Virginia Driver Education and Traffic Safety (VADETS) Practice Test

When you encounter a school bus that is stopped but has no flashing lights or extended stop signs, you are not required by law to stop. In this situation, it's important to remember that the primary role of the flashing lights and stop signs is to indicate that children are either loading or unloading from the bus. Since neither of these signals is present, it is safe for you to proceed with caution.

While you should still remain aware of your surroundings and watch for any children in the vicinity, continuing to drive without stopping is appropriate and legal when the bus is not displaying any signals that require you to halt your vehicle. It's essential to be cautious, as children can be unpredictable, but as long as the bus is not actively signaling for a stop, you may pass safely.