School buses, turns and signals

Key points

1. Do not change lanes while driving through or approaching an intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 88

   “Do not change lanes while you are driving through an intersection or approaching an intersection as this is dangerous and illegal.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 88

2. Stop at least thirty feet from a stopped school bus loading or unloading children.

   Source: Handbook p. 88

   “You must stop at least thirty feet from a stopped school bus that is loading or unloading children.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 88

3. Bus yellow lights come on at least 100 feet but no more than 500 feet before the stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 88

   “Bus drivers will activate the flashing yellow lights of the bus at least 100 feet but no more than 500 feet before the school bus stop.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 88

4. Wait for the bus to move and scan before driving again, whether meeting or following it.

   Source: Handbook p. 88

   “Wait for the vehicle to move and scan before starting to drive again. This is required by law whether you are meeting the bus or traveling behind it.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 88

5. You need not stop for a bus across a ditch, median or barrier that prevents driving across.

   Source: Handbook p. 88

   “When a school bus is stopped in opposite lanes on a roadway separated by a ditch, grassy median, elevated concrete barrier or any obstacle that prevents traffic from driving thereon, you are not required to stop.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 88

6. On a four lane road without a barrier, you must stop for the bus.

   Source: Handbook p. 89

   “Drivers must stop on a four lane roadway when it is not separated by a barrier.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 89

7. Signal and get into the proper lane at least 100 feet before a turn.

   Source: Handbook p. 89

   “The law requires that you signal and get into the proper lane at least 100 feet before making a turn.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 89

8. While waiting to turn left, keep your wheels straight so a rear impact will not push you into traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 90

   “Keep your wheels straight while waiting to turn. This will prevent you from being pushed into traffic, if you are hit from behind.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 90

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Louisiana practice test

1. 1. A school bus is stopped on a two-lane road with red lights flashing. What must traffic do?

   1. Drivers may continue once the bus door opens
   2. Only traffic behind the bus must stop
   3. Oncoming drivers may pass if they slow below 15 mph
   4. Drivers in both directions must stop at least 30 feet away
   Show answer

   Drivers in both directions must stop at least 30 feet away. A bus loading or unloading children requires a stop at least thirty feet away, and the rule applies whether a driver is meeting the bus or following it. The following-only choice overlooks the danger to children crossing the roadway. Do not resume simply because the bus door changes position. Wait for the bus to move, then scan before driving, and remain alert whenever the red lights and stop sign are active.

2. 2. A school bus stops across a raised median with red lights flashing. Must your traffic stop?

   1. Only if the bus is within 100 feet
   2. Yes, every roadway must stop for every bus
   3. No, a median or barrier prevents traffic from driving across to the bus
   4. Only after an officer directs you to stop
   Show answer

   No, a median or barrier prevents traffic from driving across to the bus. Traffic on the opposite side does not have to stop when a ditch, grassy median, elevated concrete barrier, or another obstacle prevents vehicles from driving across to the bus. The physical separation is the key condition, not the distance to the bus. This exception does not permit passing a bus in your own roadway. Slow, watch carefully for children, and obey the stop requirement whenever your side is not separated.

3. 3. After stopping for a school bus, when may a driver begin moving again?

   1. When the driver can see around the bus from the stopped position
   2. As soon as the flashing red lights turn off, without checking
   3. After waiting ten seconds even if the bus remains stopped
   4. After the bus moves and the driver scans before proceeding
   Show answer

   After the bus moves and the driver scans before proceeding. After stopping for a school bus, the driver must wait for the vehicle to move and scan before starting to drive again. Turning off the red lights alone is not enough if the bus remains in place or children are still nearby. A fixed ten-second wait has no role in this rule, and seeing around the bus does not confirm that the roadway is clear. Keep the vehicle stopped, watch the bus, and check both sides before proceeding.

Source: the Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Chapter 6: Traffic Laws and Regulations. 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.