Transporting people in a towed bus on a rigid coupling: what does the law say in?

Towing a bus with passengers is a situation that raises a lot of questions among drivers and traffic police officers. The problem is especially acute when it comes to rigid coupling, which is considered more secure than flexible. But do the Traffic Rules allow transporting people in this case? And what nuances need to be taken into account in order not to run into a fine or, worse, create an emergency situation?

In this article we will analyze the current 2026 traffic rules, we analyze exceptions for different types of buses (passenger, route, school), and we will also tell you what technical requirements presented to a rigid coupling. You will learn in which cases the transportation of people is allowed and when it is strictly prohibited - even if it is a short distance or an “emergency” situation.

Spoiler: the answer is not as clear-cut as it might seem. And if you are planning to tow a bus with passengers, it is better to study all the pitfalls in advance so as not to find yourself in a situation where the traffic police inspector issues a report, and you waste time and money.

What does the traffic regulations say about towing buses with passengers?

The main document regulating this issue is Traffic rules of the Russian Federation (clause 20.2). It clearly states that transportation of people in a towed bus is prohibited, regardless of the type of hitch (rigid or flexible), with rare exceptions. However, there are nuances associated with vehicle category and for towing purposes.

It is important to understand that a rigid coupling (for example, using triangle or rods) is considered safer, as it eliminates jerking and ensures a stable distance between cars. But even this does not cancel the general ban on the carriage of passengers. Why? The point is security risks:

• 🚨 Lack of control over the brake system of the towed bus (if it is faulty).
• 🚨 The likelihood of the coupling coming off during sudden braking or maneuvering.
• 🚨 Limited visibility for the driver of the towing vehicle (especially if the bus is long).
• 🚨 Risk of injury to passengers during a sudden stop or accident.

There is only one exception: if the bus is towed for the purpose of delivery to the place of repair or parking, and at the same time all technical requirements for the coupling are met. But there are limitations here too—we’ll talk about them later.

Rigid vs flexible hitch: what is the difference for transporting people?

The type of hitch directly affects the safety of towing, but not always the legality of transporting passengers. Let's compare the two main types:

Parameter	Rigid coupling	Flexible hitch
Construction	A metal rod or triangle fixing the distance between vehicles	Rope or chain (length 4–6 m)
Security	✅ Less risk of jerking, stable position	❌ Jerks are possible, it is more difficult to control the trajectory
Transportation of people	❌ Prohibited (except exceptions)	❌ Strictly prohibited
Maximum speed	50 km/h	50 km/h
Lighting requirements	Hazard lights are required on a towed vehicle.	Hazard lights + "Tow" sign on cable are required

As can be seen from the table, a rigid coupling wins in terms of safety, but does not give any concessions in terms of passenger transportation. Moreover, traffic police inspectors often pay attention specifically to buses with a rigid coupling, since their owners sometimes mistakenly believe that the rules for them are “softer”.

There is one more nuance: if the bus is towed using partial loading (for example, on a tow truck with the front axle lifted), then transporting people in it allowed, but only in the cabin of the towing vehicle. There should be no passengers on the bus itself.

Exceptions: When is it permitted to transport people on a towed bus?

As we have already mentioned, there are several situations where traffic regulations allow the presence of people in a towed bus. However, these cases are strictly regulated and require compliance with additional conditions.

1. Towing to a repair or parking site.

   If the bus is faulty and needs to be taken to a workshop or parking lot, and there are no other options, then transporting people is permitted only in the cabin of the towing vehicle. There should be no passengers on the bus itself.

2. Special vehicles.

   Buses equipped for transportation disabled people or children (for example, school ones) can be towed with passengers, but only if:

   • 🚌 Towing is carried out on rigid coupling or by partial loading method.
   • 🚸 Speed does not exceed 30 km/h.
   • 🚨 Inside the towed bus there is accompanying person only (for example, a teacher or health care worker).

Evacuation in emergency situations.

In case accidents, fire or natural disaster the rules may be temporarily relaxed, but the decision is made by Traffic police or Ministry of Emergency Situations on the spot.

Important: even in these cases, the driver of the towing vehicle must have with him documents confirming the purpose of towing (for example, waybill with a mark of malfunction or inspection report from the traffic police).

⚠️ Attention: If a traffic police inspector stops a bus with passengers in tow and does not find supporting documents, he has the right to classify this as a violation of clause 20.2 of the traffic rules - even if you claim that you are taking the vehicle for repairs.

Fines for violating the rules for towing a bus with passengers

If you decide to ignore the rules and transport people in a towed bus, be prepared for the consequences. The punishment depends on who exactly was in the cabin and under what circumstances:

• 📋 Driver fine: 1,000–1,500 rubles (Part 1 of Article 12.23 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation) for violating the rules for transporting people.
• 📋 Fines for speeding: if towing was carried out faster 50 km/h, a penalty is added 500–1,000 rubles (Part 1 of Article 12.9 of the Administrative Code).
• 📋 Deprivation of rights: if towing leads to an accident with injuries, the driver may lose his driving license 1–1.5 years (Article 12.24 of the Administrative Code).
• 📋 Responsibility for legal entities: if the bus belongs to a company, the fine can reach 30,000 rubles (Part 2 of Article 12.31 of the Administrative Code).

In addition, if there were children, the fine increases to 3,000 rubles (Part 3 of Article 12.23 of the Administrative Code). And if we are talking about school bus, then administrative liability may also be brought official (for example, a school principal) who committed the violation.

But the most unpleasant thing is not the fines, but risks to passengers' lives. According to traffic police statistics, about 15% Accidents during towing occur precisely because of non-compliance with the rules for transporting people. Therefore, it is better not to save on a tow truck or alternative transport.

