Transportation Code · §545.066

Passing a School Bus

Passing a School Bus is covered under §545.066 and tested on the TCOLE peace officer licensing exam. Cadets typically encounter this topic under "Child Safety" on practice exams.

To prove this offense, the State must establish each of the following elements: Approaching school bus from any direction (or from behind on any roadway); Bus stopped with red lights flashing and arm extended; Driver must stop and may not proceed until bus moves or signals OK; Heightened fines.

Elements you must prove

  • Approaching school bus from any direction (or from behind on any roadway)
  • Bus stopped with red lights flashing and arm extended
  • Driver must stop and may not proceed until bus moves or signals OK
  • Heightened fines

Practice 1 question on this topic

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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.