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Georgia school bus and Move Over rules after Addy's Law

Since July 1, 2024, passing a stopped Georgia school bus carries a minimum $1,000 fine and 6 points under Addy's Law, and drivers under 21 lose their license. Move Over violations are up to $500 and 3 points.

DMVZone editorial · November 12, 2026 · 5 min read
Quick answer

Addy's Law, in effect since July 1, 2024, set a minimum $1,000 fine for illegally passing a stopped Georgia school bus, including violations caught by stop-arm cameras. It also carries 6 points and an automatic suspension for drivers under 21. Separately, the Move Over law requires you to change lanes or slow below the limit for stopped emergency, tow, utility and DOT vehicles, with fines up to $500 and 3 points.

School bus fine
$1,000 minimum
School bus points
6
Under 21
License suspended
Move Over
Up to $500, 3 points
Cars merging past orange traffic cones and a flashing arrow board toward a highway work area.

Georgia passed Addy's Law in 2024 after children were struck near stopped school buses. It quadrupled the old minimum fine and made the penalties among the toughest in the country.

When you must stop for a school bus

Everyone stops

  • Two-lane roads
  • Roads with more lanes but no median

Only traffic behind the bus stops

  • Divided highways separated by a median or barrier
  • Opposite traffic continues with caution

Never

  • Pass a bus on the right
  • Move until the stop arm folds and the red lights stop

Georgia State Patrol and local agencies investigated 95 school bus crashes caused by other drivers between August 1 and mid-September 2025, according to the Department of Public Safety. Following too closely and failing to yield were common causes.

Move Over: what the law asks

  1. Change into a lane that is not next to the stopped vehicle, if it is safe.
  2. If you cannot change lanes, slow to a speed below the posted limit and be ready to stop.
  3. This covers police, fire and EMS, tow and recovery trucks, utility vehicles, DOT vehicles and HERO units, and highway maintenance vehicles with flashing lights.
Good to know

Most school-age traffic deaths in school bus crashes happen between 7 and 8 a.m. and between 3 and 4 p.m., national data shows. Those are the hours to slow down near bus stops.

Check yourself3 questions

  1. What is the minimum fine for passing a stopped school bus under Addy's Law?

    Answer: C. Addy's Law set a minimum $1,000 fine.

  2. You are on a divided highway with a grass median. A bus stops on the other side. What do you do?

    Answer: B. On a divided highway, only traffic behind the bus must stop.

  3. You cannot change lanes for a stopped tow truck with flashing lights. What does Georgia law require?

    Answer: B. Slow to a reasonable speed below the limit and be prepared to stop.

Quick questions

Can a camera ticket bring the $1,000 fine?

Yes. Addy's Law covers violations caught by school bus stop-arm cameras too.

Does Move Over apply to a regular car with hazards on?

Georgia's law lists emergency, tow, utility, DOT and maintenance vehicles. Moving over for any stopped car is still the safe choice.

How many points is a Move Over ticket?

3 points under the DDS points schedule.

Sources

Checked against these pages on November 12, 2026. Laws change, so open the source before you rely on a number.

Rules and fees change. Always confirm the details with the official Georgia DMV or motor vehicle agency before you act. DMVZone practice questions are written to teach the rules and are not copies of the real test.

Keep your curiosity moving.

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