PENNSYLVANIA’S
SCHOOL BUS STOPPING LAW
Keeping Children Safe
PENNSYLVANIA’S SCHOOL BUS STOPPING LAW
F When you meet or overtake a stopped school bus with red signal lights flashing and stop arm activated, you
MUST STOP.
F When approaching a school bus with flashing amber lights, SLOW DOWN and be PREPARED TO STOP.
F When you approach an intersection where a school bus is stopped with red signal lights flashing and stop arm
activated, you MUST STOP.
F You MUST STOP at least ten (10) feet away from the school bus.
F You MUST WAIT until the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm has been withdrawn before moving.
F DO NOT MOVE until all the children have reached a place of safety.
KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
F 1.5 million children are transported on Pennsylvania roads each day.
F These children are transported approximately 400 million miles to school each year.
F To further promote safety, school vehicles may be equipped with a yellow flashing or revolving light.
F Every year, children are needlessly injured or killed by drivers passing stopped school buses.
LOADING OR
UNLOADING
MUST
STOP
MUST
STOP
You MUST STOP at an
You MUST STOP on roadways intersection, whether it is or is You MUST STOP on
with or without painted lines. not marked with a stop sign. roadways with
All traffic MUST stop. ridged/grooved dividers.
Our Children’s Safety Is In Your Hands.
PUB 97 (04/24)
SCHOOL BUS STOPPING LAW
PENALTIES
The penalties for violating Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Laws are as follows:
F Criminal Penalties -- Penalties listed below apply for citations issued by law
enforcement for passing a school bus with red lights flashing and stop arm
activated.
• 60-Day Driver’s License Suspension, Five (5) points on your driving record,
and a $250 Fine.
F Civil Penalties -- Penalty listed below applies when you are issued a violation for
passing a school bus equipped with an automated side stop signal arm
enforcement system.
• $300 fine, No effect to your driving record (no suspension and no points).
SEPARATE ROADWAYS
Drivers may proceed on a highway with clearly defined dividing sections or physical barriers
providing separate roadways. This only applies when the school bus is on the opposite side of the road.
If In Doubt, STOP!
Physical barriers include concrete Clearly indicated dividing sections
median barriers, metal median include trees or shrubs, rocks or
barriers, guide rails, etc. boulders, a stream, grass, etc.
Our Children’s Safety Is In Your Hands.
For more information on Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law, including an animated graphic demonstrating when you
must stop, visit www.penndot.pa.gov/safety and click on "Traffic Safety & Driver Topics" and then "School Bus Safety".
