TENNESSEE SCHOOL BUS LAWS

On a two-lane highway everyone stops.

 

On a four-lane highway with a center turn lane everyone stops.

 

If a four-lane highway has a divider, like a median or an unpaved area at least 5 feet wide, traffic in the opposite direction can proceed with caution. Only traffic behind the bus must stop

MEETING A SCHOOL BUS:
Any driver meeting a school bus or church bus on which the red stop warning signal
lights are flashing should reduce his speed and bring the vehicle to a complete stop
while the bus stop signal arm is extended. The vehicle must remain stopped until
the stop arm is pulled back and the bus resumes motion.

OVERTAKING A SCHOOL BUS:
Any driver approaching a school bus or church bus from the rear shall not pass the
bus when red stop warning signal lights are flashing. The vehicle must come to a
complete stop when the bus is stopped. The vehicle must remain stopped until the
stop arm is pulled back and the bus resumes motion.
School Bus Warning Lights:
It is illegal to pass a school bus that has stopped to load or unload students. Never
pass on the right side of the bus, as this is where the children enter or exit. This is
illegal and can have tragic results. You must stop and remain stopped until:
• The bus has started moving, OR
• The driver motions for you to proceed, OR
• The visual signals are no longer activated such as the red
flashing lights go off and/or the stop arm is pulled back.
YELLOW FLASHING LIGHTS:
When the yellow lights on the front and back of the bus are flashing the bus is
preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and
prepare to stop their vehicles.
RED FLASHING LIGHTS:
When the red lights are flashing, and the stop arm is extended this indicates that
the bus HAS stopped and that children are now getting on or off the bus. Motorists
must stop their cars and wait until the red flashing lights are turned off, the stop
arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they start driving again.
When a school bus is stopped at an intersection to load and unload children,
drivers from ALL directions are required to stop until the bus resumes motion (as
shown by the red vehicles in the diagram at right). It is a Class A misdemeanor, and
the driver can be fined between $250 and $1,000 for not stopping for a stopped
school bus. When driving on a highway with separate roadways for traffic in
opposite directions, divided by median space or a barrier not suitable for vehicular
traffic, the driver need not stop, but should proceed with caution. A turn lane in the
middle of a four-lane highway is NOT considered a barrier, but a fifth lane that is
suitable for vehicular traffic. Drivers meeting a stopped school bus on this type of
road would be required to stop in both directions.