Under Florida law (Section 316.172, Florida Statutes), drivers are required to come to a complete stop when approaching a school bus displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. You must remain stopped until the bus withdraws the stop signal and the lights stop flashing.

On a two-way street, traffic in both directions must stop, regardless of which side of the road you are on.

The only exception applies to drivers traveling on the opposite side of a highway that is divided by a raised median or physical barrier. In that situation, vehicles on the opposite side are not required to stop.

Failing to comply with Florida’s school bus stop law can result in significant penalties and more importantly, it puts children at serious risk. If you have questions about a citation or traffic charge, speaking with an experienced Florida traffic defense attorney can help you understand your options.

Do You Get Points for Passing a School Bus in Florida?

Passing a stopped school bus is a serious traffic violations under Florida law. Yet many drivers are unclear about when they must stop, whether points are added to their license, and what the actual penalties are.

Understanding how Florida handles school bus violations can help drivers avoid costly mistakes and long-term consequences.

Florida Law on Stopping for School Buses

Florida Statute 316.172 requires drivers to stop when a school bus displays flashing red lights and extends its stop arm. Drivers must remain stopped until the stop arm is withdrawn and the flashing red lights are turned off.

The obligation to stop depends on the type of roadway. On a two-way street or an undivided highway, traffic in both directions must stop. This means vehicles approaching the bus from either side are legally required to remain stopped. On a divided highway, drivers traveling in the opposite direction are not required to stop but only if the road is separated by a raised median, a physical barrier, or at least five feet of unpaved space. If no true divider exists, even on a multi-lane road, vehicles in both directions must stop. This distinction is one of the most common sources of confusion for Florida drivers.

Do You Get Points for Passing a School Bus?

Whether points are added to your Florida driver’s license depends largely on how the citation was issued.

If the violation is captured by a camera mounted on the school bus and mailed to the registered owner, it is generally treated as a civil violation. In most cases, no points are assessed against the driver’s license. However, fines still apply.

If a law enforcement officer personally witnesses the violation and issues a traffic citation, it is treated as a moving violation. In that situation, four points are typically added to the driver’s license. A court hearing is required, and a driver improvement course may be ordered. Insurance consequences may also follow.

The difference between a camera citation and an officer-issued citation can significantly affect the outcome. Florida law imposes substantial penalties for passing a stopped school bus.

A standard violation carries a minimum fine of $265, four points on the driver’s license (for officer-issued tickets) and a required driver improvement course. If a driver passes the bus on the side where children enter or exit, the minimum can increase substantially. Courts often treat this as an aggravated safety violation due to the heightened risk involved.

Why the Details Matter

Small roadway details often determine whether a driver was legally required to stop. Whether a road qualifies as “divided,” whether the stop arm was fully extended, and whether the red lights were properly activated can all affect how the law applies.

Additionally, accumulating four points can increase insurance premiums and move a driver closer to a license suspension under Florida’s point system.

For drivers who rely on their license for work including commercial drivers the impact can be even more significant.

Traffic laws surrounding school buses are strictly enforced in Florida for obvious safety reasons. However, the technical distinctions in the statute are important, and understanding them can help drivers stay compliant and protect their driving record.

Attorney Lee Viacava Can Help With Your Traffic Violation

If you were arrested or issued a notice to appear as a result of a traffic violation, contact the Lee Viacava Law Firm to discuss your options. Call 239-672-8934 or email [email protected] to schedule a consultation.