Pedestrians, emergency vehicles and school buses

Key points

1. It is illegal to drive on a sidewalk unless you are crossing it.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “It is illegal to drive on a sidewalk unless you are crossing it.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 51

2. For emergency lights and sirens, pull over and stop until the vehicle passes. Do not stop in an intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “Pull over to the side of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. Do not stop in the middle of the intersection.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 51

3. Passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights, move into the lane not nearest it.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “make sure to move into the lane not nearest the stopped vehicle. Keep in the farthest lane until you have gone past the emergency vehicle.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 51

4. For a police car stopped on the roadside with lights on, move over or slow down. It is the law.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “If you see a police car is stopped on the side of the road with their lights and sirens on, move over or slow down, it's the law.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 51

5. Stop at least 20 feet from a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “When a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing you need to stop at least 20 feet from it.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 51

6. You may go once the bus's red lights stop flashing.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “Watch for children. You can proceed once the red lights on the school bus have stopped flashing.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 51

7. On a divided highway, you need not stop if you are not on the bus's side.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “If you are on a divided highway/roadway and not on the side of the school bus, you do not need to stop.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 51

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Wisconsin practice test

1. 1. What must a driver do when an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and sirens?

   1. Stop in the middle of the intersection
   2. Pull to the side and stop until it has passed
   3. Follow the emergency vehicle closely through traffic
   4. Remain in the nearest lane and continue normally
   Show answer

   Pull to the side and stop until it has passed. Flashing emergency lights and sirens signal the driver to move toward the side of the road and stop. Remaining in the nearest lane can obstruct the emergency response, and stopping in an intersection creates a dangerous blockage. Following the responding vehicle is not a permitted way to gain priority. If already in an intersection, clear it safely before stopping. The cue is to create open space, stay stopped, and wait until the emergency vehicle has gone by.

2. 2. When approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights, which lane should you use?

   1. The lane not nearest the stopped vehicle
   2. The lane nearest the stopped vehicle
   3. The shoulder between the vehicle and curb
   4. Any lane without slowing
   Show answer

   The lane not nearest the stopped vehicle. When an emergency vehicle is stopped with its lights flashing, move into the lane farthest from that vehicle when it is safe. This gives the officer and other responders a wider buffer from passing traffic. Choosing the nearest lane leaves too little separation, using the shoulder can put a driver where responders are working, and maintaining speed without moving ignores the handbook’s instruction. Scan ahead for flashing lights, change lanes carefully, and remain in the farther lane until you have passed.

3. 3. Where should you not stop when yielding to an approaching emergency vehicle?

   1. In a legal parking area
   2. On the side of the road
   3. In the middle of an intersection
   4. Behind the stop line
   Show answer

   In the middle of an intersection. A driver yielding to an approaching emergency vehicle must not stop in the middle of an intersection. That position can block the responder’s route and create a conflict with cross traffic. Pull toward the side of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed, while avoiding sudden movements. The side of the road, a legal parking area, or a position behind the stop line can be appropriate depending on the roadway. The key cue is to clear the intersection before stopping.

Source: the Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Section 10: Sharing 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.