Driving Tests

South Dakota School Bus Law: Stop for Red, Slow for Amber Lights

informational·how to guide·Published April 27, 2026

When must you stop for a school bus in South Dakota?

In South Dakota, you must make a complete stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing. Stay at least 15 feet away until the red lights go off. For flashing amber lights, slow to 15 mph or less and pass with caution. On a road with two or more lanes each way, you need not stop for a bus that comes toward you.

Where the South Dakota school bus rules come from

The stop and slow-down rules come from South Dakota Codified Laws (SDCL) 32-32-6. The penalty classes come from SDCL 22-6-2. The manual wording comes from the current South Dakota Driver License Manual, page 43. SDCL 32-32-7, 32-32-9 and 32-32-17, House Bill (HB) 1094 of 2025 and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) testing page give the other exceptions, the $250 civil penalty, the bus camera rule and the knowledge test facts. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the South Dakota Department of Public Safety (dps.sd.gov) before you drive.

South Dakota school bus lights: what you must do

South Dakota school bus lights: what you must do
Where you drive	Amber lights flash	Red lights flash
Road with less than two lanes each way, or a private road	Slow to 15 mph or less and pass with caution	Make a complete stop, at least 15 feet away, until the red lights go off
Road with two or more lanes each way, bus goes your way	Slow to 15 mph or less and pass with caution	Make a complete stop, at least 15 feet away, until the red lights go off
Road with two or more lanes each way, bus comes toward you	No need to slow down	No need to stop, even when the bus is stopped

Do you stop for a school bus on a four-lane road in South Dakota?

Only for a bus that goes your way. The law says "two or more lanes of travel in each direction", and a road with two lanes each way fits. On that road, stop for a bus that goes your way and stops with red lights flashing. You need not stop for a bus that comes toward you.
A turn-only lane is not a lane of travel. So on a road with one through lane each way and a center turn lane, you stop for a bus with red lights from either direction. Try our free question on a stopped bus that comes toward you on a two-lane road.

When you do not need to stop for a stopped school bus

You drive on a highway with two or more lanes each way, and the bus is on the other side of the road

You need not stop or slow down, even when the bus has its red lights flashing.

The highway has separate roadways, and the bus is on a different roadway

You need not stop when you meet or pass the bus.

You drive on a limited or controlled-access highway, and the bus is stopped in a loading zone that is part of or next to the highway, or where pedestrians may not cross the roadway

You need not stop for that bus.

None of these cases fits

Stop completely, stay at least 15 feet from the bus and wait until the red lights go off.

What the South Dakota driver manual says about school buses and children

The manual tells you to always stop for a school bus that has red lights flashing or its stop arm out, unless a physical barrier separates the roadway. The law is longer and gives the exact exceptions above. Follow the law.
In a school zone, obey the slower speed limit when the lights flash or children are present.
Near schools, playgrounds and residential streets, watch for children who cross, run or ride into the street. In playground and residential areas, children can run out from between parked vehicles. It is a good idea to drive slower than the limit there and to be ready to stop quickly.

What is the penalty for passing a stopped school bus in South Dakota?

Breaking the school bus law is a Class 1 misdemeanor. A Class 1 misdemeanor can bring up to one year in a county jail, a $2,000 fine, or both. The court must also order restitution to any victim.
When a vehicle breaks the law and the driver is unknown, the vehicle is subject to a $250 civil penalty.

Can a school bus camera video be used against you?

Yes. HB 1094 of 2025 added a new section, now SDCL 32-32-17. It says that a recording from a bus external video system can be entered into evidence in a civil or criminal action.
The rule covers a bus that carries students of a South Dakota school district and has an external video system that records traffic around the bus. No district or bus company must install such a system.

Key takeaways

Red lights: make a complete stop at least 15 feet from the bus, and stay stopped until the red lights go off.
Amber lights: slow to 15 mph or less and pass with caution. On a road with two or more lanes each way, you need not slow for a bus that comes toward you.
A turn-only lane does not count as a lane of travel. A road with one lane each way and a center turn lane needs a stop for a bus from both directions.
The penalty is a Class 1 misdemeanor: up to one year in a county jail, a $2,000 fine, or both.
Next step: practice on the free South Dakota operator license practice test.

South Dakota school bus law: common questions

When can I drive again after a school bus stops with red lights?

Stay stopped, at least 15 feet from the bus, until the flashing red lights go off. The manual adds one more step: when the red lights stop and the stop arm is no longer visible, go on slowly and watch for children.

Can I pass a school bus with amber lights in South Dakota?

Yes, but slow to 15 mph or less and pass with caution. This applies on a road with less than two lanes each way, on a private road, and when you come up behind a bus on a road with two or more lanes each way. For the amber-light speed, see our free question on passing a bus at 15 mph.

Do I stop for a school bus on the other side of a divided highway?

Not when the highway has separate roadways and the bus is on a different roadway. You also need not stop on a road with two or more lanes each way when the bus comes toward you. On a road with one lane each way, you must stop, even for an oncoming bus.

Did South Dakota change its school bus law in 2025?

Yes. House Bill 1094 of 2025 amended SDCL 32-32-6, the law on amber and red bus lights. That section now has the lane rules in this guide. The bill also added a new section that lets a bus camera recording be used as evidence in court. The Governor signed the bill on March 13, 2025.

Is the school bus rule on the South Dakota permit test?

The DPS knowledge test covers rules of the road and safe-driving practices, and you need a score of 80% or higher to pass. The school bus rule is on page 43 of the current driver license manual, so study it. Our guide to the South Dakota permit test explains what is on the test and the retake rules.