Passing a stopped school bus not only puts children in unnecessary danger — it’s against the law.
In South Carolina, you must always stop on any highway when you are behind a school bus with red flashing lights and the stop arm extended. You must not proceed until the red lights are no longer flashing and the bus begins to move again.
Violations of the South Carolina’s school bus law will be subject to a fine and points against your driver’s license.
School Bus Laws in South Carolina
Please note that South Carolina’s school bus and related laws are not reproduced in their entirety and the wording used is not identical. The summaries below are intended as a public information service and are not a substitute for consulting the South Carolina Code of Laws as amended.
Two-Lane Roads
A two-lane road is a highway or private road with two lanes, having only one traffic lane traveling in each direction. Roads with two lanes and a median separating the lanes are also classified as a two-lane road.
On any two-lane highway or road, all traffic must stop for a school bus that has activated the red flashing lights and remain stopped until the bus disables the red flashing lights. Traffic that is traveling in the same direction of the school bus must also not pass or overtake the bus once the flashing amber lights have been activated and remain stopped until the red flashing lights have been disabled.
After the red and/or amber lights on the school bus have stopped flashing and the stop arm is no longer visible, proceed slowly and watch for children.
Multi-Lane Roads
A multi-lane highway or multi-lane private road is a highway or private road with four or more lanes, having at least two traffic lanes traveling in one direction.
On any four-lane or multi-lane highway, ONLY drivers traveling in the SAME direction as the bus must stop for the entire time a school bus is stopped, preparing to stop with its red and amber lights flashing, or has its stop arm extended.
Vehicles approaching a stopped school bus on the opposite side of a multi-lane road may proceed with caution. This is because bus routes on these roads are designed so that students will not have to cross a multi-lane roadway.
Passenger Loading Zones
Drivers do not have to stop for a school bus when a school bus is in a passenger loading zone completely off the main travel lanes and when pedestrians are not allowed to cross the road. However, please stay alert for children and proceed with caution.
Read more about the state’s school bus laws in the South Carolina Code of Laws Section 56-5-2770.
School Bus Safety
Whether school is in session or not, it is always a good time for everyone – motorists, parents, educators, and students – to review and improve their traffic safety practices. Get more information on school bus safety.