North Carolina Railroad Crossing Laws

How North Carolina handles grade crossings

North Carolina writes the federal rule into state law (N.C. Gen. Stat. §20-142.3). Placarded hazmat, passenger buses, school and activity buses, and any vehicle built for 16 or more people stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail, look and listen, then cross in one gear. A dry van slows and checks (49 CFR 392.11). The state fine is an infraction up to $100; a conviction disqualifies your CDL for 60, 120, or 365 days (49 CFR 383.51).

Who stops, how far, and the CDL risk

• Who must stop: Placarded + buses
• Stop distance: Not less than 15 feet, not more than 50 feet from the nearest rail (49 CFR 392.10). N.C. Gen. Stat. §20-142.3 uses the same 15-to-50-foot window.
• Clearance rule: Do not roll onto a crossing unless the far side is open and you can drive completely across without stopping; getting boxed in on the rails is a top-cited, disqualifying violation (49 CFR 392.11, 383.51). Cross in one low gear and never shift while any part of the rig is on the tracks (§20-142.3 also bars a gear change on the crossing). Heed low-ground-clearance signs so a lowboy or step-deck does not high-center.
• Fine & CDL disqualification: A state infraction with a penalty up to $100 plus court costs (N.C. Gen. Stat. §20-176). The teeth is the FMCSA CDL disqualification (49 CFR 383.51): at least 60 days for a first offense, 120 days for a second within 3 years, and 1 year for a third.

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