Frequently Asked Questions - PA School Bus Side Stop Signal
Arm Enforcement Systems Program
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What are Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement Systems?
Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement Systems are electronic hardware and software
configurations that systematically-detect vehicles, via recorded imaging, who illegally-meet or overtake
school buses with their red signal lights flashing and side stop signal arms activated.
What is the goal of the Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement Program?
The goal of the Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement Program is to improve safety
near stopped school buses, save pedestrian lives, complement law enforcement, and promote overall
school bus safety.
When did the Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement program begin in
Pennsylvania?
The legislation enabling the Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement program in
Pennsylvania was signed into law on October 24, 2018. Amending legislation was signed into law on July
1, 2020, and October 23, 2023.
How does Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement work?
Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement Systems are electronic hardware and software
configurations that systematically-detect motor vehicles, via recorded imaging, who illegally-overtake
school buses with their red signal lights flashing and side stop signal arms activated. More specifically,
when the violation is detected, the system electronically records images of the motor vehicle, license
plate number, and license plate state-of-issuance, as well as the date, time, and place of the violation.
These violation records are then transmitted to an office system where registered owner information is
obtained. If the violation passes all necessary Quality Assurance and Quality Control checks, a Notice of
Violation is produced and mailed to the registered owner by either the School Entity or System
Administrator on the School Entity’s behalf. The vehicle owner then has the choice to pay the fine or
contest the violation, in accordance with the written instructions on the Notice of Violation. Each
violation of the Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement Systems carries a $300 civil
penalty in accordance with 75 PA C.S. §3345.1.
How often are the Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement Systems checked for
accuracy?
By law, the Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement Systems are required to be
certified by PennDOT prior to use, in accordance with 67 PA Code §171b Automated School Bus Side
Stop Signal Arm Enforcement Systems; Temporary Regulations. Also, by law, the School Entity, the
System Administrator on the school Entity's behalf, or the contracted company that provides pupil
transportation must include written documentation that the side stop signal arm enforcement system
was operating correctly at the time of an alleged violation. With many types of systems and components
in this program, the scope and frequency of accuracy checks varies by system type and school.
Where are the Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement Systems located and how are
the buses selected?
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Arm Enforcement Systems Program
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The Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement Systems are located on school buses, at
various locations throughout Pennsylvania. School Entities, such as a school district, area career &
technical school, intermediate unit, charter school, regional charter school or cyber charter school may
choose to start a program. Those School Entities choose which buses to equip with a system, and they
may choose to equip their entire or partial bus fleet.
How will I know if I am passing a bus with an Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm
Enforcement System?
By law, the School Entity, or the System Administrator on the School Entity's behalf, shall provide notice
through a publicly accessible internet website that provides guidance and information related to the
system, including, but not limited to, the number of school buses equipped with a system, the appeals
process limited to the defenses, and contact information. The website shall remain publicly accessible
throughout the period of use in a manner as determined by the School Entity.
If I drive past a bus with an Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement System, will I
automatically get a ticket?
No. Before the School Entity or System Administrator on their behalf issues you a Notice of Violation,
Quality Assurance and Quality Control checks are completed. If during those checks, it’s discovered no
violation occurred, a Notice of Violation will not be issued to the vehicle owner.
How long does it take to get a violation notice in the mail?
By law, the following durations apply:
1) In the case of a violation involving a vehicle registered under PA laws of this Commonwealth, the
Notice of Violation must be mailed within 30 days after the commission of the violation or
within 30 days after the discovery of the identity of the registered owner, whichever is later, and
not thereafter to the address of the registered owner as listed in PennDOT records.
2) In the case of vehicles registered in jurisdictions other than PA, the notice of violation must be
mailed within 30 days after the discovery of the identity of the registered owner and not
thereafter to the address of the registered owner as listed in the records of the official in the
jurisdiction having charge of the registration of the vehicle.
3) A notice of violation under this section must be provided to an owner within 90 days of the
commission of the offense.
Why didn’t I receive a warning, rather than a fine, like the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement
Program?
By law, the $300 civil penalty applies to every violation issued as part of the Automated School Bus Side
Stop Signal Arm Enforcement System Program, and no warnings are issued as part of the Notice of
Violation process. By contrast, the work zone law details a first offense warning, with fines for
subsequent violations.
What is the fine? Are points assessed against my driver's license?
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Arm Enforcement Systems Program
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Each violation carries a $300 fine. These penalties are civil in nature, with no criminal implications.
Points will not be assessed against your driver’s license for any violations issued as part of the
Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement System program. Moreover, by law, the
violation:
1) is not deemed a criminal conviction
2) will not be made part of the operating record of the vehicle owner
3) will not be used to determine a merit rating for insurance purposes and
4) does not authorize the imposition of surcharge points in the provision of motor vehicle
insurance coverage
How do I pay the fine?
