As the Commonwealth’s districts and schools prepare for the start of the 2026-2027 school year, the Kentucky Department of Education is reminding drivers of a recent change in state law regarding when drivers must stop for school buses picking up students.
Passed during the 2026 legislative session, House Bill 7 requires drivers on highways with four or more lanes to stop for a bus in the opposite direction with its stop arm extended and lights flashing unless that road is divided by an elevated barrier or unpaved median. Stops are required on all lanes for four-lane highways that include a painted median, paved median or center turn lane. This legislation took effect on July 15.
Drivers in both directions still need to stop on two-lane roads when a school bus is stopped to pick up or drop off students.
“Prior to this legislation, drivers on any road with four or more lanes did not need to stop if a bus had its stop arm extended and was picking up or dropping off students in the opposite direction,” said Kentucky Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher. “Now, drivers must stop unless there is a divider between the sets of lanes, such as a raised concrete barrier or a grass median. This is an important change to help increase the safety of the almost 400,000 students who ride a bus to school each day.”
For families, here are some handy tips for you and your students to ensure they ride the bus safely. Students should:
• Arrive at the bus stop five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
• Have all items in their book bag before they leave home so they do not drop anything.
• Wait at the bus stop in a safe place, 10-12 feet away from the road.
• Keep electronic equipment packed away as they prepare to board. Never use an electronic device or wear ear buds when walking to the bus stop or when getting on or off the bus.
• Either call or return home for help if they miss the bus.
• NEVER chase after the bus.
• NEVER walk to another bus stop.
And as a reminder, families should never drive their student to another bus stop without permission. The bus driver is not expecting them, and your child may not be seen and can be injured.
If a car is caught running a stop arm, the violation may be enforced by a law enforcement agency, a certified peace officer or a school resource officer. A person who violates this law can face a civil penalty of $300 for the first offense.
Kentucky Department of Education