A $500 Mistake: Minnesota’s Strict School Bus Stop-Arm Laws
BY MN CRIME STAFF
Every morning in Minnesota, thousands of drivers face a decision when they see yellow flashing lights ahead: speed up to beat the bus, or slam on the brakes?
Making the wrong choice is expensive. Under Minnesota law, violating a school bus stop arm is not a typical traffic ticket.
It carries a mandatory minimum fine of $500, can escalate to a criminal misdemeanor, and due to a new streamlined reporting system used by bus drivers, it’s easier than ever to get caught.
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The "20-Foot Rule"
The most common misconception drivers have is that they just need to "stop behind the bus." The law is far more specific.
MN Statute 169.444 requires drivers to stop at least 20 feet away from a school bus that is displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop-signal arm.
Two-Lane Roads: Drivers in both directions must stop.
Divided Highways: If there is a physical barrier (like a concrete median or grassy strip), drivers in the opposite direction do not need to stop.
The "Loophole" Court Ruling
In Sept. 2025, the Minnesota Court of Appeals issued a critical ruling that has changed how these cases are defended.
The court overturned a conviction by clarifying the definition of "extended." They ruled that a driver is only required to stop if they are at least 20 feet away when the arm is fully extended.
What this means: If you are already within that 20-foot zone before the arm is completely out, you may not be statistically guilty of a violation. This ruling protects drivers from "trap" situations where a bus driver pops the arm out at the last second.
Legislative Watch: House File 2736
Currently, judges have their hands tied: the $500 fine is mandatory. However, a bill introduced in the 2025 session, House File 2736, proposes eliminating this mandatory minimum.
The Goal: The bill's authors want to give judges discretion to lower fines for "technical" violations where no children were in danger.
The Reality: As of November 2025, this bill has not yet passed. The $500 mandatory fine remains the law of the land.
The "Nuclear" Penalty
While the standard violation is expensive, one specific move will land you in jail.
Passing a school bus on the right-hand side (the door side) is an automatic Gross Misdemeanor.
Penalty: Up to 1 year in jail and a $3,000 fine.
Why: This is where children physically step off the bus. Minnesota courts show zero leniency for this violation.
Caught on Camera
You don't need a police officer behind you to get a ticket. Minnesota allows school bus drivers to write down license plate numbers of violators.
Previously, this was a paperwork hassle. But a new initiative launched in late 2024 has equipped many districts with a centralized digital portal, allowing bus drivers to upload violation data and dashcam video directly to law enforcement. This "express lane" for evidence means a citation can arrive in your mailbox weeks after the incident.
Sources: MN Statute 169.444 (Safety of School Children), MN House File 2736 (2025), MN Court of Appeals Ruling (Sept. 2025) re: "Fully Extended"
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