Driving Tests

New Brunswick School Bus Rules: When to Stop, How Far Back, Penalty

informational·how to guide·Published August 3, 2026

When must you stop for a school bus in New Brunswick?

In New Brunswick, stop when a stopped school bus has its flashing red lights on, from the front or from behind. Stop at least 5 metres (16 feet) from the bus and do not pass until it moves again or the red lights stop. Only a driver who meets the bus on a highway divided by a median is exempt. The Driver's Handbook lists the offence at 6 points.

Where these school bus rules come from

The stop rule is in sections 188 and 188.1 (camera evidence) of the New Brunswick Motor Vehicle Act, consolidated to June 12, 2026. Amber school bus lights are in section 225 and school zone speed is in section 140.1 of the same Act. The Government of New Brunswick explains the rules for drivers in the New Brunswick Driver's Handbook (part 6 on school buses, part 4 on school zones). The handbook's point loss list gives the points. When the handbook and the Act differ, this guide follows the Act. These rules are as of 2026. Confirm the rules with Service New Brunswick (gnb.ca) before you drive.

Where does the school bus stop rule apply?

Section 188 of the Act says "highway", but the Act gives the word a wide meaning: any street, road, lane, parking lot or school yard where the public drives or parks. So the rule also applies on town streets and in school parking lots. A school bus is a vehicle that a public or government agency owns to carry children to or from school, or a private bus under contract with such an agency for the same job. The practice question on where drivers must stop for a school bus with red lights flashing tests the rule.

What to do when a school bus stops ahead

1
Watch for amber lights
A school bus may flash amber lights before it stops to let children off or on. Be alert for students.
2
Stop for red lights
When the bus stops and its red lights flash, bring your vehicle to a full stop at least 5 metres from the bus.
3
Stay stopped
Wait while children get on or off. Do not pass the bus.
4
Go when it is clear
Move off only when the bus is in motion again or the red lights stop flashing.

Other side of the road and divided highways

You come up behind the bus

Stop at least 5 metres behind it and wait.

You meet the bus from the front on a road with no median

Stop at least 5 metres from the bus. Traffic in both directions stops.

You meet the bus from the front on a highway divided by a median

The stop rule does not apply to you.

You come up behind the bus on a highway divided by a median

You stop. The median exception covers only the driver who meets the bus.

School bus lights: amber and red

School bus lights: amber and red
Light	What it means	What you do
Flashing amber	The bus may show amber lights before it stops to let children off or on. The handbook says amber starts 150 metres (500 feet) before the stop.	Be alert for students.
Flashing red	The bus is stopped and children are getting on or off. A yellow school bus has two alternately flashing red lights visible from the front and two from the rear.	Stop at least 5 metres away. Do not pass.

What is the penalty for passing a school bus?

Points: the Driver's Handbook lists failing to stop for school bus flashing lights as a 6-point offence. Speeding more than 25 km/h over the limit is 5 points on the same list.
New drivers: a driver licensed for less than four years starts with four points and is suspended on losing all of them. One school bus offence in the first year takes every point. The guide to new driver penalties, zero tolerance and points has the full point rules.
Fine: on conviction, the minimum fine is double the minimum for that category of offence under the Provincial Offences Procedure Act.
Owner: the owner of the vehicle is guilty of the offence unless the owner shows that another person was driving.
Cameras: the Act also allows camera evidence for this offence.

What is the speed limit in a school zone?

School zone limits apply from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on days when a public or private school nearby is in session. The limit is 30 km/h in a municipality and 50 km/h in a rural community, regional municipality or rural district. A sign can show a different school zone limit, but the Act does not allow one below 30 km/h. The handbook tells you to take extra caution and reduce speed. The question on the usual school-zone speed limit in a municipality tests this rule.

Key takeaways

Stop when a school bus is stopped with its flashing red lights on, whether you come toward it or up behind it.
Stop at least 5 metres away and do not pass until the bus moves again or the red lights stop.
The exception is a driver who meets the bus on a highway divided by a median.
Amber lights come before the stop: be alert for students.
The handbook lists the offence at 6 points, and the minimum fine is double the usual minimum.
Next step: practise on the free New Brunswick Class 7 Level 1 practice test. It is in English only.

New Brunswick school bus rules: common questions

Do I stop for a school bus coming from the opposite direction in New Brunswick?

Yes, on a road with no median. The Act makes every driver who meets or overtakes a stopped school bus with flashing red lights stop, and its only exception is a highway divided by a median. On a road with no median, drivers going both ways stop at least 5 metres from the bus.

Do I have to stop for flashing amber lights on a school bus?

The stop rule is tied to the red lights. Flashing amber lights mean the bus is about to stop to let children off or on. The handbook says the amber lights start 150 metres (500 feet) before the stop, so be alert for students and ready for the red lights.

Can I pass a school bus if the bus driver waves me on?

Stay stopped while the red lights flash. The Act lets you pass only when the bus moves again or the red lights go off. Part 4 of the Driver's Handbook also mentions a signal from the bus driver, but part 6 says to wait until the red lights stop. Follow the Act.

Can a camera catch a driver who passes a school bus in New Brunswick?

Yes. The Act allows evidence from a camera system for this offence. With camera evidence, the registered owner of the vehicle is guilty unless the owner shows that another person was driving. The 5-metre rule, the median exception and the doubled minimum fine are the same as without a camera.