School Bus Laws: When to Stop for a School Bus
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School buses are one of the safest ways for kids to get to school. The most dangerous moment is getting on and off, when children cross the road. Every state makes it illegal to pass a school bus that has stopped with its red lights flashing and stop arm out. Here's what to do.
What the school bus lights mean
| Signal | What it means | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing yellow (amber) lights | The bus is about to stop to load or unload children. | Slow down and get ready to stop. Don't speed up to pass. |
| Flashing red lights + stop arm out | The bus has stopped, and children are getting on or off. | Stop and stay stopped. |
| Lights off, bus moving | Loading is done. | Go slowly and watch for children near the road. |
Some states require you to stop for flashing red lights even if the stop arm isn't fully out. Treat flashing red lights alone as a signal to stop.
Who has to stop?
Every state requires you to stop if you're behind a stopped school bus, on any kind of road. Rules for oncoming traffic depend on the road and the state:
- Two-lane road: traffic in both directions must stop.
- Multi-lane road with no median (painted lines only): traffic behind the bus must stop. Many states also require oncoming traffic to stop, but some don't once a road has a certain number of lanes. Painted lines or a center turn lane usually don't count as a divider.
- Divided highway (raised median, grass strip or barrier): traffic behind the bus must stop. In most states, oncoming traffic doesn't have to stop but should slow down and watch for children. A few states, including New York, require everyone to stop.
How far back should you stop?
Stop well back from the bus so children have room to cross and the driver can see them. Many states, including Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Wisconsin, require at least 20 feet. Others use 10, 15, 25 or 30 feet. Twenty feet is about one and a half car lengths. More space is always better.
When can you go again?
Stay stopped until all of these are true:
- The red lights have stopped flashing.
- The stop arm is folded back in.
- The bus has started moving, or the bus driver or a police officer waves you on.
Even then, go slowly. A child may run back for something they dropped, or cross late.
The danger zone around a bus
The area about 10 feet around a school bus is the "danger zone," where the driver has the hardest time seeing children. Most children hurt around school buses are hit by the bus itself or by a passing car in this zone. Near bus stops:
- Slow down and watch for children walking to or waiting at the stop, especially in the morning and mid-afternoon.
- Be extra careful when backing out of a driveway on a school bus route.
- Never pass a bus on the right side, where children get on and off.
Railroad crossings and school zones
School buses, and many other buses that carry passengers, are required to stop at railroad crossings even when no train is coming. If you're behind a bus, expect it to stop, and leave extra room. In school zones, obey the reduced speed limit when it applies, and always follow a crossing guard's signals.
Penalties for passing a stopped school bus
Penalties vary by state but are serious. They can include large fines (often several hundred dollars and sometimes $1,000 or more), points on your license, license suspension, and criminal charges if someone is hurt. Many school districts now use stop-arm cameras that record the plates of cars that pass illegally.
Related: right-of-way rules · school zone signs
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Play the rules of the road game →Frequently asked questions
Do you have to stop for a school bus on the other side of the road?
On a typical two-lane road, yes, traffic in both directions must stop. On multi-lane roads without a median, it depends on your state. On a divided highway with a median or barrier, most states don't require oncoming traffic to stop. A few, including New York, do.
How far away should you stop from a school bus?
Many states, including Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Wisconsin, require you to stop at least 20 feet from a stopped school bus with flashing red lights. Some states use 10, 15, 25 or 30 feet, so check your state handbook. More room is always safer.
What do flashing yellow lights on a school bus mean?
Flashing yellow (amber) lights mean the bus is getting ready to stop. Slow down and prepare to stop. Don't speed up to get around it.
What is the penalty for passing a stopped school bus?
Penalties vary by state, but they can include fines of several hundred to over a thousand dollars, points on your license, license suspension, and even jail time if someone is hurt. Many districts use stop-arm cameras to catch violators.