May 13, 2025

What To Do When You Encounter A School Bus

It is unlawful for any vehicle to pass the stopped school bus while it is loading or unloading passengers. However, drivers are not sure when school bus is driving from opposite direction or road with 4 or more lanes.

These are the most common situations that drivers will face and what drivers should do.

  1. Two-lane roadway (with and without center turning lane)
    • When school bus stops for passengers, ALL traffic from both directions must stop.
  1. Four-lane or more roadway without median separation.
    • When school bus stops for passengers, ALL traffic from both directions must stop.
  1. Roadway of four lanes or more with a center turning lane.
    • When school bus stops for passengers, ALL traffic from both directions must stop.
  1. Divided highway of four lanes or more with a median separation
    • When school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following the bus must stop.

Above law is for State of Georgia only and may be different from other States.

Georgia Fines & Penalties are below

  • Mandatory Court Appearance
  • Up to $1,000 Fine
  • Up to 6 Points on Driving Record
  • A Conviction Under 21 Years of Age Constitutes License Suspension

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