Florida Class E Knowledge ExamFlorida Road RulesMedium

You are driving on a Florida roadway and approach a school bus that has stopped and extended its STOP arm on a two-lane highway. What is your legal obligation?

  1. AYou must slow down and be prepared to stop if children are actively crossing the road.
  2. BYou may proceed with caution if there is a median separating your lane from the bus.
  3. CYou may pass the bus on the left if no children are visible outside the bus.
  4. DYou must stop before reaching the bus and remain stopped until the STOP arm is retracted and the bus begins to move.
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D. You must stop before reaching the bus and remain stopped until the STOP arm is retracted and the bus begins to move.

On a two-lane highway, all traffic moving in both directions must stop when a school bus stops and extends its STOP arm. This is a critical safety measure to protect children entering or exiting the bus.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. This is insufficient; a full stop is required, not just slowing down and preparing to stop.
  • B. A median separating lanes changes the rule, but this question specifies a 'two-lane highway,' implying no median.
  • C. Passing a stopped school bus with a deployed STOP arm on a two-lane highway is illegal and dangerous.

School Bus Stop Law (Two-Lane Highway)

On a two-lane highway, all drivers approaching a stopped school bus with its STOP arm extended and lights flashing must stop and remain stopped until the STOP arm is retracted and the bus resumes motion.

  • Applies to traffic in both directions.
  • Must stop before reaching the bus.
  • Only exception is if a raised median separates the lanes.

Memory trick: School bus red lights, kids ahead, means all traffic, stop dead!

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