Trains and level crossings

Railway level crossings

A railway level crossing is an intersection where a train line crosses a road at the same level. The crossing may have level crossing signs and/or yellow criss-cross lines painted on the road. 

Always keep tracks clear

When driving around level crossings, you must:  

• obey all signs and signals, including stop and give way signs
• keep train tracks clear and never enter a level crossing unless there’s room on the other side
• never drive through boom gates that are shut, going up or coming down
• never stop in areas painted with yellow lines.

You must always keep tracks clear, even if you can’t see a train.

If a level crossing has gates, boom gates or flashing lights, you must wait until the signals stop flashing and the gates are fully open. 

Tips for driving around train tracks

• Get into the habit of stopping, looking and listening for any sign of a train.  
• Not every level crossing has warning bells and lights. For your own safety, always expect a train to be coming.  
• Always keep train tracks clear, slow down and be prepared to stop.
• Trains can be travelling in either direction along the same track and on multiple tracks. Be alert for more than one train passing through the crossing at the same time.
• Never rely on a timetable to know if a train is due.
• Never race a train to a railway crossing.
• Trains in the distance are often closer and travelling faster than they appear. 

Rules for driving around level crossings

The rules for sharing the road with trains and level crossings are published in the Road Safety Road Rules 2017.

• Part 10 - Level crossings (Rule 120-124)  
• Rule 235 - Crossing a level crossing
• Rule 235A - Crossing a pedestrian level crossing that has a red pedestrian light