Payment instructions are included with your Notice of Violation. Payments are made to the School Entity
or the System Administrator on the School Entity’s behalf.
What if I don't pay the fine?
If payment is not received within 90 days of mailing of the notice of violation, the school entity, or a
system administrator on the school entity's behalf, may request an applicable credit collection agency to
resolve the payment amount owed.
Are the Notices of Violation reviewed before they are mailed out?
Yes. Before the School Entity or System Administrator on their behalf issues you a Notice of Violation,
Quality Assurance and Quality Control checks are completed, including comprehensive review. If during
those checks, it’s discovered no violation occurred, a Notice of Violation will not be issued to the vehicle
owner. Also, all violations are reviewed and affirmed by the primary police department.
How is revenue from the fines used?
By law, each $300 fine shall be distributed as follows:
1) $250 to the School Entity where the violation occurred, and which authorized the use of a side
stop signal arm enforcement system. These funds shall be utilized for the installation,
administration or maintenance of side stop signal arm enforcement systems, including through
a System Administrator under an agreement with the School Entity, on school buses.
2) $25 to the primary police department that reviewed the submitted evidence.
3) $25 to the School Bus Safety Grant Program Account. See below for details.
What are the School Bus Safety Grant Program and Account?
The School Bus Safety Grant Program Account is established as a restricted account in the
Commonwealth General Fund. Money in the account is appropriated on a continuing basis to PennDOT
for grants related to this program. The surcharge established under 75 PA C.S. § 3345(j), the portion of
the fine established under subsection 75 PA C.S. §3345.1(c)(1)(iii), and any other revenue as provided
for under 75 PA C.S. §§3345-33445.1 shall be deposited into the account and shall be used by PennDOT
to implement the Grant Program. PennDOT may pay any actual administrative costs for the Automated
Frequently Asked Questions - PA School Bus Side Stop Signal
Arm Enforcement Systems Program
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School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement System Program out of the fines deposited into to the
account.
Once sufficient account funding is available to administer a fair and equitable Grant Program, PennDOT
will publish a uniform application process in the PA Bulletin for grants in an amount not to exceed
$100,000 on a competitive basis for the following purposes:
1) To promote and increase school bus safety, education, and training throughout PA
2) To reimburse or pay for, in whole or in part, education, training and other associated costs
related to the issuance of a commercial learner's permit, commercial driver's license or school
bus endorsement by the department to an individual for the purpose of driving a school bus in
this Commonwealth
The following are eligible to apply for grants under this subsection:
1) Independent school bus contractors
2) School entities
3) Municipalities
How is the Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement System Administrator
compensated?
The System Administrator is the company that typically installs, maintains, and manages the electronic
system, such as camera equipment on the school buses. In several ways described in the law, the
System Administrator may act on behalf of the School Entity. System Administrators may enter into legal
agreements with the School Entities for their respective roles. School Entities may pay System
Administrators for their Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement System Program work
with the School Entity’s $250 portion of the $300 civil penalty per violation.
What if I wasn't driving my car at the time of the violation? Am I still responsible for paying the fine?
By law, it shall be a defense to a violation that the owner of the motor vehicle named in the Notice of
Violation was not driving the motor vehicle at the time of the violation. The owner may be required to
submit evidence that the owner was not the driver at the time of the alleged violation. The owner may
not be required to disclose the identity of the driver of the motor vehicle at the time of the violation.
Also, by law, the lessee of a leased vehicle shall be considered the owner of a motor vehicle and may be
liable for the penalty.
I passed a school bus, but I think I passed it legally, and still received a Notice of Violation. What
should I do?
You should read and follow the instructions on the Notice of Violation, as it includes important
information and references about the violation. 75 PA C.S. §3345 Meeting or Overtaking School Bus
describes the duty of an approaching driver when red signals are flashing. You may have passed the bus
illegally without knowing it. Especially on multilane highways, and where motorists are proceeding in
the opposite direction of the bus, motorists often pass buses illegally, and unsafely, because they are
unfamiliar with the law.
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Arm Enforcement Systems Program
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75 PA C.S §3345 (g) offers an exception from stopping requirements: The driver of a vehicle upon a
highway or trafficway with separate roadways need not stop upon meeting or passing a school bus with
actuated red signal lights which is on a different roadway. This means, for example, if there’s a physical
barrier such as guide rail or median barrier between traffic in opposite directions, then the vehicle
traveling in the opposite direction as the bus doesn’t need to stop when the red signals are flashing and
the side stop signal arms are properly activated.
For more information on when to stop for stopped school buses,
check out this graphic that illustrates
Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law.
