School zones and school buses

By the end of this topic you can

• You can recognise the start and end of a school zone.
• You can apply the right speed and times for your state.
• You can watch for children near crossings, parked cars and buses.
• You can pass a stopped school bus safely and legally.

What you need to know and understand

• In most states the school zone limit is 40 km/h during the signed times on school days.
• South Australia uses 25 km/h in school zones when a child is present, and also has 40 km/h time-based limits near schools on roads with limits of 50 km/h or more, on school days from 8am to 9.30am and 2pm to 4pm.
• In Queensland and Victoria, a school zone on a road with a normal limit of 80 km/h or more can have a 60 km/h school zone limit instead of 40 km/h, so read the sign.
• School zone times vary by state; in NSW most zones apply from 8am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 4pm on school days, while in Queensland most apply from 7am to 9am and 2pm to 4pm.
• Many school zones have flashing lights on the sign, and NSW also uses painted 'dragon's teeth' markings.
• In built-up areas, you must give way to a bus pulling out from a stop when it displays a give way to buses sign.

How school zones differ by state

Times and pupil-free day rules change, so always follow the sign in front of you rather than a memory of another state.

• NSW: 40 km/h at signed times on school days in most zones; a small number of non-standard zones have different times or a 30 km/h limit.
• Victoria: 40 km/h outside most schools (permanent on many 50 km/h roads, time-based on 60 and 70 km/h roads); 40 or 60 km/h time-based limits on roads of 80 km/h or more.
• Queensland: 40 km/h where the normal limit is 50 to 70 km/h, and 60 km/h where it is 80 km/h or more.
• SA: 25 km/h whenever a child is in the zone, on the road, footpath or median, plus 40 km/h time-based limits near schools on roads of 50 km/h or more.
• WA, Tasmania and the NT: 40 km/h during the school zone times shown on the sign.
• ACT: 40 km/h at the times and days shown when the school zone sign is open.

Around school buses

Children getting off a bus often cross the road straight away, sometimes from in front of or behind the bus. Slow right down when you see a stopped school bus.

Several states set a lower speed for passing school buses. NSW requires 40 km/h when passing a bus showing flashing lights in your direction, Tasmania 40 km/h within 50 metres of a school bus showing its warning lights, and SA 25 km/h when passing a stopped school bus. Check your state's handbook for the exact rule.

Habits that protect kids

• Cover the brake when you see children near the kerb.
• Watch the gaps between parked cars for small feet.
• Never double-park or stop on a crossing to drop off.
• Stop for children's crossings with flags and wait until everyone is off.

Common mistakes

• Forgetting school zone times apply on school days even if the street looks quiet.
• Speeding up again before passing the end-of-zone sign.
• Overtaking a stopped school bus at normal speed.
• Assuming another state's school zone speed applies when driving interstate.

Test yourself: School zones and school buses

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• School Zone Times in Australia