School buses, passing and railroad crossings

Key points

1. Traffic behind a stopped school bus with flashing red lights must stop and may not pass.

   Source: Handbook p. 48

   “Drivers approaching a school bus from the rear may not pass the school bus when red signal lights are flashing and shall bring their vehicles to a complete stop before reaching the school bus when it is stopped.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 48

2. Oncoming drivers must also stop, except on a highway with separated roadways and two or more lanes each way.

   Source: Handbook p. 48

   “Driver upon a highway with separated roadways providing two or more lanes in each direction need not stop when approaching a school bus which is headed in the opposite direction”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 48

3. Before passing, check well ahead for no passing zones and oncoming vehicles, and do not swing out for a look.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “Check well ahead for no passing zone and oncoming vehicles. Do not swing out across center line for a look.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 36

4. When being passed, it is unlawful to speed up.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “When being passed it is unlawful to increase your speed.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 37

5. Do not pass on the right shoulder or when approaching a hill or curve without enough clear view.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “On the right shoulder of the highway.13 AAC 02.055 On approaching a hill or curve where there is not sufficient clear view ahead.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 37

6. Do not turn around near a curve or hill where you cannot see 500 feet each way.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “Do not turn around near a curve or hill when the driver cannot see 500 feet or more in each direction.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 67

7. Be prepared to stop if a train is within 1500 feet of the crossing, even at an unmarked crossing.

   Source: Handbook p. 58

   “Be prepared to stop if a train is within 1500 feet of the crossing. You must stop even if the crossing is unmarked.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 58

8. If the gates are down, stay in place until they rise; going around gates is illegal.

   Source: Handbook p. 58

   “If the gates are down, stay in place and do not cross the tracks until the gates are raised. It is against the law to go around crossing gates.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 58

9. Never shift gears while crossing the tracks.

   Source: Handbook p. 58

   “Never shift gears on the crossing.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 58

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Alaska practice test

1. 1. Before passing another vehicle on an Alaska two-lane road, what should the driver check ahead?

   1. A hill crest that hides approaching traffic
   2. Only the rearview mirror, because the opposing lane is presumed clear
   3. A solid yellow line already in the passing vehicle's lane
   4. A clear path with no no-passing zone or oncoming vehicle
   Show answer

   A clear path with no no-passing zone or oncoming vehicle. Safe passing begins with a view far enough ahead to confirm there is no no-passing zone and no oncoming vehicle. Looking only behind misses the primary conflict, while a solid yellow line or a blind hill crest signals that the maneuver should not begin. The driver must also complete the pass without interfering with approaching traffic. Stay back for sight distance, inspect the centerline and opposing lane, and abandon the attempt whenever the view cannot support a complete return to the right lane.

2. 2. How close must a train be for an Alaska driver to be prepared to stop at a crossbuck crossing?

   1. Within 100 feet
   2. Within one mile
   3. Only when the train is at the crossing
   4. Within 1,500 feet of the crossing
   Show answer

   Within 1,500 feet of the crossing. At a railroad crossbuck and warning sign, be prepared to stop if a train is within 1,500 feet of the crossing, because a train's speed and distance are easy to misjudge. If you are stuck on the tracks, get out of the vehicle, run in the direction the train is coming from so debris flies away from you, and call 911 or the blue Emergency Notification System number.

3. 3. On an Alaska two-lane road outside an urban area, when must a driver safely pull over for vehicles behind?

   1. When two vehicles are visible in the rearview mirror
   2. Whenever one vehicle follows for more than one mile
   3. Only when a police vehicle is among the following traffic
   4. When five or more vehicles are immediately behind
   Show answer

   When five or more vehicles are immediately behind. On a two-lane roadway outside an urban area, Alaska requires a driver to safely pull over when five or more vehicles are immediately behind. One vehicle, two visible vehicles, or a police presence does not establish the stated trigger. Pulling over must also be safe, so the driver should select a suitable place rather than stopping abruptly on the travel lane. Watch the traffic accumulating behind, communicate the maneuver, and let the line pass before reentering with adequate space.

Source: the Alaska Driver Manual, Signaling, Turns and Intersections. 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.