Railroad crossing signs and what they mean

The MUTCD calls a place where a road crosses railroad tracks a grade crossing. The crossbuck marks the crossing itself, and a round yellow advance warning sign comes before it (Part 8, Sections 8B.03 and 8B.06). Where there are two or more tracks, a plaque below the crossbuck says how many (Section 8B.03).

Other signs tell you where to stop when the flashing lights are on, and not to stop on the tracks where traffic can back up onto them (Sections 8B.07 and 8B.09).

US railroad crossing signs

• Railroad crossbuck signA railroad crossing: yield to trains.
• Railroad crossing ahead signA railroad crossing is ahead.
• Number of tracks plaqueThe crossing has more than one track.
• Do not stop on tracks signNever stop on the railroad tracks.
• Stop here when flashing signStop here when the crossing lights flash.
• Exempt railroad crossing plaqueSome vehicles need not stop here.
• Tracks out of service signThe tracks at this crossing are not in use.
• Do not drive on tracks signDo not drive on the light rail tracks.
• Look sign at a rail crossingPedestrians: look both ways for trains.

Test yourself

Railroad crossings

Question 1 of 3

1. What does this sign mean?

   

   • A A railroad crossing: yield to trains Right
   • B A railroad crossing is ahead
   • C Slow down and let other traffic go first
   • D Come to a full stop, then go when it is safe

   The right answer is A: A railroad crossing: yield to trains

   WhyRailroad crossbuck sign. The crossbuck marks a railroad crossing. In most states it means you must yield to trains: slow down, look and listen, and stop if a train is coming.

   Source: MUTCD 11th Edition, Part 8, Traffic Control for Railroad and Light Rail Transit Grade Crossings: Sections 8B.03, 8B.04, FHWA, MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA

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2. What does this sign mean?

   

   • A A railroad crossing is ahead Right
   • B Traffic lights are ahead
   • C A railroad crossing: yield to trains
   • D A STOP sign is coming up

   The right answer is A: A railroad crossing is ahead

   WhyRailroad crossing ahead sign. The round yellow sign with an X and two Rs warns of a railroad crossing ahead. Slow down, look and listen for trains, and be ready to stop.

   Source: MUTCD 11th Edition, Part 8, Traffic Control for Railroad and Light Rail Transit Grade Crossings: Section 8B.06, FHWA, MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2A, General (signs): Section 2A.05, FHWA, MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA

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3. Red lights are flashing at a railroad crossing, but the gate is still raised and you cannot see a train. No officer is directing traffic. What should you do?

   • A Stop before the tracks; wait until the lights stop and it is safe Right
   • B Cross slowly while watching for a train in both directions
   • C Continue across because the raised gate permits travel
   • D Stop only if a train becomes visible near the crossing

   The right answer is A: Stop before the tracks; wait until the lights stop and it is safe

   WhyFlashing crossing lights mean stop before the tracks; a raised gate does not cancel them.

   Source: UVC § 11-701(a) Obedience to signal indicating approach of train (model law)

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Sources

Checked on 3 November 2026 against the MUTCD 11th Edition (FHWA) sections below.

1. MUTCD 11th Edition, Part 8, Traffic Control for Railroad and Light Rail Transit Grade Crossings: Sections 8B.03, 8B.06, 8B.07, 8B.09, 8B.11, FHWA
2. MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA. FHWA lists the current version as the 11th Edition with Revision 1, dated December 2025

Sign pictures are our own simplified drawings of the MUTCD designs, which are in the public domain (MUTCD Section 1D.06). Sources and image credits.