School Bus Stop Laws for Drivers by State

Georgia

v The driver of a vehicle meeting or overtaking from either direction any school bus stopped on the highway shall stop before reaching the bus when the visual signals indicating that traffic should stop are in operation.

v School buses are authorized to mount video cameras on the vehicle to record violations of this law.

Illinois

v Drivers approaching a school bus from the rear, or from the opposite direction on a 2-lane road, must stop for any school bus receiving or discharging students and may not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or the driver is signaled to proceed by the school bus driver.

v Drivers need not stop if traveling from the opposite direction on a road for 4 or more lanes.

Indiana

v The driver of a vehicle meeting or overtaking from either direction any school bus stopped on the highway shall stop before reaching the bus when the visual signals indicating that traffic should stop are in operation

v School buses are authorized to mount video cameras on the vehicle to record violations of this law.

Kansas

v Vehicles on the far side of a divided highway need not stop.

v It is unlawful to pass from either direction a school bus that is stopped with its lights flashing.

Louisiana

v Vehicles must stop upon meeting, from either direction, a school bus that is stopped for loading or unloading children and displays or has recently displayed a stop signal arm.

v This rule does not apply if the bus is on the opposite roadway of a divided highway.

Missouri

v The driver of a vehicle upon a highway, upon meeting or overtaking from either direction any school bus which has stopped on the highway for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school children and whose driver has given the signal to stop, shall stop the vehicle before reaching such school bus and shall not proceed until such school bus resumes motion, or until signaled by its driver to proceed.

v This does not apply to vehicles approaching on a different roadway, or which is proceeding in the opposite direction on a highway containing four or more lanes of traffic, or which is stopped in a loading zone constituting a part of, or adjacent to, a limited or controlled access highway at a point where pedestrians are not permitted to cross the roadway.

Nevada

v The driver of any vehicle may not overtake or pass, from either direction, a school bus that has stopped and is displaying flashing red lights.

v This does not apply to vehicles traveling on the opposite side of a divided highway.

v A school bus shall not exceed 55 mph when carrying pupils to and from school or any school activity.

Ohio

v Upon meeting or overtaking any bus stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging school children or people with disabilities, all drivers must stop at least 10 feet from the front or rear of the bus and may not proceed until such bus resumes motion or the driver is signaled to proceed by the school bus driver.

v If driving on a 4-lane roadway, the driver need not stop if on the other roadway.

Oregon

v Color is “National School Bus Yellow.” The words “School Bus” are prominently marked on front and rear in letters not less than 8 inches high. When the school bus’ red warning lights are flashing, drivers meeting or overtaking a bus from either direction must stop before reaching the bus and remain stopped until the flashing lights are turned off.

v However, on a divided highway separated by a median strip, one must stop only if on the same side of the road as the school bus.

Texas

v A driver, when approaching from either direction a school bus stopped on the highway to receive or discharge a student, must stop before reaching the school bus when the bus is operating a stop signal.

v The driver may not proceed until the school bus resumes motion, the driver is signaled by the bus driver to proceed, or the visual signal is no longer activated.

v A driver on a highway with separate roadways is not required to stop for a school bus that is on a different roadway. A driver on a controlled-access highway is not required to stop for a school bus that is in a loading zone that is a part of or adjacent to the highway and where pedestrians are not permitted to cross the roadway.

Virginia

v A person shall be guilty of reckless driving who fails to stop when, approaching from any direction (divided highways not included), any school bus which is stopped on any highway or school driveway for the purpose of taking on or discharging children, the elderly, or mentally or physically handicapped persons.

v Drivers must also remain stopped until all such persons are clear of the highway or school driveway and the bus is put in motion.

v Local school systems are authorized to install and operate video-monitoring systems on school buses in order to detect drivers passing stopped school buses.

v School bus drivers may not use cell phones while driving, even if they are equipped with “hands-free” technology.