Virginia Railroad Crossing Laws
Virginia requires a full stop for for-hire buses, school buses, and trucks hauling explosives or flammable liquids (Va. Code §46.2-886). Stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail and cross without shifting gears. The statute reads 'except in cities or towns,' but federal law still puts placarded hazmat and buses on a full stop everywhere (49 CFR 392.10). Other CMVs slow and check. The low fine is not the cost; the CDL disqualification (60/120/365 days, 49 CFR 383.51) is.
How Virginia handles grade crossings
Virginia requires a full stop for for-hire buses, school buses, and trucks hauling explosives or flammable liquids (Va. Code §46.2-886). Stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail and cross without shifting gears. The statute reads 'except in cities or towns,' but federal law still puts placarded hazmat and buses on a full stop everywhere (49 CFR 392.10). Other CMVs slow and check. The low fine is not the cost; the CDL disqualification (60/120/365 days, 49 CFR 383.51) is.
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). Va. Code §46.2-886 sets the same 15-to-50-foot window.
- Clearance rule: Do not enter 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 (Va. Code §46.2-886 bars shifting gears while crossing). Heed low-ground-clearance signs so a lowboy or step-deck does not high-center.
- Fine & CDL disqualification: A traffic infraction with a low prepayable fine, capped at the Class 4 misdemeanor level of $250 (Va. Code §46.2-113). On top of it, the FMCSA CDL disqualification (49 CFR 383.51) runs at least 60 days, then 120 days for a second within 3 years, then 1 year for a third.
Virginia Railroad Crossing FAQ
Which trucks must stop at railroad crossings in Virginia?
How far from the tracks do I stop in Virginia?
What is the clearance rule at a Virginia crossing?
What does a railroad crossing violation cost in Virginia?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter8/section46.2-886/. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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