Illinois Driving Permit Practice Test

The appropriate situation when you do not have to stop for a school bus is when you are on the opposite side of a divided roadway. A divided roadway typically has a physical barrier or a median separating the lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions. In this case, the law recognizes that if you are on the opposite side, you are not in the immediate vicinity of the stopped school bus, which is designed to protect the safety of children getting on or off the bus. While it is important to remain vigilant and aware of school bus signals, other factors such as whether the bus is flashing its lights or the time of day do not negate the requirement to stop when necessary. If a school bus has its lights flashing, drivers are required to stop, regardless of the time of day, as this indicates that children are either getting on or off the bus. Similarly, being in a hurry does not excuse a driver from following traffic laws, including the requirement to stop for a school bus when its lights are activated.