New York DMV Permit Written TestRules of the Road and Traffic LawsMedium
You are driving on a two-lane road (one lane in each direction) and encounter a school bus stopped ahead with its red lights flashing. There is no physical barrier or median separating your direction of travel from the bus. What must you do?
- ASlow down and proceed with caution past the bus.
- BPass the bus on the left if there are no children visible.
- CStop at least 20 feet from the bus and remain stopped until the red lights stop flashing.
- DHonk your horn to alert children and then proceed slowly.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Stop at least 20 feet from the bus and remain stopped until the red lights stop flashing.
New York State law requires all drivers, regardless of their direction of travel, to stop at least 20 feet from a school bus when its red lights are flashing. This applies on any road without a physical barrier between directions, and you must remain stopped until the lights are off and the bus resumes motion.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Slowing down is insufficient; a full stop is required.
- B. Passing a school bus with flashing red lights is illegal and extremely dangerous.
- D. Honking is not a substitute for stopping and can startle children; it's also illegal to proceed.
School Bus Stop Law (Two-Way Road)
On a two-way road without a physical barrier, all traffic must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus with flashing red lights, regardless of direction, and remain stopped.
- Stop 20 feet away.
- Stop for flashing red lights.
- Applies to both directions on two-way roads.
- Remain stopped until lights off and bus moves.
Memory trick: Red lights on a bus, stop for all of us.