Technical requirements for rigid coupling for buses

If you do decide to tow a bus (even without passengers), make sure your hitch is up to code. Here are the key requirements:

Hitch length no more than 4 meters |

Structural strength (withstands a load of 1.5 times the weight of the towed vehicle)|

Availability of a safety cable (in case of breakage of the main coupling)|

Working hazard lights and "Tow" sign on rear of bus|

No play in fastenings (check bolts and clamps) -->

Pay special attention lighting: on a towed bus must work side lights and alarm. If they are faulty, towing is prohibited even during the day. Also check:

• 🔧 Brake system: if it does not work, towing is only permitted using a rigid hitch or partial loading method.
• 🔧 Steering: if it is faulty, the bus can be towed only on a tow truck.
• 🔧 Hitch: it must be certified and comply GOST R 41.55-2005.

If you are using homemade hitch, be prepared for the fact that the traffic police inspector may prohibit towing and issue a fine for non-compliance with technical standards (Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code, fine 500 rubles).

⚠️ Attention: Towing a bus with faulty brakes on a flexible hitch is strictly prohibited! In this case, only a rigid hitch or tow truck is permitted.

Frequent driver mistakes when towing buses

Even experienced drivers sometimes make mistakes that can cost not only a fine, but also safety. Here are the most common:

1. Ignoring the towing sign.

   Many people forget to install a red triangle sign on the cable (or the back of the bus). This violation is punishable by a fine 500 rubles (Part 1 of Article 12.20 of the Administrative Code).

2. Speeding.

   Maximum permitted speed when towing - 50 km/h. Exceeding even by 10 km/h may result in a fine.

3. Incorrect load distribution.

   If the bus is heavier than the towing vehicle, this creates a risk of skidding. Optimal weight ratio - no more 1.5:1.

4. Lack of communication between drivers.

   When towing with a flexible hitch, there must be a person in the cabin of the towed vehicle who can brake in the event of a breakaway. For rigid coupling, this is not necessary, but is recommended.

5. Towing in ice or heavy rain.

   In adverse weather conditions, towing a bus (especially a long one) becomes extremely dangerous. It's better to wait for the weather to improve or call a tow truck.

Another common mistake is towing a bus with automatic transmission over long distances. If the transmission is faulty, it can be damaged further. In this case, it is better to use the partial loading method (for example, with the drive axle raised).

What happens if the hitch breaks while driving?

If the rigid coupling breaks while driving, the towed bus may brake sharply or skid. In this case:

1. The driver of the towing vehicle must immediately turn on the hazard lights and stop.

2. The bus driver (if there is one on board) must try to keep the vehicle on the trajectory and brake.

3. An emergency stop sign must be posted on the road (no closer than 30 m in a populated area and 50 m outside it).

4. Call the traffic police to register the incident - even if there was no accident, a broken coupling is considered a violation of towing rules (fine up to 1,500 rubles).

Alternatives to Towing: When is the Best Time to Call a Tow Truck?

In some cases, towing a bus is not the best solution, even if it is allowed by the rules. Let's consider situations when you should prefer tow truck:

• 🚛 Steering faulty. In this case, towing is prohibited - only loading.
• 🚛 Breakdown of the brake system. Hard coupling is allowed, but the risks are high - especially on descents.
• 🚛 Long distances (more than 50 km). Towing long distances is tiring and dangerous.
• 🚛 Difficult weather conditions. Ice, strong winds or fog make towing extremely risky.
• 🚛 Lack of experience. If you've never towed a long vehicle, it's best to leave it to the professionals.

The cost of a tow truck for a bus may seem high (from 5,000 to 20,000 rubles depending on the region and distance), but it is justified from a safety point of view. In addition, many insurance companies cover the cost of evacuation in case of an accident or breakdown. CASCO.

If you still decide to tow the bus yourself, here are brief instructions:

1. Check the coupling for strength and compliance with GOST.
2. Make sure that there are no passengers on the towed bus (except as permitted by traffic regulations).
3. Turn on the hazard lights on both vehicles.
4. Obey the speed limit (50 km/h) and distance.
5. Avoid sudden braking and maneuvers.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about towing buses

Is it possible to tow a bus with passengers on a rigid hitch if driving slowly (for example, 20 km/h)?

No, speed doesn't matter. According to clause 20.2 of the traffic rules, the transportation of people in a towed bus is prohibited, regardless of speed, except in cases where passengers are in the cabin of the towing vehicle or if it is a special vehicle (for example, for the disabled) in compliance with all conditions.

What is the penalty for towing a school bus with children on a rigid hitch?

The fine for the driver will be 3,000 rubles (Part 3 of Article 12.23 of the Administrative Code), and for an official (for example, a school director) - up to 25,000 rubles. In addition, a vehicle inspection may be initiated to ensure compliance with the requirements for transporting children.

Is it possible to tow a bus with an automatic transmission?

Yes, but with reservations: the distance should be minimal (no more than 50 km), and the speed should not be higher 30–40 km/h. Ideally, it is better to use a partial loading method (for example, lifting the drive axle) to avoid damage to the automatic transmission. If the box is faulty, towing is strictly prohibited - only by tow truck.

Do I need to fill out special documents to tow a bus?

If towing is carried out within emergency situation (for example, a breakdown on the highway), a waybill with a note about the malfunction is sufficient. If this is a planned transportation (for example, delivering a bus from one park to another), it may be necessary traffic police permit to transport vehicles, especially if the bus weight exceeds 3.5 tons.

What to do if a traffic police inspector stops a bus while it is towing with passengers?

Don't argue or try to prove you're right on the spot. Ask the inspector to draw up a report, but indicate in it that the towing was carried out for the purpose of delivery to the repair site (if this is the case). Then appeal the decision in court by providing evidence (for example, a bus inspection report or a waybill). The chances of success are slim, but they are there.