New York school buses: stop 20 feet away, even across a divided highway

New York’s handbook requires traffic approaching a stopped school bus with flashing red lights from either direction to stop at least 20 feet away. This includes traffic on the opposite side of a divided highway. Do not use another state’s divided-road exception in a New York question.

Identify the bus lights first

The handbook explains that flashing yellow lights warn that the bus is preparing to stop. Slow down and prepare to stop. When the red lights flash and the bus is stopped, apply the stopping rule. A bus simply being present on the road does not establish which signal condition applies.

Both directions means both sides

Stop when following the bus and when approaching it from the opposite direction, including on the opposite side of a divided highway. A median, multiple lanes or a quiet road does not create the out-of-state exception some learners remember.

The stopping rule covers the locations described in the manual, including streets, roads, parking lots and school grounds. Check the full manual passage for the complete setting.

When may you proceed?

The handbook says you may proceed when the bus begins moving, or when the bus driver or a traffic officer signals that you can proceed. Continue checking for children, including those who may be late or cross unexpectedly. Do not assume that one child reaching the curb settles the whole situation.

Compare three study scenarios

Situation	New York response
Following a stopped bus with flashing red lights	Stop at least 20 feet away.
Opposite direction, including across a divided highway	Stop at least 20 feet away.
Yellow bus warning lights	Slow and prepare to stop.

These are original summaries for learning. They do not reproduce official exam questions. For comparison, New Jersey’s school-bus guide explains its separate 25-foot rule and raised-median instruction.

Make the state part of the memory

Write “NY — both directions — divided highway included — 20 feet” alongside the official reference. Then explain the situation in your own words. Do not keep a bare number in a shared list without the state and conditions. Use the study plan to review sharing-the-road topics together.

Sources and review

Checked October 18, 2026: NY DMV Chapter 6: Passing, school-bus section. Follow the official handbook and lawful directions at the actual scene.