Railway Level Crossing Rules in Australia

Photo: Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

At a railway level crossing in Australia, you must stop for a Stop sign, flashing red lights, a lowered boom or gate, or a railway worker’s signal. You must never enter a crossing unless you can clear it completely. This explainer covers when to stop, when you may go, where you cannot park, and what to do if your car stalls on the tracks.

Key facts

Stop when: there is a Stop sign, a gate or boom is down, red lights are flashing, or a railway employee signals you.
Give way sign: slow down, look both ways and stop if a train is coming.
Do not enter if the road on the far side is blocked. Know your vehicle’s length.
Wait until the lights stop flashing and booms are fully up. A second train may follow.
No stopping or parking on a crossing or within 20 metres either side, unless a sign allows it.
Stalled with a train coming: get everyone out of the car immediately (WA).

When you must stop at a level crossing

NSW, the NT and WA list the same core situations. You must stop when:

there is a Stop sign. Stop at the Stop line, or before the sign if there is no line (WA)
a gate is closed, or a boom gate is down, opening or closing
red lights are flashing or warning bells are ringing
a railway employee signals you to stop

WA adds two more:

you can see or hear a train and there is any chance of a collision
traffic ahead would stop you clearing the yellow “Keep Clear at all times” cross-hatching

The ACT list includes warning lights such as twin red lights or rotating red lights, and trams as well as trains.

Give way signs at crossings

Slow down, look both ways, and stop if a train is coming (NSW). In Tasmania, give way to any train approaching or entering the crossing.

Where to stop if there is no line

WA Drive Safe says stop well clear, at least three metres from the nearest rail. A train can be up to one metre wider than the tracks on each side.

When you can drive on

The lights have stopped flashing and the bells have stopped ringing.
Gates or booms are fully open. Never drive around, under or through a boom that is down, rising or lowering (WA).
You have checked both ways for another train. In Tasmania, wait for the lights to stop even after a train has passed. WA warns that in peak periods three or four trains may pass before the crossing clears.
There is room on the far side for your whole vehicle.

Leave the crossing as soon as you can do so safely (ACT).

Crossings with no lights or booms

Many country crossings have only signs. Take extra care. Slow down as you see the warning sign, and look and listen for trains in both directions. If you stop for one train, check another is not coming before you move off (NSW, VIC, NT). Trains do not always run to schedule, especially in the country (WA, VIC). The NT has more than 200 level crossings, some with only signs.

Why you must never get stuck on the tracks

The NT handbook says a freight train at 60 km/h can take up to 800 metres to stop, compared with 58 metres for a car. Victoria warns that a train will not be able to stop in time, whatever is stuck on the crossing.

If traffic is queued on the far side, wait behind the stop line until there is room to get all the way across (NT, VIC).
Never stop on the yellow box or cross-hatched area (VIC, WA).
Never cross a railway line where there is no crossing. Even four-wheel drives can get stuck on the tracks (NT).

What to do if you stall on a railway crossing

This is WA Drive Safe’s procedure.

If you can see or hear a train coming

Get out of the car immediately with all your passengers, and move well away. Do not risk your life trying to save the car.

If no train is coming

Try once or twice to restart the engine. Do not flatten the battery.
If it will not start, get out and find help to push the car off the track.
Automatic: select Neutral (N) and push it clear.
Manual: you may be able to move it off the track this way:
- put it in first or reverse
- release the clutch and take your feet off all the pedals
- turn the key to the start position and hold it
The car should move far enough to clear the track.

Other breakdown and emergency procedures: car emergencies: tyre blow outs, brake failure, skids and stuck accelerators.

Stopping, parking and overtaking near crossings

Do not stop or park on a level crossing, or within 20 metres before or after one, unless a sign allows it (NSW, WA, TAS, NT).
Do not overtake a vehicle that is slowing or stopped at a railway crossing (NSW, WA, NT).
Do not overtake on the approach to a crossing. It is never a good place to pass (VIC).

Tram crossings

Victoria’s handbook says the same rules apply at tram level crossings: obey the tram crossing signs. The ACT rules cover trams too, and say not to enter if your vehicle or load could come close to overhead tram wires. Victorian tram rules: driving with trams in Victoria.

Signs and markings to recognise

The cross-shaped “Railway crossing” sign, often paired with a Stop or Give way sign.
Yellow diamond warning signs: crossing ahead, crossing with flashing lights ahead, or crossing on a side road.
Yellow box or cross-hatched “Keep Clear” markings on the road.

See Australian road signs explained and giving way in Australia.

Common questions

Can I cross once the train has passed but the lights are still flashing?

No. Wait until the lights stop and the booms are fully up. Another train may be coming.

Can I go around a boom gate that is stuck down?

No. You must not drive through, around or under any gate, boom or barrier that is down, rising or lowering (WA).

How far from a level crossing can I park?

At least 20 metres from either side, unless a sign says otherwise.

What if traffic stops while I am on the crossing?

Do not start across unless there is room on the far side for your whole vehicle. If you are already on it, keep moving or get clear. If you stall, follow the steps above.

Do I have to stop at every crossing?

Only where there is a Stop sign, signals or a closed gate or boom, a railway worker tells you to, or a train is coming. At every crossing, slow down and look and listen.

Are there level crossings in Canberra?

The ACT handbook says there are few tramway and railway crossings in the ACT, and the same rules apply.

Sources

Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook” (nsw.gov.au)
Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, “Road to Solo Driving” (transport.vic.gov.au)
Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe: A handbook for Western Australian road users” (transport.wa.gov.au)
Department of State Growth Tasmania, “Tasmanian Road Rules, Version 2.1” (transport.tas.gov.au)
Access Canberra, “ACT Road Rules Handbook” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
Northern Territory Government, “NT Road Users’ Handbook” (nt.gov.au)

Railway Level Crossing Rules in Australia: Stopping and Stalling