School bus stops — Illinois Permit Test

A driver need not stop for a school bus stopped in the opposite direction when both vehicles are on a four-lane roadway.

Four lanes put two lanes of traffic between the bus and the children crossing to it. It is the one case where Illinois does not ask for a stop.

A vehicle is not required to stop for a school bus when both vehicles are on a four-lane roadway and the bus is stopped in the opposite direction from which a driver is traveling.

At any other time a driver must stop before meeting or overtaking a school bus that is stopped and loading or unloading passengers, on any two-lane roadway, any highway or private road, and any parking lot on school property.

Children cross in front of the bus where the driver cannot see them. The list is wide because the crossing happens wherever the bus stops.

Any other time, you must stop before meeting or overtaking (passing) a school bus that is stopped and loading or unloading passengers. This includes: • Any two-lane roadway in rural areas and within city limits. • Any roadway, highway, or private road. • Any parking lot located on school property.

A school bus gives warning at least 100 feet before a stop, or 200 feet in rural areas, by flashing lights on the front and rear of the bus.

The flashing lights come before the stop arm, so they are the signal a driver can act on while there is still room.

A warning will be given by the school bus at least 100 feet (200 feet in rural areas) in advance of a stop.

A driver approaching a school bus from the opposite direction must stop and stay stopped until the stop signal arm is folded away and the flashing lights are off, or the bus driver waves traffic past.

The arm stays out while a child is still in the road. Moving when the last child you can see has crossed is how the one you cannot see is hit.

When approaching a school bus from the opposite direction, you must come to a complete stop and remain stopped until the stop signal arm is no longer extended and the flashing lights are turned off, or the school bus driver signals vehicles to pass.

A conviction for passing a stopped school bus with flashing lights and the stop arm extended brings a suspension of driving privileges and a mandatory fine of $300 with community service.

The penalty is a suspension rather than points, because the offense is the one most likely to kill a child. The fine is fixed by law.

If convicted of this violation, you will be subject to a mandatory fine of $300 and community service in an amount set by the court.

Where the vehicle’s owner was not driving when a school bus offense happened, they must give the State’s Attorney the name of the driver or their registration is suspended for three months.

Lending the car cannot be a way of making the ticket disappear. Naming the driver is the price of keeping the plates.

If the owner(s) of the vehicle were not driving when the offense occurred, they must provide the State’s Attorney’s Office with the name of the person driving the vehicle, or their vehicle registration will be suspended for three months.

When does Illinois not require a stop for a school bus in the opposite direction?

When both vehicles are on a four-lane roadway. Four lanes put two lanes of traffic between the bus and the children crossing to it. It is the one case where Illinois does not ask for a stop. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, p.32: “A vehicle is not required to stop for a school bus when both vehicles are on a four-lane roadway and the bus is stopped in the opposite direction from which a driver is traveling.”