Railroad crossings — Oregon Permit Test

When required to stop at a railroad crossing, stop at the stop line, and where there is no stop line stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail.

Fifteen feet is outside the swing of a train, which overhangs its rails by more than most drivers expect.

When required to stop, do so at the stop line. If there is no stop line, stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail.

Stop before railroad tracks when flashing red lights are activated, when an approaching train is clearly visible or so close that crossing would be hazardous, when a stop sign is posted even if you see no train, or when a flagger signals you to stop.

The stop sign case is the one drivers skip, and it applies whether or not anything is coming.

A stop sign is posted, even if you do not see a train coming.

It is against the law to drive around or under a crossing gate while it is down or while it is being raised or lowered.

A gate in motion is a gate that is about to be needed, and going under it commits you to the tracks with no way back.

It is against the law to drive around or under a crossing gate – while down or while being raised or lowered – and it is extremely dangerous.

Only cross railroad tracks if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing, never stop on the tracks, and never try to beat a train — the train you see is closer than it seems and trains cannot stop quickly.

Judging a train's distance and speed is something people are reliably bad at, which is why the rule is never rather than rarely.

Only cross the tracks if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing.

All school buses, hazmat vehicles and some school activity vehicles must stop at railroad tracks, so be prepared to stop when following these vehicles.

The vehicle in front stopping at empty tracks looks like a mistake, and rear-ending it is the common outcome.

All school buses, hazmat vehicles and some school activity vehicles must stop at railroad tracks. Be prepared to stop when following these vehicles.

If a vehicle, person or object is stuck on railroad tracks, get out of the vehicle and away from the tracks even if you see no train; if a train approaches, move at a 45 degree angle from the tracks in the direction the train is coming from so you are not hit with debris.

Running away from the train means running into the path the wreckage takes; moving towards it at an angle is what clears that path.

If a train approaches, move at a 45 degree angle from the tracks in the direction of the train so you are not hit with debris.

If something is stuck on the tracks and it is safe, look for an Emergency Notification System sign on a post at the crossing to notify the railroads so they can alert incoming trains.

It is the only way to stop a train that has not reached the crossing yet, and the number is posted for exactly this.

look for an Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign located on a post at the crossing near the tracks to notify the railroads of the obstruction in the tracks so they can alert incoming trains.

With no stop line, how far from the nearest rail must a driver stop?

At least 15 feet. Fifteen feet is outside the swing of a train, which overhangs its rails by more than most drivers expect. 2026-2027 Oregon Driver Manual, p.64: “When required to stop, do so at the stop line. If there is no stop line, stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail.”