Florida drivers who pass a stopped school bus illegally face fines of $200 to $400 and possible license suspensions, according to state traffic law, as students across the country return to classrooms for the 2026-27 school year.
With millions of children now traveling to school by bus or on foot, authorities are reminding motorists in every state, including Florida, that specific rules apply near school buses during morning drop-off and afternoon pickup to protect students' safety.
Staying alert near school buses
Drivers approaching school zones or buses should keep their full attention on the road, avoiding phones or any object that blocks their view, since that awareness helps protect both the driver and the children getting on or off the bus.
Penalties under Florida law
Florida Statute Section 316.172 sets out fines and other serious penalties depending on the violation committed by the driver.
A driver who passes a stopped school bus on the left side faces a minimum fine of $200. A second such violation within five years results in a driver's license suspension of up to one year.
Passing a stopped school bus on the right side, generally considered the more dangerous violation because it is the side where children exit, carries a steeper minimum fine of $400. That offense also requires the driver to appear at a mandatory court hearing and can add four points to the driver's license. A repeat offense within five years leads to a license suspension of up to two years.
Why the rules matter
School buses are required to stop and extend a stop-arm signal while loading or unloading students, and laws requiring other vehicles to stop for them exist across the United States because children crossing near buses are especially vulnerable to being struck by passing traffic. Florida's statute is part of that broader framework of state school-bus safety laws enforced each school year.
