Updated · Checked against the California Driver’s Handbook, the California Vehicle Code (CVC) and the DMV drive-test criteria (DL 955).

Lesson 34 of 38 · California traffic rules

The school crossing guard The STOP sign in the guard's hand

The rule

Near a school, obey the directions of the school crossing guard at all times. When the guard holds up the STOP sign, stop and wait. The sign still counts while the guard walks back to the sidewalk.

CVC 2815 · CA Driver's Handbook, "Around Children"
School speed limit 25 (SR4-1(CA))
SR4-1(CA)School speed limit 25
School crosswalk (SW24-2(CA))
SW24-2(CA)School crosswalk
In short

Do you have to stop for a school crossing guard in California?

Yes: obey the guard's directions at all times; disregarding them is an infraction (CVC 2815).

Why this rule exists

The guard sees the children that you cannot see yet. Small children follow the guard, not the traffic, so the guard's sign is what keeps the road clear for them.

Step by step on the road

  1. Near a school, slow down: 25 mph within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing, or lower where posted.
  2. Look for the crossing guard at the crosswalk, and cover the brake.
  3. When the guard holds up the STOP sign, stop before the crosswalk and wait.
  4. Stay stopped while the children cross, and while the guard walks back to the sidewalk with the sign still up.
  5. Go only when the guard is off the road.

Common mistakes

  • Driving on as soon as the children reach the far side, while the guard is still in the road.
  • Driving around the guard.
  • Coming up to a school crosswalk too fast to stop easily.

On the DMV drive test

DL 955 lists disobeying any safety personnel, law enforcement officer or firefighter as a critical driving error, under "Disobeys traffic safety personnel or safety vehicles". One critical error is enough to fail the test.

Based on the DMV’s Driving Test Criteria (DL 955) and its score sheet (DL 32). How the drive test works ›

Questions people ask

Can you drive when the children have crossed but the guard is still in the road?

No. Wait until the guard is back on the sidewalk. CVC 2815 also covers the guard while returning to a place of safety.

What is the speed limit near a school in California?

25 mph within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing the street. Some school zones have limits as low as 15 mph (Handbook).

What color are school crosswalks in California?

Yellow. Crosswalks near schools are marked in yellow (CVC 21368).

Test yourself

Kees' three questions on this rule, the “Did you know?” facts and his tip come with the drive, in Voorrah! Pro.

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