Stop rules, school buses and fleeing police

Key points

1. At a stop sign, stop before the marked stop line, or before the crosswalk.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “If there is a marked stop line, stop before the line. If there is a pedestrian crosswalk, stop before entering the crosswalk.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 41

2. School bus yellow lights start at least 100 feet before a stop in zones of 35 mph or less, and 300 feet in faster zones.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “Bus drivers will activate flashing yellow lights at least 100 feet before a school bus stops in a speed zone of 35 mph or less. They will activate the lights at least 300 feet before it stops in a speed zone of more than 35 mph.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 41

3. Stop at least 20 feet from a school bus with flashing red lights.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “When you see a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing, you must stop your vehicle at least 20 feet from the bus.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 42

4. You must stop for flashing red bus lights even if the stop arm does not swing out.

   Source: Handbook p. 1

   “Reminder: You must stop for flashing red school bus lights even if the stop arm doesn't swing out.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 1

5. On a divided roadway, you need not stop if the bus is on the other side of the divider.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “If you are driving on a divided roadway, you do not need to stop for a school bus with red lights flashing if it is on the opposite side of the divider.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 42

6. Failing to stop is a misdemeanor with a fine of at least $500 and loss of driving privileges.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “If you don't, you can be charged with a misdemeanor. If convicted, you must pay a fine of at least $500 and lose your driving privileges.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 42

7. Fleeing a police officer is a felony: up to three years and one day in prison, a fine up to $5,000, or both.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “If you do so, you may be sentenced to up to three years and one day in prison, fined up to $5,000 or both.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 46

8. If a death occurs while fleeing: up to 10 years in prison, a fine up to $20,000, or both.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “If a death occurs: You may be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, fined up to $20,000 or both.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 46

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Minnesota practice test

1. 1. A school bus's red lights are flashing, but its stop arm does not swing out. What must a Minnesota driver do?

   1. Stop at least 20 feet from the bus
   2. Pass slowly because the arm failed
   3. Stop only if a child is visible
   4. Continue until the driver sees a hand signal
   Show answer

   Stop at least 20 feet from the bus. Flashing red bus lights require a stop even when the mechanical stop arm does not extend. The vehicle must be stopped at least 20 feet from the bus, so a failed arm is not permission to pass. Waiting for a visible child or a hand signal adds conditions that the rule does not require. Treat the red lights as the controlling warning, stop at the specified distance, and remain there until the lights stop flashing. The same duty applies whether you are facing the front or the back of the bus.

2. 2. When a school bus displays flashing red lights on a divided highway, which traffic is excepted from stopping?

   1. Traffic approaching behind the bus on the same roadway
   2. Traffic following the bus in its lane
   3. Traffic traveling in the opposite direction on the other side of the divider
   4. Every vehicle because the roadway is divided
   Show answer

   Traffic traveling in the opposite direction on the other side of the divider. The school-bus exception is narrow: on a divided highway, a driver traveling in the opposite direction is not required to stop for the bus on the other side of the divider. Vehicles behind the bus or approaching in its direction remain subject to the red-light stop requirement. Division of the roadway does not excuse every vehicle. Identify which side of the physical divider your vehicle occupies before deciding whether the exception applies.

3. 3. What penalty does Minnesota impose for fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle when no one is hurt?

   1. A $100 ticket
   2. A 30 day suspension
   3. A misdemeanor with a warning
   4. A felony with up to three years and one day in prison, a fine up to $5,000, or both
   Show answer

   A felony with up to three years and one day in prison, a fine up to $5,000, or both. Fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle is a felony; you may be sentenced to up to three years and one day in prison, fined up to $5,000, or both. Under current Minnesota law, if someone is killed while fleeing the penalty rises to 40 years and $80,000, great bodily harm brings 7 years and $14,000, and substantial bodily harm 5 years and $10,000. Pull over promptly when signaled.

Source: the Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 4: Sharing the road. 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.