New Hampshire Railroad Crossing Laws

How New Hampshire handles grade crossings

New Hampshire requires the stop for vehicles carrying passengers for hire, school buses with a child aboard, explosive loads, flammable-liquid cargo tanks loaded or empty, and LP-gas cylinders, 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail (RSA 265:50). A first offense is a violation; a repeat in the same year is a misdemeanor (RSA 265:52), and the state can pull your license up to 90 days. The FMCSA CDL disqualification (49 CFR 383.51) stacks: 60 days, 120, a year.

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 (RSA 265:50; 49 CFR 392.10). Listen and look both ways. All vehicles must also stop when a signal, gate, or approaching train warns (RSA 265:49).
• Clearance rule: Don't enter a crossing unless the far side is open and you can drive completely across without stopping (49 CFR 392.10). Cross in one gear and don't shift gears on the rails. Getting boxed in on the tracks is a disqualifying offense (49 CFR 383.51).
• Fine & CDL disqualification: A first offense is a violation, roughly $124; a repeat within the same calendar year is a misdemeanor, roughly $310, and the state may revoke your license for up to 90 days (RSA 265:50, 265:52). New Hampshire also has a commercial-driver penalty section (RSA 265:52-a). The FMCSA CDL disqualification (49 CFR 383.51) stacks on top: at least 60 days first, 120 days for a second within 3 years, and 1 year for a third.

More for New Hampshire