Stopping for School Buses

Key points

1. Stop completely for a stopped school bus with flashing red lights, in your lane, the opposing lane or an intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “No matter where your vehicle is positioned with the bus whether it’s in the same lane of traffic, the opposing lane, or at an intersection, YOU MUST MAKE A COMPLETE STOP!”
   Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 12

2. Do not pass until the bus finishes and begins moving with its red lights off.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “The driver must never attempt to pass in any direction until the school bus has finished receiving or discharging its passengers and begins moving without its red lights flashing.”
   Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 12

3. Oncoming traffic need not stop if a median 20 feet or wider separates it from the bus.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “Drivers are not required to stop if the school bus is approaching along an opposite lane of travel separated by a median twenty (20) feet or more in width.”
   Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 12

4. If the median is less than 20 feet, all lanes of traffic must stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “If the median is less than 20 feet, all lanes of traffic must stop.”
   Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 13

5. Passing a stopped bus is a misdemeanor: $250 to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “Drivers passing a stopped school bus with red lights flashing will be charged with a Misdemeanor and upon conviction, fined a minimum of $250, not to exceed $1,000, up to ninety (90) days in jail, and/or both.”
   Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 13

6. Under Isaac's Law, negligently causing a death while violating the school bus law is a Class C felony.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “A person who violates this law is subject to Class C Felony, for negligent homicide if he or she negligently causes the death of another person.”
   Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 13

7. School buses must stop at all railroad crossings.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “School buses are required to stop at all railroad crossings.”
   Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 12

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Arkansas practice test

1. 1. Besides passenger stops, where must an Arkansas school bus stop?

   1. At every intersection with a traffic signal
   2. At every gas station entrance
   3. At every hospital driveway
   4. At every railroad crossing
   Show answer

   At every railroad crossing. The additional stop required for a school bus is at every railroad crossing. That safety stop is independent of whether children are being loaded or unloaded at that location. The other destinations are not listed as universal stopping points for school buses. A driver following a bus should anticipate the stop, leave space, and avoid treating the absence of children near the roadway as permission to pass.

2. 2. What penalty does Arkansas list for passing a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing?

   1. A misdemeanor with a fine of $250 to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both
   2. A $25 parking ticket
   3. A warning for a first offense
   4. Automatic license revocation for life
   Show answer

   A misdemeanor with a fine of $250 to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both. Drivers passing a stopped school bus with red lights flashing will be charged with a misdemeanor and on conviction fined a minimum of $250, not to exceed $1,000, with up to 90 days in jail, or both. A driver who disobeys the law and causes a death is charged with a felony, and under Isaac's Law negligent homicide is a Class C felony. Stop and stay stopped until the lights go off.

3. 3. What is Isaac's Law in Arkansas?

   1. A law requiring child seats until age 8
   2. A person who negligently causes a death while violating the school bus law faces a Class C felony for negligent homicide
   3. A law banning texting for teens
   4. A law setting school zone speed limits
   Show answer

   A person who negligently causes a death while violating the school bus law faces a Class C felony for negligent homicide. Isaac's Law, section 5-10-105, makes a person who violates the school bus stopping law and negligently causes the death of another person subject to a Class C felony for negligent homicide. A death caused this way is treated far more seriously than the passing offense itself. The ordinary penalty for illegally passing a stopped bus is a misdemeanor with a fine of $250 to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail.

Source: the Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Chapter 1: School Bus Law and Rules. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.