Passing a stopped school bus in Delaware
A school bus ticket in Delaware costs about $228 with court costs and fees, and carries 6 points.
FineAbout $228estimate with court costs
Points6
Defensive Driving CourseYes
Add up my ticket All Delaware rules
What does the Delaware state schedule charge for a school bus ticket?
The fine is only part of what you pay. Court costs and fees are added on top, and they are often more than the fine itself.
| Ticket | State fine | With court costs |
|---|---|---|
| Passing a stopped school bus$115 to $230 or 30 to 60 days in jail, or both, for a first offense. | $115[9][3] | $228 |
With court costs is an estimate. 50% Transportation Trust Fund fee plus $20 court costs, $10 court security, $10 ambulance fund and $15 police fund.[11] Your notice shows the exact total.
How many points is it?
- Passing a stopped school bus6 pts[2]
Will a school bus ticket raise your insurance in Delaware?
Probably, once it is on your record. Insurers rate a school bus ticket as a moving violation. In Delaware one speeding ticket raised a full-coverage premium about 35% on average[1], or about $3,805 over three years. A school bus ticket usually lands in the same range.
Estimate based on the state's speeding average, not a quote.
How long do you have to respond to a school bus ticket in Delaware?
You have 30 days to pay or respond to a school bus ticket in Delaware. These are the dates that matter:
- 30daysPay or respondfrom the ticket date[3][12]
Details
Pay by mail or online, or ask for a hearing. If you miss it: The court reports you to the DMV. Delaware drivers can't renew their license, and drivers from other states can have their Delaware driving privileges suspended. Paying late also loses the minimum fine.
- 15daysLast day to appealfrom conviction[12]
Details
Appeal a Justice of the Peace Court conviction to the Court of Common Pleas. If you miss it: Only allowed if the fine is more than $100 or you were sentenced to jail.
- Date on noticePlead not guilty on a mail-in ticketset by the court[12]
Details
Plead not guilty on a mail-in ticket. If you miss it: Sign the ticket and mail or fax it by the court date printed on it.
Can you keep a school bus ticket off your Delaware record?
Every way to handle a Delaware ticket, from paying to contesting →
School bus tickets in other states →
Got a different ticket in Delaware?
What else do people ask?
How many points is a school bus ticket in Delaware?
Passing a stopped school bus: 6 points.
Will a school bus ticket raise my insurance in Delaware?
Probably, if it goes on your record. Insurers rate it as a moving violation. In Delaware a speeding ticket raised full-coverage premiums about 35% on average (ValuePenguin State of Auto Insurance in 2026), and a school bus ticket tends to land in the same range.
How long do I have to respond to a school bus ticket in Delaware?
30 days from the date on the ticket. If you don't pay, ask for a hearing within 30 days or show up for trial, the court reports you to the DMV.
Sources
Delaware law and DMV sources (5)
- 2 Del. Admin. Code 2208 Concerning Driver Improvement Problem Driver Program (Formerly Reg. No. 45), Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles.
- 21 Del. C. ch. 7 (§ 702 Failure to answer summons, § 703 Jurisdiction, § 709 Payment of motor vehicle fines), Delaware General Assembly (Delaware Code Online).
- 21 Del. C. § 4166 Overtaking and passing school bus, Delaware General Assembly (Delaware Code Online).
- Traffic Frequently Asked Questions, Justice of the Peace Court, Delaware Judiciary.
- Defensive Driving Frequently Asked Questions, Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles.
Insurance sources (4)
- State of Auto Insurance in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- Car Insurance Rate Increases with a Speeding Ticket in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- How Does a DUI Affect Your Auto Insurance Rates in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- How Much Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up After a Crash in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).