Updated—Although not yet implemented, effective November 6, 2024: New York’s DMV announced that it would be extending the look-back period for moving-violation points from 18 months to 24 months, meaning points would remain on your record longer and increase the likelihood of hitting suspension thresholds. Additionally, when this law is placed in effect, illegally passing a stopped school bus (VTL § 1174[a]) will result in 8 points (up from 5), and trigger a Driver Responsibility Assessment Fee (DRAF) of approximately $450 or more. As of 9/1/25, this new law has not been implemented.
We’re often asked about New York school bus violations under VTL § 1174(a) which law is aggressively enforced to protect children entering and exiting school buses.
How much is a ticket for passing a school bus?
- Before Nov 6, 2024: First-time violations carried 5 points and a $250–$400 fine. Second convictions ranged from $600 to $750, and a third ranged from $750 to $1,000.
- Now: The base fine structure remains, but the violation carries 8 points and triggers the DRAF, starting at roughly $450+, depending on your total points.
Note: The standard $88 or $93 New York State surcharge on moving violations still applies. If you hit 6 or more points within an 18-month period, you are subject to a Driver Responsibility Assessment Fee (on top of the fine and surcharge) in the amount of $300 plus $75 per point over six. You can pay this fee in one payment or in one-third payments over 3 years.
Additional consequences:
- License revocation: A conviction within three years of another may result in a 6-month license revocation, plus reinstatement fees.
- Jail time: Judges can still impose up to 30 days in jail for a first offense, and up to 180 days for repeat violations even though such sentences are rare.
- Insurance impact: While a single school bus violation will raise your premium if your driving record is otherwise clean, a second moving violation conviction can result in your rates being increased. A Driver Safety Class (PIRP) can reduce insurance rates by 10%, and also deduct up to 4 points from your driving record total, but only for violations aging within 18 months.
Summary – Key Updates
| Violation & Date | Points Assigned | Base Fine | DRAF / Fees | Other Consequences |
| Pre-Nov 6, 2024 – 1st offense | 5 points | $250–$400 | Surcharge + DRAF if ≥6 pts | Possible jail up to 30 days |
| Post-Nov 6, 2024 – 1st offense | 8 points | $250–$400 | ~$450+ DRAF | Same jail possibility, extended look-back period |
| Repeat offenses (within 3 yrs) | 8 points | $600–$1,000 | Higher cumulative DRAF | Up to 6-month revocation; insurance hikes |
Takeaway: The penalties for passing a stopped school bus are significant. Always stop for school buses (regarding if you are overtaking or passing) and, if you are issued a traffic ticket, feel free to contact us for a free consultation.
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247 Comments. Leave new
2 questions if I may, #1 My wife was passing a school bus that turned on the red lights while she was in between the front and rear signs, and she received a ticket. The stop was on a service rd for the Long Island Expressway. She kept going because she thought it would be unsafe to just jam on her breaks on the service rd. Is this worth fighting? #2 She was driving my car, how is it legal to charge me with the fine? If someone kills somebody with my hammer, would I go to jail? By paying this, I am either admitting guilt or if fighting, found guilty, does it go on my driving record?
Kevin,
Yes, it is not worth it for your wife to fight her school bus camera ticket. Camera tickets are near-impossible to beat (watch the photos or videos to see what she did). Further, they do NOT carry points and do not affect your auto insurance rates.
It is legal to charge you for your wife’s actions because this camera ticket does not affect your driving record. It is akin to a parking ticket where the owner is responsible for the offense.
Matthew Weiss
Is there a sight to watch these videos?
Justin,
Try this one: https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02036
Matthew Weiss
I was going to work a month ago and I was stopped by a bus with several cars ahead of me. I was going south bound the bus was going north bound. Traffic started to flow and the bus proceeded to turn on its yellow lights while pulling over onto to the shoulder of a two lane road. Traffic continued to flow both ways and my assumption was that the bus had mechanical issues. I see this bus all the time and doesn’t regularly stop there and in that way. When I got to the nose of the bus with the nose of my car, the red stop sign came out. I didn’t have time to stop as I would have stopped around half way around the length of the bus. Just got a ticket for this in the mail. The bus had a camera which shows clearly shows the bus was on the shoulder. I plan on taking this to court but was wondering if I need an attorney for this and if found guilty would I get points on my license? I plan on taking some video of this bus to show that this wasn’t a normal thing this bus does. Do you also think I stand a chance with the judge?
Ryan,
A school bus ticket issued by a police officer carries 5 points. However, if you received it in the mail, then it sounds like a camera school bus ticket which carries 0 points. With camera tickets, there should be photographic evidence of you violating the law. You want to examine that before deciding whether to take it to trial. Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
Its been 3 years since i had a ticket for non stop for a school bus but i still have 5 points on my record. Will it go away?
Thanks!!
Denis,
Points only last for 18 months from the date of offense.
With that said, the conviction remains on your record for life.
Matthew Weiss
Please help me, I got a violation of passing the bus when the bus is full stop and no red lights flashing and bus seem empty, look like it just parking, should I fight for it? Thanks
Jean,
You should definitely fight it. Under New York law, the bus must be displaying its lights and stop sign for you to ilegally pass it.
Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
Hello, this morning I was on my way to work in East New York. I work in a school. As I was passing a school, a large bus turned in front of a car in front of me and the car left because the bus did not use its yellow lights. I also passed, and when I was passing, he signaled for the school bus to stop. A policeman stopped me and gave me a citation. But I didn’t stop the car that passed in front of me? I don’t know what to do. Is this the first time the police have stopped me? That I have to do?
Joselyn,
The failure to stop the other drive is not a good defense. Police officers cannot stop everyone.
However, we still recommend that you plead not guilty. This is the only way to possibly obtain a more favorable outcome.
Matthew Weiss
Hi,
Would the 5 points apply on my license if I received the ticket for passing a school bus through their cameras?
Aman,
No, you do not get points on your NY driver’s license for any NY camera ticket.
Matthew Weiss
Matthew,
Thank you for getting back to me. Appreciate it!
Amandeep Kaur
Sure thing!
Does the law apply when on a Highway with a divider?
Gerald Borriello,
I do not think so but have never heard of a school bus picking up or discharging passengers on a highway.
Matthew Weiss
The record of unlawfully failing to stop for a school bus will also make it impossible to get any job that requires a clean driving record and will send auto insurance rates skyrocketing for most motorists who are convicted of this violation.
Edenfantasys,
The school bus laws have been in effect for years.
Matthew Weiss
Just received citation 1174A (failure to stop for a school bus) in Staten Island, NY. I was proceeding north, and the bus was in the southbound lane. The school bus had just pulled over while I passed it – by the time I cleared the rear of the bus, its flashers went on and its stop sign was extended. Since I had passed the bus, I proceeded on my route only to be pulled over a few blocks away. When the cop approached to basically berate me, I explained that I had already passed the bus when its signal system went on – I was not “meeting or overtaking”, as the law reads. The cop argued that I was in the wrong, even though he did agree that I had passed the school bus when its signal system turned on. Do I have a defense in regard to the position/location of my vehicle? Or, should I just plead Guilty and spend my time in a defensive drivers class to reduce these points?
Jack,
You should fight it. If the officer testifies that you passed the bus BEFORE its lights illuminated and stop signs extended, you can win. Meanwhile, the best practice is not to pass a school bus when it starts to stop. The safety of children is more important than rushing passed it.
Good luck!
Matthew Weiss