When a school bus or church bus is stopped on a road to pick up or drop off children, with its stop arm out and its signal lights on, drivers approaching from any direction must stop. Stay stopped until the bus has finished loading or unloading and has started moving again.
The divided highway exception
There is one exception. A driver coming from the opposite direction does not have to stop on a highway of four or more lanes that is divided by an elevated barrier or an unpaved median. A change in the law that took effect on July 15, 2026, narrowed this exception. A painted line or a paved center turn lane is not a barrier or an unpaved median, so traffic in both directions must stop on those roads.
Penalties for passing a stopped bus
A first offense carries a fine of $200 to $500, 30 to 60 days in jail, or both. Another offense within three years carries a fine of $300 to $1,000, 60 days to six months in jail, or both. The minimum fine cannot be suspended, and at least six points go on the driver’s record. If a vehicle is seen passing a bus and the driver cannot be identified, the law presumes that the registered owner or lessee was driving. That presumption can be rebutted.
Stop arm cameras
School districts may now enforce the law with cameras mounted on their buses. When a camera records a violation, a notice is mailed to the vehicle’s owner within 30 days, with the images and a sworn statement from a law enforcement officer. The owner owes a civil penalty of $300, or $500 for each later penalty within three years. A camera violation puts no points on a driving record. The owner may contest the notice. If the penalty is not paid or contested within 60 days, the vehicle’s registration can be suspended.
Safety at the bus stop
State highway safety guidance notes that getting to and from the bus is more dangerous than riding it. Children should know these steps:
- Wait away from traffic and do not play near the road.
- Line up away from the road as the bus approaches. Do not step onto the road until the bus has stopped completely and its door has opened.
- To cross in front of the bus, walk at least ten feet ahead along the side of the road until you can see the driver. Wait for the driver’s signal before crossing.
- Look left, right and left again, and keep watching for traffic while you cross.
- Stay away from the rear wheels of the bus at all times.
This article is general information about Kentucky law, not legal advice, and the law may have changed since it was last reviewed in October 2026. For advice about your own situation, talk to a lawyer.