Minnesota School Bus Stop Law Just Got Simpler: One Rule Drivers Need To Know

ST. PAUL, MN — Minnesota drivers have a new, simpler rule to remember around school buses:

If the red lights are flashing, stop.

Gov. Tim Walz signed the school bus safety bill into law on March 27, and it's already in effect.

The new law says drivers must stop at least 20 feet away from a school bus when the bus is displaying flashing red lights.

That means drivers cannot wait until the stop arm is fully extended before stopping. The red flashing lights are enough.

The change is meant to close a gap in the old law. Previously, state law required drivers to stop when a school bus had both flashing red lights and an extended stop-signal arm.

That created a potential gray area during the short moment when the bus’s red lights were flashing, but the stop arm was not fully out yet.

The new law removes that gray area.

In other words: Do not try to beat the bus. Do not try to time the stop arm. Once the red lights are flashing, drivers must stop.

Simpy put:

• Yellow flashing lights mean: Slow down. The bus is about to stop.
• Red flashing lights mean: Stop. Do not pass the bus.
• No more red flashing lights mean: You can go again.

Drivers must stay stopped until the bus’s red lights are no longer flashing.