Driving tests

28: Driving across railway level crossings

The aim of this lesson is to legally and safely approach and cross different kinds of railway level crossings. You’ll need to find a road with either a crossing controlled by a Stop or Give Way sign, controlled by barrier arms and/or signals, or uncontrolled (no barrier arms, signals, Stop sign or Give Way sign).

 

Driver actions

At a crossing controlled by a Stop sign or Give Way sign:

  • Check all mirrors as you approach the crossing
  • Look left and right along the railway line
  • If there’s a Stop sign, you must stop.
  • If there’s a Give Way sign, slow down and be ready to stop
  • Don’t try to beat an oncoming train. If you have to stop because there is a train or maintenance vehicle approaching or passing through the crossing, stop before the limit line, or five metres before the crossing if there isn’t a limit line
  • When it’s safe to go, drive over the railway crossing.

At a crossing controlled by barrier arms and/or signals:

  • Check all mirrors as you approach the crossing
  • If the signals are flashing but the barrier arms are still up, you must come to a stop. If the barrier arms are down you must stop, too. Stop before the limit line, or at least five metres before the crossing if there’s no limit line.
  • Stay where you are until the barriers have lifted and the signals have stopped flashing. If the signals continue to flash after a train has passed it might be because another train is coming through, so don’t anticipate when you can go.
  • When the signal has stopped, check to the left and right up the line and if it’s safe to go, drive over the railway crossing.

At a crossing that is uncontrolled:

  • Treat this crossing as you would with a crossing controlled by a Give Way sign.

Perform the tasks three times.

Previous (27) | Next (29)