Pedestrians, school buses and emergency vehicles

Key points

1. At intersections without signals, pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks have the right of way.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “At intersections without traffic signals, pedestrians have the right of way if they are in marked crosswalks or in unmarked crosswalks”
   North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 46

2. If the light changes while a pedestrian is still in the street, let them finish crossing.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “If a traffic signal changes to yellow or red while any pedestrian remains in the street, drivers must allow the pedestrian to complete the crossing safely.”
   North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 46

3. The maximum speed limit for a school bus is 45 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “The maximum speed limit for a school bus is 45 mph.”
   North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 47

4. When a school bus shows its stop signal or flashing red lights, do not pass until the signal is withdrawn, the lights are off and the bus moves.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “must stop and not attempt to pass the school bus until the mechanical stop signal is withdrawn, the flashing red lights are turned off and the bus has started to move.”
   North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 47

5. On a four-lane road without a median, traffic from both directions must stop for the bus.

   Source: Handbook p. 48

   “Four-lane roadway without a median separation: When school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.”
   North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 48

6. On a divided highway of four or more lanes with a median, only traffic following the bus must stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 48

   “Divided highway of four lanes or more with a median separation: When school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following the bus must stop.”
   North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 48

7. As an emergency vehicle approaches from ahead or behind, drive to the right edge and stop completely.

   Source: Handbook p. 48

   “As the emergency vehicle approaches (from ahead or behind), drive to the right-hand curb or edge of the road and stop completely;”
   North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 48

8. Do not park within 100 feet of an emergency vehicle stopped to investigate a crash or give help.

   Source: Handbook p. 48

   “Do not park within 100 feet of an emergency vehicle that has stopped to investigate an accident or to give assistance;”
   North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 48

9. Never drive over a fire hose.

   Source: Handbook p. 48

   “Never drive a motor vehicle over a fire hose.”
   North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 48

Numbers to know

3 questions from the North Carolina practice test

1. 1. A school bus stops on a two-lane roadway to receive passengers. Which traffic must stop?

   1. Only traffic behind the bus
   2. Traffic from both directions
   3. Only traffic approaching the bus
   4. No traffic if children are not visible
   Show answer

   Traffic from both directions. On a two-lane roadway, all traffic from both directions must stop when the school bus stops for passengers. The same all-direction rule also applies to a four-lane roadway without a median and to a two-lane roadway with a center turning lane. Only traffic following the bus stops on a divided highway of four or more lanes with a median separation, which is a different roadway design. Visibility of children does not remove the duty. Watch for the bus's mechanical stop signal or flashing red lights, stop, and wait until the signal is withdrawn, the lights turn off, and the bus starts moving.

2. 2. As an emergency vehicle approaches from ahead or behind, what must a driver do?

   1. Drive to the right-hand curb or edge of the road and stop completely
   2. Move left and stop in the center of the roadway
   3. Pull alongside the emergency vehicle and wait for instructions
   4. Continue at the same speed until the emergency vehicle passes
   Show answer

   Drive to the right-hand curb or edge of the road and stop completely. North Carolina directs a driver to move to the right-hand curb or edge of the road and stop completely when an emergency vehicle approaches from either direction. The stop creates a predictable path for the responding vehicle. Continuing at the same speed does not yield, and moving left can place the driver in the emergency vehicle’s path. Pulling alongside it is not the instruction and can obstruct responders. After stopping, remain there until the emergency vehicle has passed or a traffic officer directs you to move. Watch mirrors and listen for sirens so the maneuver begins early.

3. 3. How close may you park to an emergency vehicle stopped to investigate an accident or give assistance?

   1. Not within 25 feet
   2. Not within 10 feet
   3. There is no distance rule
   4. Not within 100 feet
   Show answer

   Not within 100 feet. A driver may not park within 100 feet of an emergency vehicle that has stopped to investigate an accident or provide assistance. The distance protects responders and leaves room for other emergency equipment to approach or work. The 25-foot and 10-foot alternatives are smaller distances and therefore do not meet this rule. Parking farther away is the safe choice when a response scene is visible. Do not use the stopped vehicle as a landmark for a quick roadside stop: continue beyond the 100-foot buffer and keep the access area open for the emergency operation.

Source: the North Carolina Driver Handbook, Chapter 4: Your Driving. 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.