School buses
Every province requires drivers to stop for a school bus that is loading or unloading children. Children may cross in front of or behind the bus without looking, so these rules carry some of the toughest penalties for drivers.
The basic signals are the same across Canada, but the stopping distance, the median rule and the penalties are set by each province.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can tell the difference between a bus preparing to stop and a bus that is stopped for children.
- You can stop at the right distance from either direction.
- You can decide when you may move again.
- You can stay alert for children near a bus even after the lights go off.
What you need to know and understand
- Flashing amber lights mean the bus is about to stop: slow down and get ready to stop.
- Flashing red lights or an extended stop arm mean you must stop, whether you are behind the bus or coming towards it.
- In Ontario, drivers coming from behind must stop at least 20 metres away.
- In Quebec, drivers must stop more than 5 metres from the bus.
- In Ontario and Quebec, traffic on the other side of a median does not have to stop.
- Stay stopped until the red lights stop flashing and the stop arm folds away.
- In Ontario the school bus law applies on any road, at any time, not only in school hours.
- Penalties are heavy: in Ontario a first offence brings a large fine and six demerit points.
Reading the bus's lights
Warning light set-ups can vary between provinces and bus types, so treat any flashing lights on a school bus as a signal to slow down and be ready to stop.
- Amber lights flashing: the bus is getting ready to stop. Slow down and prepare to stop.
- Red lights flashing: the bus has stopped for children. Stop.
- Stop arm out: stop and stay stopped.
- Lights off and arm folded: you may move on slowly, watching for children.
Which drivers have to stop
On a road without a median, drivers in both directions must stop. Children may be crossing to or from either side, so the far lane is just as dangerous as the near one.
Where a median separates the two directions, Ontario and Quebec only require drivers behind the bus to stop. Check your own province's handbook, because the definition of a median can vary.
If you are coming towards the bus, stop far enough back that children have room to cross in front of you.
How far back, province by province
Ontario asks drivers approaching from behind to stop at least 20 metres back. Quebec requires drivers to stop more than 5 metres from the bus. Other provinces set their own distances. A bigger gap is always safer, because it lets you see children around the bus.
School buses at railway crossings
In Ontario, a school bus must stop before every railway crossing, whether or not it has gates or signal lights, unless a flagperson directs otherwise. Expect this and leave space so you are not caught by surprise.
Common mistakes
- Passing a bus with amber lights flashing. Amber means slow down and get ready, not hurry past.
- Assuming oncoming drivers do not need to stop. On a road without a median, both directions stop.
- Moving off the moment the lights stop. Look around for children first.
- Stopping too close behind the bus. Leave a big gap so you can see around it.
Test yourself: School buses
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
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Go deeper
Sources: Ontario MTO Official Driver's Handbook, Stopping (ontario.ca); Ontario MTO Official Driver's Handbook, Sharing the road with other road users (ontario.ca); Ontario Highway Traffic Act, section 174 (ontario.ca e-Laws); Quebec Highway Safety Code, section 460 (legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with your province or territory.