Tennessee Officials Remind Drivers of School Bus Safety Laws as New School Year Begins

As students across Tennessee return to school, state and local authorities are reminding drivers to observe school bus safety laws to ensure children can travel to and from school safely.

According to Tennessee law, it is both dangerous and illegal to pass a stopped school bus that is loading or unloading students when its red lights are flashing and stop arm is extended.

Drivers should be aware of the following rules:

• On two-lane roads or multi-lane roads without a physical median, all vehicles—regardless of direction—must stop when a school bus is picking up or dropping off children.
• On divided highways with a physical median or unpaved space, only vehicles traveling in the same direction as the school bus are required to stop.

Motorists are also required to stop at least 25 feet away from the bus and remain stopped until the bus resumes motion, the stop sign is retracted, or the bus driver signals that it is safe to proceed.

Violating Tennessee’s school bus stop law is a serious offense. It is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, which may result in fines, license suspension, or even jail time. Many school districts have equipped buses with stop-arm cameras to capture footage of vehicles that illegally pass buses, leading to increased enforcement.

Law enforcement agencies across the state are stepping up patrols in school zones and along bus routes, especially during pickup and drop-off times. Drivers are urged to remain alert, avoid distractions, and use extra caution in neighborhoods and near schools.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security encourages all Tennesseans to review the law and help protect students throughout the school year. For more information, visit www.tn.gov/safety.