Missouri School Bus Laws: What Drivers Need to Know

Drivers in Missouri are required under the law to come to a stop when a school bus turns on its flashing red lights and extends its stop arm. There are few exceptions to this law, depending on the type of roadway. For a driver, understanding these rules as defined by RSMo 304.050 is important not just for safety, but also to avoid severe penalties, including having their driver’s license suspended. In this guide, we will talk about some of the core Missouri school bus laws, driver requirements and specific penalties for those who violate the law.

Key Takeaways for Missouri Drivers

• All traffic, irrespective of the direction of travel, must stop on two-lane roads.
• On divided highways or roads that have medians, only traffic traveling in the same direction as a school bus, must come to a stop.
• Drivers who illegally pass a school bus can face a 90-day driver’s license suspension for a first offense.
• The vehicle owner is presumed to be the driver in the event of a violation unless they are able to prove otherwise (Jessica’s Law).
• School bus operators must meet strict driving history standards (12 CSR 10-24.160) to hold their permit.

Missouri’s school bus laws are in place to keep students safe on the state’s roadways. Here is a section-by-section breakdown of the specific legal requirements for drivers and the operators responsible for children’s safe transport statewide.

RSMo 304.050: The School Bus Stop Law

This is the basic statute, which clearly spells out when a driver must stop for the school bus. It also details what equipment is required on the school bus such as flashing lights, stop arm, “school bus” signs, crossing control arms etc.

When Must You Stop? Understanding the Rules by Road Type

Whether or not you are required to stop for a school bus depends on the type of roadway. On an undivided two-lane road, traffic in both directions must stop when a school bus is stopped with red lights flashing and its stop arm extended. This also applies on roads with four or more lanes without a physical median. But, if the road is divided by a median or has separate roadways, only vehicles traveling in the same direction as the bus are required to stop. Drivers should always slow down and be cautions in areas where children are walking or playing.

Key Rules for Student Safety and Visibility

When it comes to safety, a lot depends on the visibility of the school bus and the traffic controls that are in place. Missouri laws require that:

• A school bus be clearly visible for at least 500 feet in each direction on high-speed highways with speed limits over 60 mph and no shoulder. On all other roadways, buses must be visible from at least 300 feet away. These visibility standards help drivers react in time and reduce the risk of a crash.
• School buses may not drop off students in locations that force them to cross more than two lanes of traffic. This rule minimizes children’s exposure to moving vehicles and improves overall pedestrian safety for students.

Enforced Penalties and Vehicle Owner Liability (Jessica’s Law)

Drivers who violate Missouri’s school bus stop law face serious penalties. Under Jessica’s Law (RSMo 304.050), a first offense results in a mandatory 90-day driver’s license suspension, even if no one is injured as a result of the violation. Drivers can face up to a 120-day license suspension for subsequent violations. The penalties could become a lot more severe if a violation results in death or injury to a child.

Jessica’s law also creates what is known as a “rebuttable presumption,” of vehicle owner liability for school bus stop violations. This means that the registered owner of a vehicle is assumed guilty unless they can provide evidence that someone else was driving the vehicle at the time of the violation. For example, a vehicle owner can provide a rental or lease agreement as proof that the vehicle was delivered/sold before the violation occurred. A vehicle owner in such cases can also give a copy of the police report documenting that the car was stolen. Without such evidence, the vehicle’s owner may face penalties even if he or she was not personally driving at the time of the violation.

RSMo 304.060: Rules for District Vehicles and Personnel Violations

Missouri’s Board of Education adopts state rules for the design and operation of all school buses. Please note below the requirements relating to vehicles other than traditional school buses, as well as the rules that apply to district personnel.

Transportation in Non-Bus Vehicles and Driver Exemptions

• Vehicles must transport no more students than the manufacturer lists as appropriate.
• Vehicles used for student transport that have a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of less than 12,000 pounds may be exempt from requiring its driver to hold a commercial driving license, provided he or she meets other requirements. The driver of such a vehicle should still hold a valid Missouri driver’s license.

Employee Accountability

Any school employee or officer who violates these regulations or fails to include compliance in a contract is guilty of misconduct and can be removed from their post or have their contract canceled after a notice or hearing.

Strict Driving History Standards for School Bus Operators

Missouri’s Director of Revenue sets strict driving history guidelines (12 CSR 10-24.160) for issuing and retaining a school bus operator’s permit, also known as an S endorsement. These guidelines are in place to ensure that the drivers who transport children hold an exemplary driving record.

Grounds for Denial or Revocation of a School Bus Permit

The following are grounds for denial or revocation of a school bus permit under Missouri laws:

• A driver has more than two (2) convictions or six (6) or more points within the 12 months preceding the application date.
• The individual has had their driving privilege suspended or revoked within the five years prior for an alcohol/drug offense or a felony.
• His or her driving privilege has been suspended or revoked two or more times within the ten years prior for specific offenses.
• The applicant has one or more convictions for involuntary manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle in an intoxicated condition within the ten years prior.

Protecting Students and Drivers

The safety of student vehicular transport — particularly school bus safety — in Missouri, relies on the shared responsibility of school officials, bus drivers as well as other drivers on our roadways. Understanding the state’s laws, especially when it comes to exceptions for stopping, helps ensure the safe transport of children and protects drivers from strict penalties that can impact their lives and livelihoods.

The framework of laws, including RSMo 304.050 and the driver requirements in 12 CSR 10-24.160, is designed to minimize the risk to children in the “danger zone” around a school bus. Complying with these laws helps promote vigilance in accordance with Missouri’s commitment to protect students.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a school bus accident due to negligence, or if you have been wrongfully accused of a violation that resulted in injury, it is important that you seek the counsel of an experienced Missouri lawyer. Our Kansas City law firm can help protect your rights and help you navigate the complexities of Missouri’s transportation laws.