Key points
For an emergency vehicle, pull to the right edge and stop. If you are in an intersection, drive through it, then pull over.
Source: Handbook p. 11
“Where possible, you must pull to the right edge of the road and come to a stop. If you are in an intersection, drive through the intersection, then pull over.”
Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 11Approaching an emergency vehicle stopped on the roadside, try to leave at least one lane between you.
Source: Handbook p. 11
“try to leave at least one lane between your vehicle and the emergency vehicle.”
Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 11If you cannot change lanes, slow to 25 mph where the limit is 45 mph or less.
Source: Handbook p. 11
“25 MPH if the posted speed limit is 45 MPH or less”
Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 11Where the limit is above 45 mph, slow to 20 mph under the posted limit.
Source: Handbook p. 11
“20 MPH under the posted speed limit if the posted speed limit is above 45 MPH”
Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 11Passing snow plows working in a staggered diagonal formation is illegal.
Source: Handbook p. 11
“It is illegal to pass an authorized snow plow when it is working in a formation in which the plows are staggered diagonally.”
Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 11Stop at least 20 feet before a school bus with flashing red lights, and stay stopped until they stop flashing.
Source: Handbook p. 11
“You must stop your vehicle at least 20 feet before reaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing, and you must stop until the lights stop flashing.”
Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 11You need not stop if a median or other physical barrier separates you from the bus.
Source: Handbook p. 11
“You are not required to stop if there is a median or other physical barrier separating the bus from your vehicle.”
Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 11Yield to a transit bus signaling to enter traffic when its rear yield sign is lit.
Source: Handbook p. 11
“You must yield right-of-way to a transit bus if it is signaling to enter a traffic lane and the yield sign on the rear of the bus is illuminated.”
Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 11Speeding in a work or construction zone can bring double fines.
Source: Handbook p. 12
“Failure to follow the speed limit in a work/ construction zone can result in double fines.”
Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 12
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 25 mph where 45 mph or less | speed to pass a stopped emergency vehicle when you cannot change lanes | Handbook p. 11 |
| 20 mph under, above 45 mph | speed reduction on faster roads when you cannot change lanes | Handbook p. 11 |
| 20 feet | minimum stopping distance from a school bus with flashing red lights | Handbook p. 11 |
3 questions from the Colorado practice test
1. If an emergency vehicle approaches while you are in an intersection, what should you do?
- Turn left and follow the emergency vehicle
- Stop immediately in the intersection
- Drive through the intersection, then pull over
- Reverse to the edge you just entered from
Show answer
Drive through the intersection, then pull over. A driver already in an intersection should not stop where the emergency vehicle needs to travel or reverse into other traffic. Continue through the intersection, then pull over when clear. Stopping in the crossing can block the responder and expose your vehicle to a second conflict. Following the emergency vehicle is also unsafe because it removes the required separation. Watch for pedestrians and other vehicles while clearing the intersection, then stop at the right edge when possible.
2. When passing an emergency vehicle stopped along the road, what speed applies if the posted limit is 45 mph or less?
- Slow to 15 mph in every such location
- Continue at the posted limit if you move one lane away
- Slow to 25 mph unless emergency personnel or conditions direct otherwise
- Stop and wait until the emergency vehicle leaves
Show answer
Slow to 25 mph unless emergency personnel or conditions direct otherwise. When an emergency vehicle is stopped roadside, Colorado says drivers should leave at least one lane between vehicles when possible. If a lane change cannot be made, the driver must slow to a safe speed and use care. Unless directed otherwise or prevented by conditions, the handbook specifies 25 mph when the posted limit is 45 mph or less. Moving over does not cancel the duty to pass carefully, and the 15 mph or full-stop options are not the stated threshold.
3. A school bus is stopped with red lights flashing on the opposite side of an undivided road. What must you do?
- Stop only if the bus driver extends the stop arm toward you
- Proceed because the bus is facing the other direction
- Pass at 15 mph after checking that no child is visible
- Stop and remain stopped until the red lights stop flashing
Show answer
Stop and remain stopped until the red lights stop flashing. A Colorado driver must stop for the bus even when it is on the opposite side of the roadway, unless a median or other physical barrier separates the bus from the vehicle. The flashing red lights establish the stopping condition; a driver does not get an exception because no child is currently visible or because the stop arm is angled away. Remain stopped until the lights are no longer flashing. The key visual cue is an undivided road with the bus's red lights active.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with emergencies questions from the free Colorado practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Colorado Driver Handbook, Right-of-Way. 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.