Passing a stopped school bus can be costly and impact your driving record.
If you receive a ticket for passing a stopped school bus, you should consider disputing it with legal help of a traffic attorney.
Why Hiring a Traffic Attorney for Passing a Stopped School Bus Matters
The penalties for passing a stopped school bus are serious.
The fine alone is $695, making it one of the most expensive traffic violations in California.
However, that’s not all. The DMV will add one Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS) point to your record.
Once your insurance company sees that point, they could take away your 20% good driver’s discount and add a 10-12%risk surcharge.
That means your premiums could skyrocket by an average of $850 annually for three years for full coverage, which most new car owners are obligated to have.
Insurance companies calculate risk by considering accident potential and liability costs.
If a child were injured due to you passing a stopped school bus, the consequences could be severe. Obviously, that is why it is such a serious charge to pass a school bus illegally. However, many times people are wrongly charged. A lawyer may be able to get your charge reduced or dismissed, saving you money in the long run.
Common Defenses for Passing a Stopped School Bus
A skilled attorney knows the best defenses for these tickets.
Here are four common ones:
The bus wasn’t fully stopped. If the school bus wasn’t actually stopped, you may not have violated the law.
Warning signals weren’t activated. If the flashing red lights or stop signs weren’t working, you might have a strong defense.
Mistaken identity. If you weren’t the driver, the burden of proof is on the state.
Emergency situation. If stopping would have created a hazard, that may be a valid defense.
Your attorney can handle the legal arguments in court, so you won’t have to attend.
Understanding CA Vehicle Code for Passing a Stopped School Bus
According to CA Vehicle Code (VC) Section 22454, Special Stops Required, drivers must stop when a school bus is flashing red lights and displaying a stop sign.
You cannot proceed until the lights stop flashing and the sign retracts.
What many drivers don’t realize is that a bus driver or witness can report violations.
If a bus driver notes your license plate and reports the violation within 24 hours, law enforcement can issue a citation.
Even if you weren’t pulled over at the time, you could still receive a ticket in the mail.
The Financial Impact of a Passing a Stopped School Bus Conviction or Paid Fine
Let’s break down the real cost:
Base fine: $695
Insurance increase: Losing your good driver’s discount will cost about $567 per year.
Additional risk surcharge: About $280 per year.
Total increase: $847 per year for three years = $2,541
When you add it up, passing a stopped school bus could cost you nearly $3,250 over three years.
Many drivers think hiring a lawyer is expensive, but in reality, an attorney could save you thousands.
Consult a Kings County Ticket Attorney Today
If you’ve been cited for passing a stopped school bus in Kings County, don’t just pay the fine.
A Kings County traffic attorney who can fight to keep your record clean and your insurance rates low.
An experienced and knowledgeable attorney can appear in court for you, so you don’t have to miss work.
Get professional legal assistance to protect your driving record and your wallet.
Consult with Bigger & Harman About Passing a Stopped School Bus in Kings County, CA
If you’ve been ticketed for passing a stopped school bus, call Bigger & Harman at (661) 349-9300 to dispute your ticket in Hanford Courthouse in Kings County, CA—se habla Español (661) 349-9755.
Use our handy online contact form or email us at attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com.
References:
CA Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 22454, Special Stops Required.
The CA Driver Handbook English y Español.
The Bankrate.com article, Average cost of car insurance in CA for 2025.