Minnesota lawmakers updated language in a statute to make it clearer when and where drivers are expected to stop for a school bus that is picking up or dropping off children.
Under the old law, drivers were expected to stop at least 20 feet away from any school bus that had it’s red flashing lights on and its stop arm out. However, this created a bit of a gray area, as there were instances where drivers failed to stop at the appropriate distance because although the flashing lights were on, the stop arm was not engaged on the side of the bus. Officials believe the change will ensure drivers don’t pass or continue driving just because the stop arm isn’t yet engaged or it’s just been returned to its inactive position.
“There’s no longer any gray area,” said Lt. Brian Reu of the Minnesota State Patrol. “When a school bus has its flashing red lights on, you stop. Not when the stop arm comes out, not when you think it’s safe, but when the red lights start flashing.”
Simple Bus Stop Law Change
Legislators felt compelled to act after a decision was made by the Minnesota Court of Appeals. A woman successfully appealed a charge in Crow Wing County court, arguing that her conviction be overturned because the stop arm was not engaged when she failed to stop. The appeals court agreed and the conviction was reversed, but legislators wanted to act in order to ensure Minnesota children remain safe.
A revised stop arm law was passed unanimously by the Minnesota House and Senate, and the bill was signed into law by Governor Tim Walz on March 27.
“Under the new law, drivers must stop at least 20 feet away from a school bus when the bus’s red lights are flashing, and that driver must remain stopped until the red lights are no longer flashing,” said Shannon Grabow, Office of Traffic Safety grants program manager. “The stop arm does not need to be fully extended for a violation to occur.”
According to data from law enforcement, more than 2,000 citations were handed out in 2024 and 2025 for failing to stop for a school bus. Last year, Minnesota’s stop-arm camera grant program meant that nearly 8,000 school buses were outfitted with cameras to catch stop arm violators and send that information to authorities, so it seems likely the citation numbers will only increase in 2026.
“These cameras are helping to identify violators and enforce the law more effectively than ever, but enforcement is not the only answer,” said Grabow. “We need the community’s help. Parents and bus drivers play a critical role. If you see a driver passing illegally, call law enforcement, report it, and get the license plate if possible.”
A bus driver-led survey found that roughly 1 in 7 Minnesota bus drivers sees someone go around their school bus illegally on a given day. If a child is crossing the street at that time, it’s an accident waiting to happen.
Be careful when you see school buses out and about. We can help contest a school bus stop arm violation if there truly was a mistake of fact, but otherwise these are tough challenges to win, especially with the updated law. Drive safely and help keep our children safe.
For assistance with criminal matters, connect with Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
