the red lights are off and the bus moves.
- Failure to stop can result in fines and points on your driving record.
Memory trick: Red bus lights mean 'stop for kids' – no exceptions unless a median is your friend.