Permis PrêtRailway crossings: when must you stop, and how far from the tracks?
What the Highway Safety Code says at level crossings, which vehicles stop every time, and the demerit points.
Short answer: you must stop at least 5 metres from the nearest rail when lights, a lowered gate or a railway employee signal that a train is coming, or as soon as you see or hear a train approaching. Never drive onto a crossing unless there is enough room ahead to clear it completely. Buses, minibuses and vehicles carrying placarded dangerous goods stop at every railway crossing unless a sign exempts them.
When you must stop
Under the Code de la sécurité routière (Quebec’s Highway Safety Code), drivers and cyclists must stop at least 5 metres from the railway track in any of these cases (s. 411):
- signals show that a train is approaching, such as the crossing lights: red lights that flash alternately;
- a gate is down;
- a railway employee signals that a train is coming;
- you can see or hear a train approaching, even if nothing at the crossing is working.
The SAAQ handbook explains that when the crossing lights are operating, they mean a train is approaching or present and you must stop before the crossing (Guide de la route, ch. 3, “Feux de passage à niveau”). On some roads where drivers would not expect a crossing, a “Prepare to stop” sign has yellow lights that start flashing when the crossing lights are about to turn red (ch. 3).
If there is a stop sign at the crossing, you must stop, and you may only continue once you have made sure you can cross safely (s. 368).
Never get stuck on the tracks
- You may not drive onto a railway crossing unless there is enough space in front of your vehicle to cross it completely, even if traffic lights let you go (s. 412). In a traffic jam, wait before the rails.
- Except in case of necessity, you may not stop a vehicle on a railway crossing or within 5 metres of it (s. 386, para. 4). A “no stopping on the railway track” sign may also be posted (Guide de la route, ch. 3, “Arrêt interdit sur la voie ferrée”).
Vehicles that stop at every crossing
Drivers of buses, minibuses, and vehicles carrying dangerous goods in quantities that require danger placards must stop at least 5 metres from every railway crossing, train or no train. They may only continue after making sure they can cross safely (s. 413, first paragraph).
They are exempt at crossings where a sign says so (s. 413, second paragraph; s. 414). According to the handbook, these exemption signs are used where the track is abandoned, or rail traffic is rare and special safety measures are in place (ch. 3, “Exemption d’arrêt à un passage à niveau”).
In practice, with a Class 5 licence: if you are behind a bus, expect it to stop before the tracks even when no train is coming, and keep your distance.
No passing near a railway crossing
You may not pass by using the lane for oncoming traffic when approaching a railway crossing or on it (s. 345, para. 2).
Demerit points
| Offence | Points |
|---|---|
| Failing to make a mandatory stop at a railway crossing (s. 411) | 3 |
| Failing to stop at a railway crossing while driving a bus, a minibus or a vehicle carrying certain dangerous goods (s. 413) | 9 |
| Prohibited passing in the oncoming lane, including near a railway crossing (s. 345) | 4 |
| Failing to obey a stop sign (s. 368) | 3 |
Source: Regulation respecting demerit points, Schedule, items 13, 20, 22 and 23. Driving onto a crossing without room to clear it (s. 412) and stopping on a crossing (s. 386) are not listed in that schedule.
Key points for the test
- Lights, a lowered gate, a railway employee, or a train you can see or hear: stop at least 5 metres from the track.
- Never stop on the rails: only drive onto a crossing if you can clear it completely, even on a green light.
- No stopping on a railway crossing or within 5 metres of it.
- Buses, minibuses and placarded dangerous goods: stop at every crossing, unless a sign exempts them.
- No passing in the oncoming lane when approaching a railway crossing.
- Skipping the mandatory stop: 3 points; for a bus or dangerous-goods vehicle: 9 points.
Original questions with an explanation and a source, “Highway Safety Code” section.
Practise for free
See also
- Free SAAQ practice test: 15 questions
- School bus with flashing red lights in Québec: what do you do?
- Yellow road lines in Quebec: when is passing allowed?
- Where is parking prohibited in Quebec? The distances to know
- Quebec road signs: what do the shapes and colours mean?
Official sources
- Code de la sécurité routière (Highway Safety Code, CQLR c. C-24.2), ss. 345, 368, 386, 411, 412, 413 and 414
- Regulation respecting demerit points (CQLR c. C-24.2, r. 37), Schedule, items 13, 20, 22 and 23
- SAAQ, Guide de la route (4th ed., 2024, French), ch. 3, “Feux de passage à niveau”, “Exemption d’arrêt à un passage à niveau”, “Arrêt interdit sur la voie ferrée”, “Préparez-vous à arrêter”; ch. 4, “L’approche d’un passage à niveau”
General information page, current as of 2026-10-29. If in doubt, the official text prevails. Rules can change: check saaq.gouv.qc.ca and legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca.