School, Pedestrian, and Bicycle Signs
School, pedestrian, and bicycle signs protect the most vulnerable road users. Minnesota's exam tests fluorescent yellow-green sign recognition, school-bus stop law, and crosswalk rules.
Core rules
- School warning signs are fluorescent yellow-green pentagons or diamonds; a School Crossing sign marks a crossing area.
- School-zone speed limits apply when flashing or when children are present, as posted; slow down and scan between parked cars.
- When a school bus has red lights flashing on an undivided road, stop at least 20 feet away and wait until the lights stop. On a divided highway, traffic on the opposite side of the median does not have to stop.
- Pedestrian crossing signs and crosswalk markings require you to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk; do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.
- Bicycle signs and bike lanes indicate where cyclists belong; share the road and give space.
Worked example
A school bus stops ahead on a two-lane road with its red lights flashing and stop arm out. You are behind it. You must stop at least 20 feet from the bus and remain stopped until the red lights stop flashing and the arm retracts. The yellow lights before the red are a warning to prepare to stop, not permission to pass.
Traps
- Stopping only 10 feet behind a school bus, inside the required 20-foot buffer.
- Treating a school pentagon as a railroad or yield sign because of its shape.
- Passing a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.
- Assuming the school-zone limit applies only during school hours rather than when flashing or children are present.