Minnesota strengthens school bus stop law, requires drivers to stop for flashing red lights

Minnesota lawmakers strengthened a law this legislative session requiring vehicles to come to a complete stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing.

Previously, the law allowed motorists to legally pass a school bus if the stop arm was not fully extended.

“Any confusion in the law opens the doorway for drivers to make last-minute decisions that could potentially risk the lives of students simply trying to get to school,” said Kathryn Forbord, president of the Minnesota School Bus Operators Association, in a May 1 press release.

Now, the law will require motorists to stop regardless of the position of the stop arm and to stop 20 feet from a school bus with its red lights flashing.

“I see this as a really positive move to strengthen that law so that we can enforce it with much more clarity and rigidness,” Cook County Schools ISD 166 Superintendent Chris Lindholm said.

The existing penalties will remain unchanged: motorists who violate the updated law will face a misdemeanor charge and a $500 fine.

“Failing to stop for a school bus is a violation we take seriously,” said Lt. Brian Reu with the Minnesota State Patrol. “It’s not just a ticket — it’s a decision that can lead to serious injury or worse.”

In 2025, Minnesota law enforcement wrote more than 2,000 stop-arm violation citations, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

In Cook County, Lindholm said the local bus drivers often see stop-arm violations.

“It’s far more prevalent than people might think, and it really, really is scary for our drivers,” Lindholm said. “They care so much about the kids to see that happening.”

The violations occur not only on Highway 61, but within city limits, Lindholm said. “So the law was tightened up. I’m happy about that.”

Watch a Minnesota Department of Public Safety video about the new school bus law change here.

Kalli Hawkins May 8, 2026