School buses, bicycles, motorcycles and trucks

Key points

1. Passing a stopped school bus brings at least a 60 day suspension and at least a $500 fine, or up to 6 months in jail, for a first offense.

   Source: PDF page 60

   “The penalty for passing a stopped school bus is a minimum of 60 days driver's license suspension and a minimum fine of $500 or confinement in jail for not more than six (6) months for the first offense.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 60

2. If the driver who passed the bus cannot be identified, the vehicle's owner or lessee is guilty of a misdemeanor.

   Source: PDF page 60

   “If the identity of the driver of a vehicle that passes a stopped school bus cannot be ascertained, the owner or lessee of the vehicle in violation is guilty of a misdemeanor”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 60

3. Keep at least 3 to 4 seconds of following distance behind a motorcycle.

   Source: PDF page 61

   “It is wise to keep a safe minimum three -to-four second following distance.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 61

4. If you cannot see the truck driver's reflection in the side mirror, you are in the truck's blind spot.

   Source: PDF page 62

   “If you cannot see the driver's reflection, you are in the truck driver's blind spot.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 62

5. Never pass a truck on the right during a turn.

   Source: PDF page 63

   “Never pass a truck on the right during a turn.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 63

6. Never sound your horn near a horse.

   Source: PDF page 63

   “Never sound your horn when approaching or near a horse, as this may frighten the horse and cause a crash.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 63

7. When passing a bicyclist, slow down, make sure they know you are there and leave plenty of room.

   Source: PDF page 63

   “When passing a bicyclist, slow down, make sure they are aware of you, and leave plenty of room between him or her and your vehicle.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 63

8. If there is no room to pass a bicyclist and traffic is coming, wait until traffic has gone by.

   Source: PDF page 63

   “If there is no room to pass and traffic is approaching, wait until traffic has gone by before passing.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 63

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the West Virginia practice test

1. 1. What is the minimum license suspension for passing a stopped school bus?

   1. At least 10 days
   2. At least 60 days
   3. At least one year
   4. No suspension for a first offense
   Show answer

   At least 60 days. The handbook lists a minimum of 60 days of driver’s license suspension for passing a stopped school bus. It also lists a minimum fine of $500 or confinement in jail for not more than six months for the first offense. Ten days understates the suspension, and one year is not the minimum figure given. The claim that a first offense brings no suspension is also wrong. When red bus lights are flashing, stop and wait until the bus resumes motion, the driver signals you to proceed, or the visual signals stop.

2. 2. What is the safest response when there is no room to pass a bicyclist because traffic is approaching?

   1. Follow within one car length until the cyclist moves aside
   2. Pass immediately by moving onto the shoulder
   3. Sound the horn and squeeze between the bicycle and traffic
   4. Wait until the approaching traffic has gone by
   Show answer

   Wait until the approaching traffic has gone by. The handbook tells drivers to wait when an oncoming vehicle leaves no room to pass a bicyclist. That pause protects the cyclist from being crowded and gives the driver a clear, safer path once opposing traffic has gone by. The shoulder may contain hazards and is not an automatic passing lane. A horn does not create space, and close following increases pressure without solving the conflict. Slow down, remain patient, and pass only after leaving plenty of room between the vehicle and bicycle.

3. 3. What should a driver do before passing a bicyclist on a West Virginia roadway?

   1. Slow down, make sure the bicyclist is aware, and leave plenty of room
   2. Sound the horn continuously and pass within the same lane
   3. Accelerate so the bicyclist has less time beside the vehicle
   4. Wait only for a traffic signal before moving around the bicyclist
   Show answer

   Slow down, make sure the bicyclist is aware, and leave plenty of room. West Virginia tells drivers to slow down, make sure the bicyclist knows the vehicle is approaching, and leave plenty of room while passing. The choice about accelerating reverses the safety priority because extra speed reduces the time available to react if the rider moves around a pothole or changes position. A horn can provide notice, but it is not a substitute for space and controlled speed. Think of the pass as a wide, patient maneuver: check the roadway, give the rider room, and wait if opposing traffic prevents a safe path.

Source: the West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Chapter VI: Traffic Laws And Rules Of The Road. 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.