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.

A violation is a misdemeanor with a fine of at least $500. Passing on the door side, or passing while a child is outside the bus, makes it a gross misdemeanor.

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.

Minnesota Statutes section 169.444 requires a driver approaching a stopped school bus that is displaying flashing red lights to stop at least 20 feet away and not move until the red lights stop flashing. Flashing amber lights warn that the red lights are about to come on. Since March 28, 2026, the stop-signal arm is no longer part of the rule.

  • 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.

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 2025 Court Ruling and the 2026 Fix

In September 2025 the Minnesota Court of Appeals reversed a conviction, holding that under the law as then written a driver had to stop only once the stop-signal arm was fully extended. In March 2026 the Legislature took the arm out of the rule, so for violations on or after March 28, 2026, the flashing red lights alone require the stop.

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 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.

Failing to stop and passing a school bus on the right-hand door side is a gross misdemeanor. So is failing to stop and passing while a child is outside on the street or the sidewalk next to it.

  • Penalty: Up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.

  • Why: This is where children physically step off the bus.

Penalty: Up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.

Why: This is where children physically step off the bus.

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.

The vehicle’s owner can also be charged with a petty misdemeanor for a violation committed with the vehicle, unless another person is convicted for that violation or the vehicle was stolen.

Sources: MN Statute 169.444 (Safety of School Children), MN House File 2736 (2025), MN Court of Appeals Ruling (Sept. 2025) re: “Fully Extended”