Transportation Code · §545.066

Passing a School Bus

Passing a School Bus (§545.066): key points and worked practice questions for Texas peace officer exam preparation.

Key points

  • Approaching from either direction a school bus stopped on the highway to receive or discharge students
  • Bus displaying flashing red lights or stop signal arm
  • Driver must stop and may not proceed until the bus resumes motion, the driver is signaled by the bus driver, or the lights are off
  • No stop required for a bus on a different (separated) roadway (§545.066(b))

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Worked examples

Worked example 1

Passing a stopped school bus loading or unloading children (with arm extended and lights flashing), under §545.066, is a violation that carries:

  1. A Class C with no enhancement
  2. Substantial fines (up to $1,250 first offense / $2,000 with priors); points on driving record Correct
  3. License suspension for 6 months
  4. No criminal sanction
Why: Drivers must stop when school bus is loading/unloading and may not proceed until the bus moves or signals it is OK to pass. Fines are substantial and may be paired with safety-course requirements.
Statute: Tex. Transp. Code §545.066

Statutory definitions for this topic

School bus stop (§545.066) Tex. Transp. Code §545.066
A driver approaching a stopped school bus loading or unloading children — with arm extended and red lights flashing — must stop and may not proceed until the bus moves or signals it is OK to pass. Substantial fines.