Can I contest an Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement System violation notice?
Yes. Instructions for contesting the violation appear on the Notice of Violation. Requests for contest by
the vehicle owner are made to the School Entity or the System Administrator if acting on the School
Entity’s behalf. Only the owner of a vehicle may contest the violation. Also, the lessee of a leased vehicle
shall be considered the owner of a motor vehicle.
Do I need to schedule a hearing for my Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement
System violation?
Hearings are only required if you contest your violation. Hearings are not required if you pay your fine or
if you are not contesting your violation. If contested, the School Entity or System Administrator acting on
the School Entity’s behalf is responsible to schedule the hearing with the PennDOT Hearing Officer and
vehicle owner.
Is Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement an invasion of privacy?
No. Images collected as part of this program are used only for the execution of this program. Per 75 PA
C.S. § 3345.1, images are to be destroyed within one year after a final disposition has been recorded for
the subject violation, except in specific cases of court order.
What happens if my violation notice has been forwarded to a collection agency?
The collection agency will contact you to arrange payment of the fine.
Do other states have Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement programs?
Yes, several states currently have programs. Most have information on their state Department of
Transportation websites.
Will I lose my driver’s license for an Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement
violation?
No. Violations under the Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement program are civil
violations and do not affect your driving record.
However, there is an important distinction: The Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm
Enforcement program only applies civil violations with associated $300 civil penalties under 75 PA C.S.
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Arm Enforcement Systems Program
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§3345.1. Violations that are considered criminal penalties and involve police citations are not handled
through this program or hearing process. Please refer to the Notice of Violation on the governing
statutes, penalties, hearing procedures and timeframes related to a particular violation.
I rent my automobile out through a vehicle sharing platform (i.e., Turo, GetAround, etc.) and the
person renting my car received a violation from the Automated School Bus Side Stop Signal Arm
Enforcement program. What do I do?
Per 75 PA C.S. §3345.1., it shall be a defense to a violation that the owner of the motor vehicle named in
the Notice of Violation was not driving the motor vehicle at the time of the violation. The owner may be
required to submit evidence that the owner was not the driver at the time of the alleged violation. The
owner may not be required to disclose the identity of the driver of the motor vehicle at the time of the
violation. Also, by law, the lessee of a leased vehicle shall be considered the owner of a motor vehicle
and may be liable for the penalty. The driver may be considered the lessee depending on the rental
agreement terms.
I am a car dealership and one of my loaner vehicles received a violation from the Automated School
Bus Side Stop Signal Arm Enforcement program. What do I do?
Per 75 PA C.S. §3345.1., it shall be a defense to a violation that the owner of the motor vehicle named in
the Notice of Violation was not driving the motor vehicle at the time of the violation. The owner may be
required to submit evidence that the owner was not the driver at the time of the alleged violation. The
owner may not be required to disclose the identity of the driver of the motor vehicle at the time of the
violation. Also, by law, the lessee of a leased vehicle shall be considered the owner of a motor vehicle
and may be liable for the penalty. The driver may be considered the lessee depending on the loan
agreement terms.
I drive a leased, fleet, or company vehicle. Can I contest a Notice of Violation?
Depends. Per 75 PA C.S. §3345.1., the registered owner of the vehicle is liable for the penalty, and the
lessee of a leased vehicle shall be considered the owner of a motor vehicle. So, the either the vehicle
owner or leasee of a leased vehicle may contest liability. For other situations, like use of fleet and
company vehicles, by law, the lessee of a leased vehicle shall be considered the owner of a motor
vehicle and may be liable for the penalty. The driver may be considered the lessee depending on any
applicable agreement terms, such as employee/employer and company/fleet vendor agreements.
Is it possible to get multiple violations within a single day?
Yes. It’s possible to incur multiple violations in a single day.
Can you receive a violation while driving on a state or federal holiday?
Yes. Violations may occur whenever a motor vehicle illegally meets or overtakes a school bus stopped
on a highway or trafficway when the red signal lights on the school the school bus are flashing, and the
side stop signal arms are activated. Buses may operate on state or federal holidays.
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Arm Enforcement Systems Program
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I requested and received a hearing, and I received a determination of liability letter from the PennDOT
Hearing Officer, as transmitted to me by the School Entity or System Administer on the School Entity’s
behalf. Can I appeal this outcome?
Yes. If, within 45 days of issuance of the PennDOT Hearing Officer’s decision, the vehicle owner requests
in writing an appeal of the decision of the PennDOT Hearing Officer, the vehicle owner shall file the
notice of violation and supporting documents with the office of the magisterial district judge for the
magisterial district where the violation occurred. A magisterial district judge shall hear and decide the
matter de novo (starting from the beginning).
