The important points
- Vehicles behind a school bus or approaching from the opposite direction must stop while the bus has its stop sign extended and amber lights flashing.
- On a roadway separated by a median that traffic cannot cross, vehicles in the opposite direction of the bus do not need to stop.
- The penalties for failing to stop for a school bus vary by province, but always include a fine and driver’s licence demerit points.
School bus stop laws
The most important law about driving near school buses is that vehicles have to stop when the bus indicates that it’s picking up or dropping off passengers. However, specific rules differ depending on where you’re driving.
In Canada, transportation laws are spread amongst all three levels of government: federal legislation, provincial legislation, and municipal bylaws.2 Laws affecting drivers around school buses are set by federal or provincial governments; municipalities and school districts, meanwhile, may enact rules regarding the bus itself and its occupants, rather than the traffic around the bus.
School buses stop frequently to pick up or drop off children, who may have to cross the road to access the bus. They often stop in spots that don’t have space or infrastructure for such stops, so it’s important for drivers to pay attention near school buses and follow the rules.
“One of the reasons why school bus transportation, as we know, is the safest way for students to get to and from school is because of the number of regulations that surround school buses,” said Dr. Kristin Poland, Deputy Director of the US National Transportation Safety Board’s Office of Highway Safety. “So school buses have to be bright yellow. We know that they are large vehicles. They have required lighting systems on them. There are also very extensive requirements for how the bus is constructed, including roof strength.
“And then there are other rules surrounding how people operate vehicles around the school bus.”3
Recognizing school bus signals
Every school bus is equipped with flashing amber and red lights, as well as one or more folding stop signs on the driver’s side.
When the bus is about to stop to let students on or off, its amber lights will begin flashing. When the amber lights are flashing, drivers should prepare to stop. This includes drivers behind the bus or approaching from the opposite direction, unless there is a road median (as we’ll explain later).
Once the bus has stopped, the red lights will flash, and the stop sign will extend. All school buses across Canada are required to use flashing lights and stop signs.4
Drivers behind and opposite a school bus must stop when the bus flashes its amber or red lights and extends the stop sign. They must remain stopped until the flashing red lights are turned off and the stop sign is retracted.
In some cases, it’s possible the bus driver may temporarily stay put after letting kids on or off. Providing the flashing lights are off and the sign is retracted, you may pass the bus if the road ahead is clear. Be very aware of your surroundings and take extra precaution that there are no pedestrians hidden by the bus.
While you have to stop for a school bus, how far behind or ahead of it depends on your province. For example, you must stop five metres away in some provinces including Saskatchewan, Quebec, and British Columbia. Drivers must stop 20 metres away in others, including Ontario, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Know the distance requirement in your province.
Once it’s safely stopped, the bus will let students on or off. Some students may cross the road at this time. That’s why traffic in both directions must stop — and remain stopped until the bus driver has shut off the flashing lights and retracted the stop sign. Drivers may then proceed, but need to pay extra attention to students who may still be in the area.
The only exception when stopping for a school bus is when the road is divided by a median — a physical barrier between traffic directions, such as a wall, or a concrete or grass strip that traffic cannot cross. In this case, traffic coming toward a bus on the opposite side of the median doesn’t have to stop. Traffic travelling in the same direction as the bus has to stop.5 6
Related articles
Provincial penalties for failing to stop for a school bus
Like many traffic violations, the consequences for failing to stop for a school bus vary by province. But no matter where you are, you can expect to pay a serious fine and receive a few demerit points on your driver’s licence. In most cases, repeat offenses result in greater penalties.
| Province |
Fine |
Demerit points |
| British Columbia7 8 |
$368 |
3 |
| Alberta9 |
$567 |
6 |
| Saskatchewan10 11 |
$360 |
4 |
| Manitoba12 13 |
$672 |
-2 |
| Ontario5 |
$500 – 2,000 |
6 |
| Quebec14 |
$200 – 300 |
9 |
Tips to safely drive around a school bus
Whether driving near a school bus or passing through a school zone, drivers should be especially vigilant and follow these safety tips:
In school zones
- Drive slowly, strictly obeying the posted school zone speed limit (usually 30 km/h).
- Stop for crossing guards, and obey their directions.
- Avoid overtaking other vehicles, U-turns, and other maneuvers that children and other drivers may find unpredictable.
- When stopping at a crosswalk, stop behind the stop line — don’t encroach into the crosswalk or intersection.
- Avoid distracted driving (even more so than usual).
Near school buses
- Be prepared to stop at any time, and leave yourself plenty of time and space to do so.
- Know your province’s required distance when stopping in front of or behind a school bus, which leaves children enough space to cross the road if necessary. When in doubt, stop farther back rather than closer.
- Don’t move your vehicle until the bus driver has shut off the flashing lights and retracted the stop sign, and you’ve confirmed it’s clear to proceed.
- Pay extra attention after a school bus stop. You know for a fact there are children nearby at that time.
