Tennessee Railroad Crossing Laws

How Tennessee handles grade crossings

In Tennessee, buses carrying passengers, school buses loaded or empty, and trucks hauling explosives or flammable liquids must stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail (Tenn. Code §55-8-147). Every other CMV slows and checks the tracks are clear (§55-50-412). Cross in one gear; no shifting on the rails. Rolling through is a Class B misdemeanor, up to six months and a $500 fine. FMCSA piles a 60-day CDL disqualification 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 (Tenn. Code §55-8-147), the same window as federal 49 CFR 392.10.
• Clearance rule: Don't enter unless you can drive completely across without stopping. Tennessee law says cross in a gear you won't need to change and don't shift while on the tracks (Tenn. Code §55-8-147; §55-50-412). No boxing in on the rails.
• Fine & CDL disqualification: A Class B misdemeanor: up to 6 months in jail and a fine up to $500 (Tenn. Code §55-8-147). On top of that, FMCSA disqualifies your CDL for at least 60 days for a first grade-crossing offense, 120 days for a second within 3 years, and 1 year for a third (49 CFR 383.51).

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