Railroad crossings — Florida Permit Test

Approaching a highway-railroad crossing, slow down and be ready to stop, and do not stop on the tracks or within 15 feet of the crossing.

A train overhangs its rails by several feet, so standing close is still standing in the way.

When approaching a highway-railroad crossing, slow down and be ready to stop. Do not stop on the railroad tracks or within 15 feet of the crossing.

You must stop at a railroad crossing if the warning devices are flashing, if the gate is lowered, if a flagger is warning of a train, or if an approaching train is clearly visible.

Any one of the four is enough on its own, and waiting for a second one costs you the time.

an approaching train is clearly visible.

When the flashing red lights at a crossing begin to flash, stop immediately: a train is approaching.

The lights start well before the train arrives, and that margin is all you get.

Flashing Red Light Signals. At many crossings, the crossbuck sign has flashing red lights and bells. When the lights begin to flash, stop immediately! A train is approaching.

It is against the law to drive around or under a crossing gate, whether it is down or being opened or closed.

The gate is down because a train is coming, and going around it puts you on the rails.

It's against the law to drive around or under a crossing gate—either down or while being opened or closed.

Where there is more than one track, make sure all tracks are clear before crossing.

The train that just passed can be hiding a second one coming the other way.

If there is more than one track, make sure all tracks are clear before crossing.

In heavy traffic, make sure there is room for your vehicle on the other side of the track before you cross.

Stopping on the rails because the traffic ahead did not move is how cars get hit.

In heavy traffic, make sure there is room for your vehicle on the other side of the track before crossing.

Be prepared to stop when following buses or trucks, because many are required to stop at railroad crossings even when the gates are up and the lights are not flashing.

The bus in front of you will stop at a crossing that looks completely clear.

Be prepared to stop especially when following buses or trucks; many are required to stop at railroad crossings even when gates are up/lights are not flashing.

Trains often travel faster than they appear and cannot stop quickly, so do not try to beat a train.

A train coming head-on gives almost no sense of speed until it is very close.

Trains are often traveling faster than they appear and they cannot stop quickly.

A dynamic envelope is marked with white roadway markings shaped like connecting X’s, showing the danger zone where road users should not stop.

It marks how far a train hangs over the rails, which is further than most people expect.

Dynamic Envelope. White roadway markings in the shape of connecting X’s used to visually highlight the danger zone where road users should not stop.

How close to a railroad crossing may you stop?

No closer than 15 feet from it. A train overhangs its rails by several feet, so standing close is still standing in the way. Official Florida Driver License Handbook, p.56: “When approaching a highway-railroad crossing, slow down and be ready to stop. Do not stop on the railroad tracks or within 15 feet of the crossing.”