Passing A School Bus
G.S. 20-217 — a full stop until the bus moves, a Class 1 misdemeanor and a $500 minimum fine
In North Carolina, when a school bus is stopped for passengers with its stop arm out or red lights flashing, a driver approaching from any direction on the same street, highway or public vehicular area comes to a full stop and stays stopped until the stop arm is withdrawn, the red lights are off, and the bus has started to move.
The divided road exception. A driver going the opposite way on a road divided into two roadways by an intervening space or a physical barrier need not stop. A center left turn lane counts as that space only on a road of at least four lanes.
| The violation | The class |
|---|---|
| The violationNot stopping | The classClass 1 misdemeanor, with a minimum fine of $500 and no prayer for judgment continued |
| The violationWillfully not stopping and striking someone | The classClass I felony, with a minimum fine of $1,250 |
| The violationWillfully not stopping and striking someone who dies | The classClass H felony, with a minimum fine of $2,500 |
A second misdemeanor within a three-year period revokes the license for one year, a Class I felony for two years, and a Class H felony for three years. A third misdemeanor, or a second felony, revokes it permanently.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.S. 20-217 — Motor vehicles to stop for properly marked and designated school buses
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Carolina attorney.