Arkansas Railroad Crossing Laws

How Arkansas handles grade crossings

Arkansas names the trucks that must stop: any vehicle carrying passengers for hire, any school bus with kids aboard, and any load of explosives or flammable liquids, 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail (Ark. Code § 27-51-703). Placarded hazmat stops under the federal rule (49 CFR 392.10). Other CMVs slow and check (392.11). No shifting on the rails. A ticket runs up to $100 first offense, and the FMCSA CDL disqualification, 60/120/365 days, stacks on top (49 CFR 383.51).

Who stops, how far, and the CDL risk

• Who must stop: Placarded + buses
• Stop distance: Not less than 15 feet and not more than 50 feet from the nearest rail — the federal window (49 CFR 392.10), and the same figures Arkansas sets by statute (Ark. Code § 27-51-703).
• Clearance rule: Never enter a crossing unless you can clear the far side without stopping, and do not stop on the tracks. Cross in one gear and do not shift on the rails. Do not drive around, under, or through a gate that is closed or closing (Ark. Code § 27-51-702).
• Fine & CDL disqualification: A grade-crossing violation is a traffic misdemeanor: up to $100 for a first offense, up to $200 for a second within a year, and up to $500 for a third (Ark. Code § 27-50-304). The FMCSA CDL disqualification stacks on top, at least 60 days for a first grade-crossing offense, 120 days for a second within 3 years, and a year for a third (49 CFR 383.51).

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