Key points
When a school bus stops with red lights flashing and stop arm out, stop at least 10 feet away, whether behind it or facing it.
Source: Handbook p. 58
“When the bus stops with its red lights flashing and its stop arm extended, you must stop at least 10 feet away from the bus whether you are behind it or coming toward it on the same roadway”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 58Failing to stop for a school bus brings a 60 day suspension, five points and a fine.
Source: Handbook p. 58
“Failure to stop for a school bus with a flashing red light and extended stop arm will result in a 60-day suspension of your driver’s license, five (5) points on your driving record and a fine.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 58You need not stop on the opposite side of a divided highway with a barrier or median.
Source: Handbook p. 58
“you are driving on the opposite side of a divided highway, (i.e. concrete/metal barriers, guide rails or trees/rocks/streams/grass median), you do not have to stop.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 58For a siren or flashing red or red and blue lights from any direction, pull over to the side and stop.
Source: Handbook p. 59
“When you hear a siren or see a vehicle approaching from any direction with flashing red lights or a combination of red and blue lights, you must: • Pull over to the curb or side of the road and stop.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 59After it passes, drive again keeping at least 500 feet behind the emergency vehicle.
Source: Handbook p. 59
“Start driving again after the emergency vehicle passes you, keeping at least 500 feet away from it.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 59The Move Over law requires you to move into a lane that is not next to an emergency response area or disabled vehicle.
Source: Handbook p. 59
“The Move Over law, requires motorists to move into a lane that is not adjacent to an emergency response area and or disabled vehicle.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 59If you cannot move over, slow to at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit.
Source: Handbook p. 59
“If drivers cannot move over because of traffic or other conditions, they must reduce their speed to at least 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 59A Move Over violation carries a fine up to $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second and $2,000 for a third.
Source: Handbook p. 59
“a fine of up to $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second offense and $2,000 for a third and subsequent offense.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 59A Move Over conviction adds 2 points to your record.
Source: Handbook p. 59
“Any person convicted of a violation of this law will have 2 points assessed to their driving record.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 59An open-bed truck with a person in the bed may not go faster than 35 mph.
Source: Handbook p. 59
“An open-bed pickup truck or open flatbed truck may not be driven at a speed of more than 35 mph, if any person is occupying the bed of the truck.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 59
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 10 feet | minimum stopping distance from a school bus | Handbook p. 58 |
| 60 days | suspension for passing a stopped school bus | Handbook p. 58 |
| 5 points | for passing a stopped school bus | Handbook p. 58 |
| 500 feet | minimum distance behind an emergency vehicle | Handbook p. 59 |
| 20 mph | how far below the limit to slow when you cannot move over | Handbook p. 59 |
| $500 | first Move Over fine | Handbook p. 59 |
| $1,000 | second Move Over fine | Handbook p. 59 |
| $2,000 | third Move Over fine | Handbook p. 59 |
| 2 points | for a Move Over conviction | Handbook p. 59 |
| 35 mph | top speed with a person in an open bed | Handbook p. 59 |
3 questions from the Pennsylvania practice test
1. When a school bus is stopped with red lights flashing and its stop arm extended, when may opposing traffic continue?
- When no children are visible near the bus
- When the driver can pass at less than 15 mph
- When following traffic is close behind
- When traveling on the opposite side of a divided highway
Show answer
When traveling on the opposite side of a divided highway. The school-bus stopping rule has one exception. If the bus is on the opposite side of a divided highway separated by a concrete or metal barrier, guide rail, or a median such as grass, the approaching driver does not have to stop. The driver must still reduce speed and continue with caution. Visibility of children, a low passing speed, or pressure from following traffic does not create an exception. First identify the flashing red lights and extended arm, then look for a physical separation between roadways.
2. What action is required when an emergency vehicle approaches with flashing red or red-and-blue lights?
- Continue in the lane because the emergency vehicle can pass
- Follow the emergency vehicle closely after it passes
- Stop in the center of the intersection
- Pull to the curb or side of the road and stop, staying clear of intersections
Show answer
Pull to the curb or side of the road and stop, staying clear of intersections. When an emergency vehicle approaches with flashing red or red-and-blue lights, Pennsylvania drivers must pull toward the curb or roadside and stop. They should drive parallel and as near to the curb as possible, remain clear of intersections, and wait until the vehicle passes. Stopping in an intersection blocks the emergency route, while following closely violates the required 500-foot gap after passage. Notice the lights early, signal your move, and stay stopped until the route is clear.
3. After an emergency vehicle passes, how much following distance should a Pennsylvania driver keep?
- At least 50 feet
- At least 500 feet
- No distance if the siren is silent
- One car length
Show answer
At least 500 feet. Pennsylvania tells drivers to wait for the emergency vehicle to pass and then keep at least 500 feet behind it. That space protects the response route and gives the emergency driver room to brake, turn, or encounter another hazard. Fifty feet and one car length are far shorter than the manual's figure, and a silent siren does not erase the separation requirement. Pull over and stop first, then resume only after checking for another emergency vehicle and preserving the 500-foot gap.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with emergencies questions from the free Pennsylvania practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 3: Learning to Drive. 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.