Stopping rules, school buses and emergency vehicles

Key points

1. At a stop sign, stop at the marked stop line. With no line, stop before the near crosswalk.

   Source: Handbook p. 60

   “A vehicle approaching a STOP sign must stop at the marked stop line. If no stop line is marked, the vehicle must stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 60

2. If the traffic light is not working, treat the intersection as a four way stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “If the traffic light is inoperative, treat the intersection as you would a four-way stop.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 61

3. Stop at least 20 feet from a school bus showing its stop signals, coming from either direction.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “COMING FROM EITHER DIRECTION YOU MUST STOP WHEN YOU SEE THESE SIGNALS DISPLAYED. STOP AT LEAST 20 FEET FROM THE BUS.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 62

4. Amber lights come on at least 300 feet before a stop in rural areas and 100 feet in towns.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “IN RURAL AREAS, THE LIGHTS ARE USED AT LEAST 300 FEET BEFORE STOPPING AND IN MUNICIPALITIES AT LEAST 100 FT.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 62

5. Flashing red lights and the extended stop arm mean the bus is loading or unloading children.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “FLASHING RED LIGHTS AND EXTENDED STOP AREA MEANS THAT THE BUS IS STOPPED TO EITHER LOAD OR UNLOAD SCHOOL CHILDREN.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 62

6. On a divided highway with four or more lanes, you need not stop for a bus in the opposing roadway.

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “A stop is not required on a divided highway having four or more lanes which permits at least two lanes of traffic to travel in opposite directions”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 61

7. For an emergency vehicle with flashing red or blue lights and a siren, pull to the side and stop. Clear an intersection first.

   Source: Handbook p. 63

   “Whether the emergency vehicle is overtaking or meeting you, pull to the side of the roadway and stop. In an intersection, clear it before stopping.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 63

8. Only vehicles on necessary official business may follow within 500 feet of an emergency vehicle on a run.

   Source: Handbook p. 65

   “Only vehicles on necessary official business are permitted to follow within 500 feet of emergency vehicles on an emergency run.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 65

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Alabama practice test

1. 1. When a school bus displays flashing red lights and its extended stop area, what does that signal mean?

   1. The bus is stopped to load or unload school children
   2. The bus is leaving the roadway permanently
   3. The bus is warning that a railroad crossing is ahead
   4. The bus is allowing traffic to pass without slowing
   Show answer

   The bus is stopped to load or unload school children. Flashing red lights and the extended stop area indicate that the school bus is stopped to load or unload school children. The warning is not permission to pass and does not describe a railroad hazard or a permanent roadside stop. Treat the bus as an active protected loading zone: reduce the chance of a child entering the roadway, obey the required stop, and wait until the bus signals no longer require traffic to remain stopped. The amber lights have a different role, warning in advance that the bus is preparing to stop.

2. 2. When an emergency vehicle approaches with flashing red or blue lights and a siren, what must a driver do?

   1. Follow the emergency vehicle closely through traffic
   2. Pull to the side of the roadway and stop
   3. Stop in the center of the intersection immediately
   4. Continue driving until reaching the next service station
   Show answer

   Pull to the side of the roadway and stop. Alabama requires drivers to yield to an approaching or overtaking emergency vehicle displaying flashing red or blue lights and sounding a siren or bell. The driver should pull to the side of the roadway and stop, but if already in an intersection, clear it before stopping. Stopping in the intersection can obstruct the emergency response, and following closely is restricted to vehicles on necessary official business. Continuing to a service station ignores the required response. The practical sequence is clear the intersection if needed, move aside, stop, and wait until the emergency vehicle passes.

3. 3. If an emergency vehicle approaches while you are already in an intersection, what should you do?

   1. Clear the intersection before pulling over and stopping
   2. Stop in the intersection so the emergency vehicle can go around
   3. Reverse to the prior stop line
   4. Continue driving behind the emergency vehicle
   Show answer

   Clear the intersection before pulling over and stopping. When an emergency vehicle is using its warning lights and siren, traffic must yield, but a driver already in the intersection should first clear that intersection. Stopping in the middle can block the emergency vehicle and create a second conflict. Reversing is unpredictable and following the responding vehicle is not a yielding maneuver. Once clear, pull to the side and stop, then remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed. A good visual cue is to finish the crossing safely, open the route, and only then take the roadside position.

Source: the Alabama Driver Manual, Chapter 6: Traffic Laws. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.