BMV Practice Test

When are you required to stop for a school bus?

1. When the stop signal is extended and the lights are flashing

2. When children are outside the bus

3. Only if the bus is on your side of the road

4. Whenever the bus driver waves at you

The correct answer is: When the stop signal is extended and the lights are flashing

Stopping for a school bus is a crucial safety measure aimed at protecting children as they board and disembark from the bus. The requirement to stop when the stop signal is extended and the lights are flashing indicates that children may be present and crossing the road. This is a universal rule to ensure that drivers are fully aware of the potential dangers and act accordingly to prevent accidents. When the school bus activates its stop sign and flashing lights, it presents a visual reminder to all drivers of the need to exercise caution. The extended stop signal is a legally binding cue that requires vehicles approaching from both directions to come to a complete stop until the signal is retracted, ensuring that children can safely cross the street without the threat of moving traffic. Other scenarios, such as only stopping when children are outside the bus or conditional stopping based on the bus's location, do not encompass the full legal requirements. The driver's gesture, like waving, is not an official signal for stopping and can create confusion. Therefore, adherence to the established visual signals—the stop sign and flashing lights—is the correct action when encountering a school bus in operation.