School buses, railroad crossings and highway ramps

Key points

1. Stop at least 25 feet from a school bus with flashing red lights on a two lane road or a highway with lanes separated only by lines.

   Source: Handbook p. 77

   “State law requires a motorist to stop at least 25 feet away if he/she is traveling on a two-lane road or on a multi-lane highway where lanes are only separated by lines”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 77

2. On a dual lane highway, if you are on the other side of a safety island or raised median, slow to 10 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 77

   “When traveling on a dual-lane highway, a motorist should slow to 10 mph if on the other side of a safety island or raised median.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 77

3. If a school bus is stopped right in front of a school, you may pass from either direction at no more than 10 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 77

   “If a school bus has stopped directly in front of a school to pick up or let off children or persons with developmental disabilities, a motorist may pass from either direction at a speed of no more than 10 mph.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 77

4. Stop at least 15 feet from a railroad crossing when lights flash, bells ring, gates come down or a flagger signals.

   Source: Handbook p. 76

   “A motorist must stop at least 15 feet from a railroad crossing when there are flashing red lights, ringing bells, descending or lowered gates, or flag signals.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 76

5. Most trains need more than a mile to stop at 60 mph or more, so never race a train.

   Source: Handbook p. 76

   “Never race a train. A motorist can underestimate the speed and distance of trains. Most trains need more than a mile to stop if traveling at 60 mph or more.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 76

6. Never stop on railroad tracks, and make sure there is room to get all the way across first.

   Source: Handbook p. 76

   “A motorist should never stop his/her vehicle on railroad tracks.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 76

7. At an ice cream truck with red lights and a stop arm, stop, then pass at no more than 15 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 78

   “Stop, and then drive past the truck at a speed of no more than 15 mph.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 78

8. Entering a highway, speed up to the flow of traffic and avoid stopping in the acceleration lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “Speed up to the flow of traffic when leaving the acceleration lane. • Avoid coming to a complete stop in the acceleration lane.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 69

9. If you miss your exit, go on to the next one. Never back up on an exit ramp.

   Source: Handbook p. 70

   “If you miss an exit, go on to the next one. • Never back up on an exit ramp or deceleration lane.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 70

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the New Jersey practice test

1. 1. On a two-lane road, a school bus ahead has flashing red lights. How far away must approaching motorists stop?

   1. At least 10 feet
   2. At least 50 feet
   3. At least 25 feet
   4. Only after the bus begins moving again
   Show answer

   At least 25 feet. On a two-lane road, a motorist must stop at least 25 feet from a school bus with flashing red lights. Ten feet is too close for the required stopping buffer, while 50 feet adds distance the cited rule does not require. Waiting only until the bus moves could put children at risk because motorists must remain stopped until the signals are off and the roadway is safe. Spot the red lights early and begin braking before reaching the 25-foot point.

2. 2. A school bus stops on the opposite side of a dual-lane highway, separated by a safety island or raised median. What should a New Jersey driver do?

   1. Stop 25 feet behind the bus
   2. Slow to 10 mph
   3. Continue at the posted speed without checking
   4. Pass the bus at 35 mph if no children are visible
   Show answer

   Slow to 10 mph. On a dual-lane highway, a driver on the far side of a safety island or raised median should slow to 10 mph when a school bus has stopped. The 25-foot stop rule applies to the other roadway situations described in the manual. The physical median is the important cue: a raised separation changes the response from stopping to a very slow approach.

3. 3. What should a New Jersey driver do after missing an exit on a highway, parkway, or turnpike?

   1. Cross the median to return to the missed ramp
   2. Back up on the exit ramp when traffic clears
   3. Stop in the travel lane and wait for a gap
   4. Continue to the next exit
   Show answer

   Continue to the next exit. If a motorist misses an exit on a New Jersey highway, parkway, or turnpike, the safe instruction is to continue to the next exit. Backing up on an exit ramp is prohibited and creates a severe conflict with vehicles following the ramp. Stopping in a travel lane or crossing a median introduces hazards that the missed-exit rule avoids. Stay on the roadway, follow the next-exit signs, and reroute from a lawful location.

Source: the New Jersey Driver Manual, Chapter 4: Safe Driving Rules 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.