Arizona Railroad Crossing Laws
Buses carrying passengers for hire, school buses carrying any school child, and vehicles carrying or returning after delivering explosives or flammable liquids must stop at every Arizona grade crossing, 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail (A.R.S. 28-853; 49 CFR 392.10). Cross in one gear and don't shift on the rails. A CMV needs sufficient undercarriage clearance before it enters. Other trucks slow and check (49 CFR 392.11). A conviction stacks a CDL disqualification of 60 days or more on the fine (49 CFR 383.51).
A detail here is flagged medium confidence — confirm with the state DMV or the FMCSA rule before you rely on it.
How Arizona handles grade crossings
Buses carrying passengers for hire, school buses carrying any school child, and vehicles carrying or returning after delivering explosives or flammable liquids must stop at every Arizona grade crossing, 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail (A.R.S. 28-853; 49 CFR 392.10). Cross in one gear and don't shift on the rails. A CMV needs sufficient undercarriage clearance before it enters. Other trucks slow and check (49 CFR 392.11). A conviction stacks a CDL disqualification of 60 days or more on the fine (49 CFR 383.51).
Who stops, how far, and the CDL risk
- Who must stop: Placarded + buses
- Stop distance: Stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail (A.R.S. 28-853), the federal window (49 CFR 392.10).
- Clearance rule: Cross only in a gear you will not need to change, and do not shift gears while crossing the tracks (A.R.S. 28-853). A CMV must not enter unless it has sufficient undercarriage clearance to clear the crossing without obstructing the through passage of a rail vehicle.
- Fine & CDL disqualification: A crossing-stop violation is a civil traffic violation in Arizona (A.R.S. 28-853); the base fine plus state surcharges apply. The FMCSA CDL disqualification is the heavier hit and stacks on top: 60 days for a first offense, 120 days for a second within 3 years, at least a year for a third (49 CFR 383.51).
Arizona Railroad Crossing FAQ
Which trucks must stop at railroad crossings in Arizona?
How far from the tracks do I stop in Arizona?
What is the clearance rule at a Arizona crossing?
What does a railroad crossing violation cost in Arizona?
Reference information for planning, not legal advice. Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it. Last reviewed July 2026. Source: https://www.azleg.gov/ars/28/00853.htm. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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