DMVZoneBlogPassing a stopped school bus in North Carolina is a misdemeanor with a $500 minimum fine, 5 DMV points and no PJC allowed. Hitting someone makes it a felony. The Move Over law covers stopped responders with warning lights.
When a North Carolina school bus stops with its stop arm out and red lights flashing, traffic from every direction must stop. The only exception is oncoming traffic on a divided highway, or on a road with four or more lanes and a center turn lane. Passing a stopped bus is a Class 1 misdemeanor with a minimum $500 fine, 5 DMV points and no prayer for judgment allowed.
North Carolina treats school bus violations more harshly than most states. Judges cannot give a PJC, which is the usual way NC drivers keep a ticket off their record. Stop-arm cameras can also be used as evidence.
| Offense | Charge | Minimum fine |
|---|---|---|
| Passing a stopped bus | Class 1 misdemeanor | $500 |
| Passing and striking a person | Class I felony | $1,250 |
| Passing and causing a death | Class H felony | $2,500 |
A second misdemeanor conviction within three years means a one-year license revocation. A third means permanent revocation. On the insurance side, the conviction is 4 SDIP points, a 90% premium increase.
North Carolina's Move Over law does not cover ordinary cars with hazard lights on. Give them space anyway. It costs you nothing and protects people on the shoulder.
On a two-lane NC road, a school bus stops with its stop arm out. Who stops?
Answer: C. On a two-lane road, all traffic stops.
Passing a stopped school bus in North Carolina carries a fine of at least:
Answer: C. The minimum is $500, and a PJC is not allowed.
What is the basic NC fine for failing to move over?
Answer: C. The base fine is $250.
Yes. North Carolina allows stop-arm camera evidence in school bus cases.
State law specifically bars prayer for judgment continued in these cases.
It covers public service vehicles, which include vehicles helping with wrecked or disabled cars, such as tow trucks, when their warning lights are on.
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 North Carolina 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.
North Carolina is not a hands-free state. Texting and reading email while the car is moving is banned, with a $100 fine. Drivers under 18 cannot use a phone at all while driving, except to call a parent or 911.
NC DMV points run from 1 to 5. At 7 points you can take a driver improvement clinic to cut 3. At 12 points in three years your license is suspended for up to 60 days the first time.
Under North Carolina's Safe Driver Incentive Plan, 1 insurance point raises your premium 40%, 4 points raise it 90% and a DWI's 12 points raise it 340%. Here is the full chart and the 2025 rule changes.