• Meltzer & Bell
•   ›  
• Driving Violations
•   ›  
• Passing a School Bus

Citations for Passing a School Bus

Failing to Stop for a School Bus in South Florida

Florida Law requires a driver to come to a stop when approaching a school bus that has its stop sign extended and is displaying its flashing red lights. Florida Statute Section 316.172, FS provides that:

• Drivers who pass a school bus illegally on the left side commit a moving violation, punishable under Chapter 318, FS.
• Drivers who pass a school bus illegally on the right side where students enter or exit the bus commit a moving violation, punishable under Chapter 318, FS and are subject to a mandatory hearing.

Attorney for Passing a School Bus Ticket in Palm Beach County

If you received a citation for passing a school bus then contact a traffic ticket attorney at Meltzer & Bell, P.A.. Our attorneys represent clients on civil traffic citations such as passing a school bus locations throughout Palm Beach County and Broward County.

We help clients on traffic infractions at the Main Courthouse in West Palm Beach and the South County Traffic Court in Delray Beach, as well as the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale and the South Regional Courthouse in Hollywood.

Call (561) 557-8686 today.

Info on Failure to Stop for a School Bus Citations in Palm Beach Area

• Penalties for Passing a School Bus
• Driver Improvement Course Under Florida Statute Section 322.0261
• Information on Passing a School Bus Infraction

Back to top

Penalties for Passing a School Bus

Under Florida Statute Section 318.18, the penalties for a violation depend on a variety of factors including whether the pass occurred on the left side or right side of the bus and the number of prior convictions.

Pass on the left side of the bus:

1st offense:

• A fine of $165.

2nd or subsequent offense (within 5 years):

• A fine of $165; and
• License suspension for 90 days to 6 months.

Pass on the right side of the bus:
1st offense:

• A fine of $265.

2nd or subsequent offense (within 5 years):

• A fine of $265;
• License suspension for 180 days to one year; and 
• A mandatory hearing.

Back to top

Driver Improvement Course Under Florida Statute Section 322.0261

If convicted of passing the school bus, the driver must, in addition to any other penalties, attend a driver improvement course approved by the Florida DHSMV. If the driver fails to complete the driver improvement course within 90 days after receiving notice and provide proof to the clerk's office in Palm Beach County or Broward County, then his or her driver license will be canceled until the course is successfully completed.

As provided in Florida Statute Section 322.27, for any violation of Florida Statute Section 316.72, 4 points will be assessed against the driver's license.

Passing a Stopped School Bus Causing Death or Injury

For infractions causing death, the Cameron Mayhew Act resulted in changes to Florida Statute Section 316.027 provides:

(4)(a) In addition to any other civil, criminal, or administrative penalty imposed, a person whose commission of a noncriminal traffic infraction or a violation of this chapter or s. 1006.66 causes or results in the death of another person may be required by the court to serve 120 community service hours in a trauma center or hospital that regularly receives victims of vehicle accidents, under the supervision of a registered nurse, an emergency room physician, or an emergency medical technician pursuant to a voluntary community service program operated by the trauma center or hospital.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), in addition to any other civil, criminal, or administrative penalty imposed, a person whose commission of a violation of s. 316.172(1)(a) or (b) causes or results in serious bodily injury to or death of another person shall be required by the court to:

1. Serve 120 community service hours in a trauma center or hospital that regularly receives victims of vehicle accidents, under the supervision of a registered nurse, an emergency room physician, or an emergency medical technician pursuant to a voluntary community service program operated by the trauma center or hospital.

2. Participate in a victim’s impact panel session in a judicial circuit if such a panel exists, or if such a panel does not exist, attend a department-approved driver improvement course relating to the rights of vulnerable road users relative to vehicles on the roadway as provided in s. 322.0261(2).

For infractions causing death, the Cameron Mayhew Act also resulted in changes to Florida Statute 318.18 as follows:

(5)(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, $1,500 for a violation of s. 316.172(1)(a) or (b) that causes or results in serious bodily injury to or death of another. The person may enter into a payment plan with the clerk of court pursuant to s. 28.246. In addition to this penalty, the department shall suspend the driver license of the person for not less than 1 year.

Points for Infractions of Causing Death or Serious Bodily Injury When Passing School Bus?

The Cameron Mayhew Act made changes to Florida Statute Section 322.27 as follows:

(d) The point system shall have as its basic element a graduated scale of points assigning relative values to convictions of the following violations:

4. Passing a stopped school bus:

a. Not causing or resulting in serious bodily injury to or death of another--4 points.

b. Causing or resulting in serious bodily injury to or death of another--6 points.

Back to top

Information on Passing a School Bus Infraction

Florida’s School Bus Stop Law - Read more about the importance of following all traffic laws in or around a school zone.

School Bus Laws & Penalties In Florida - Learn more about the penalties for illegally passing a school bus or speeding in a school zone.

Back to top

Finding a Lawyer for Passing a School Bus Citation in Fort Lauderdale

If you received a citation for passing a school bus on either the left side or a right side then the experienced attorneys of Meltzer & Bell, P.A. stand ready to fight on your behalf.

We have offices located in Fort Lauderdale and Miami. With thorough knowledge of Florida's court systems, we know how to effectively fight the ticket.

To schedule your free consultation regarding your situation, call (561) 557-8686 today.

This article was last updated on Wednesday, November 21, 2018.