When approaching a school bus stopped with its stop arm extended, drivers should:

1. Come to a complete stop and wait to proceed. ✓
2. Honk their horn before passing the bus on its left.
3. Continue driving when they think most kids are probably done exiting the bus.
4. Pass the bus before its door opens.

Answer: A. Come to a complete stop and wait to proceed.

Come to a complete stop and wait to proceed until the school bus lets you go.

Why this is the answer

The handbook says you must stop when a school bus displays alternately flashing red lights, and you may not pass until the bus has started moving again, the driver signals you to go, or the red lights are no longer flashing. A school bus stopped with its stop arm out is the kind of school-bus stop where you must stop and wait rather than drive around it.

Why the other answers are wrong

• B. Honk their horn before passing the bus on its left. — Honking does not replace the required stop; the handbook says not to pass until the bus moves, the driver signals you, or the red lights stop flashing.
• C. Continue driving when they think most kids are probably done exiting the bus. — Guessing that most children are done exiting is not one of the conditions the handbook gives for passing a stopped school bus.
• D. Pass the bus before its door opens. — Passing before the bus door opens ignores the requirement to stop and wait until the bus resumes motion, signals you, or stops flashing its red lights.

Remember it

Think of a stopped school bus with flashing red lights as a stop-and-stay-put signal until the bus releases you.