Wisconsin Railroad Crossing Laws

How Wisconsin handles grade crossings

Wisconsin mirrors the federal rule and names the vehicles. Motor buses carrying passengers, any truck hauling chlorine, and cargo tanks marked for flammable liquids under s. 347.44 must stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail (Wis. Stat. §346.45). Other CMVs slow and check. A first violation forfeits $60 to $600 plus a 50% surcharge (§346.49), and FMCSA adds a 60-day CDL disqualification that climbs to a year for repeats (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 (Wis. Stat. §346.45), the same band as the federal rule (49 CFR 392.10).
• Clearance rule: Never enter a crossing without room to clear it completely on the far side. Cross in one gear and do not shift while your wheels are on the tracks (49 CFR 392.10).
• Fine & CDL disqualification: Wisconsin sets a forfeiture of $60 to $600 for a first offense and $180 to $1,800 for a second within 3 years, plus a railroad crossing improvement surcharge of 50% (Wis. Stat. §346.49). FMCSA then disqualifies your CDL under 49 CFR 383.51: 60 days first, 120 days second within 3 years, and at least 1 year third.

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