Pedestrians, school buses and transit buses

Key points

1. Pedestrians and bicyclists have the right of way at crosswalks and intersections whether marked or not.

   Source: PDF page 36

   “Pedestrians and bicyclists have the right-of-way at crosswalks and intersections whether the road is marked or not.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 36

2. Wait until a pedestrian has cleared your lane and one more lane before going.

   Source: PDF page 36

   “Wait until a pedestrian has cleared your lane and one additional lane before proceeding.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 36

3. If a pedestrian uses a wheelchair, cane, guide dog or service animal, wait until they have completely crossed.

   Source: PDF page 36

   “If the pedestrian is using a wheelchair, cane, guide dog, or other service animal, wait until they have completely crossed the street before continuing.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 36

4. You must yield to people in or about to enter a crosswalk.

   Source: PDF page 53

   “You must yield to people in or about to enter a crosswalk.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 53

5. Fines are doubled for passing a stopped school bus.

   Source: PDF page 36

   “Fines are doubled for anyone who passes a stopped school bus.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 36

6. Drivers going the same direction as a school bus must stop when its red lights flash and stop sign extends.

   Source: PDF page 36

   “All drivers traveling in the same direction as the bus must stop when the red lights flash, and the stop sign is extended.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 36

7. On a two lane road, all vehicles must stop for the bus.

   Source: PDF page 37

   “All vehicles must stop when the red lights flash and the stop sign extends.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 37

8. On a multilane road, opposite direction traffic need not stop if there are 3 or more lanes and the lanes are separated by a median or barrier.

   Source: PDF page 37

   “Drivers traveling in the opposite direction as the bus don’t need to stop when the red lights flash or the stop sign extends IF: There are three or more lanes. Lanes are separated by a median or barrier.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 37

9. Yield to a transit bus going your direction that has signaled and is pulling back onto the road.

   Source: PDF page 37

   “Yield to any transit vehicle traveling in the same direction as you that has signaled and is pulling back onto the roadway.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 37

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Washington practice test

1. 1. At an unmarked Washington intersection, which road users have the right-of-way at the crosswalk?

   1. Pedestrians and bicyclists
   2. Only bicyclists wearing helmets
   3. The vehicle with the larger engine
   4. Only vehicles already in the intersection
   Show answer

   Pedestrians and bicyclists. Washington treats the crossing protection as present even when paint is missing. Pedestrians and bicyclists have the right-of-way at crosswalks and intersections whether the road is marked or not. The absence of stripes does not turn the space into vehicle priority, and helmet use or engine size does not decide who may proceed. As you approach an intersection, scan for people first and be ready to yield before entering the crossing.

2. 2. When a pedestrian is in or about to enter a Washington crosswalk, what is the driver's duty?

   1. Continue if the vehicle is already moving
   2. Sound the horn and hold course
   3. Yield to the pedestrian
   4. Yield only when the crosswalk has stripes
   Show answer

   Yield to the pedestrian. Drivers must yield to a person in or about to enter a crosswalk. This duty is not limited to painted crossings, because the guide separately explains that every intersection is legally defined as a crosswalk. Continuing simply because the vehicle is moving ignores the person's protected path, and a horn does not replace yielding. Slow early, check the full crossing, and proceed only after the pedestrian is safely clear.

3. 3. What must drivers traveling in the same direction as a Washington school bus do when its red lights flash and stop sign extends?

   1. Pass in the center turn lane
   2. Continue if no child is visible
   3. Stop
   4. Speed up to clear the bus
   Show answer

   Stop. A bus loading zone requires a complete stop when the red lights flash and the stop sign extends. Washington applies that command to every driver traveling in the same direction as the bus, not just to drivers who can see a child. Using the center turn lane is also prohibited as a way around the stop. Watch for the red signal and extended sign, stop, and wait until the bus indicates travel may resume.

Source: the Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), Chapter 4: Roads. 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.