7D Specific Regulations for Railroad Crossings 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: At what distance from railroad tracks must a school bus stop before crossing?
- 5 to 10 feet
- 15 to 50 feet (Correct answer)
- 100 feet
- 200 feet
Correct answer: 15 to 50 feet
California law requires school buses to stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail before crossing railroad tracks.
Under California Vehicle Code, a school bus driver must stop the vehicle between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail of any railroad track before crossing. This specific distance range ensures the bus is close enough to see clearly along the tracks while remaining far enough back to stop safely if a train appears. After stopping, the driver must listen and look in both directions before proceeding.
Question 2: A school bus is at a railroad crossing and the signal arms start to lower as the bus begins to cross. What should the driver do?
- Stop immediately on the tracks and wait
- Reverse back off the tracks
- Accelerate and clear the tracks as quickly as possible (Correct answer)
- Activate the hazard lights and wait for the train to pass
Correct answer: Accelerate and clear the tracks as quickly as possible
If the bus has started crossing and signals activate, the driver must accelerate to clear the tracks immediately — stopping on tracks is extremely dangerous.
If warning signals activate while the bus is already on or crossing the tracks, the driver must immediately accelerate to clear the crossing. Stopping on the tracks places students in the direct path of an approaching train. Once committed to crossing, the safest action is to complete the crossing quickly. This is why drivers must never start crossing if there is any doubt about clearing the tracks — if uncertain, wait before beginning the crossing.
Question 3: What must a school bus driver do with windows and the passenger service door at a railroad crossing before crossing?
- Close all windows and keep the door closed
- Open a window and the passenger service door to listen for trains (Correct answer)
- Open all windows but keep the door closed
- Honk the horn and proceed without stopping if no train is visible
Correct answer: Open a window and the passenger service door to listen for trains
Drivers must open a window and the passenger service door to listen for approaching trains — visual checking alone is insufficient at some crossings.
California law requires school bus drivers to open a forward window (or the driver's window) and the passenger service door before crossing railroad tracks. This allows the driver to hear any approaching trains in addition to looking. Some crossings have obstructed sightlines, and the sound of a train horn may be the only warning. The door and window must be opened before the driver looks both ways along the tracks and determines it is safe to proceed.
Question 4: Under what circumstances is a school bus NOT required to stop at a railroad crossing in California?
- When students are not on board and the driver has verified no train is coming
- At crossings marked with a 'Exempt' sign by state or local authority (Correct answer)
- When traffic behind the bus is heavy and stopping would cause a traffic jam
- When the crossing has been recently inspected by CHP
Correct answer: At crossings marked with a 'Exempt' sign by state or local authority
Crossings marked 'Exempt' by appropriate authority are the only exception to the mandatory stop requirement for school buses.
California Vehicle Code provides a narrow exception: a school bus is not required to stop at a railroad crossing if the crossing is marked with an official 'Exempt' sign authorized by the California Public Utilities Commission or appropriate authority. These signs indicate the crossing has been evaluated and poses no active rail hazard (e.g., abandoned tracks, a private crossing with controls). In all other situations, stopping is mandatory regardless of student load or traffic conditions.
Question 5: How many lanes of traffic must a school bus driver verify are clear before proceeding across a multi-track railroad crossing?
- Only the lane the bus will occupy
- All tracks — the bus must not proceed until it can completely clear all tracks without stopping (Correct answer)
- Two tracks minimum — the driver can judge the rest
- Only the track with active signal equipment
Correct answer: All tracks — the bus must not proceed until it can completely clear all tracks without stopping
At a multi-track crossing, the driver must not begin crossing until there is enough space to completely clear all tracks without stopping.
At crossings with multiple tracks, drivers face an additional hazard: a train on one track may mask a second train on an adjacent track. The driver must ensure that: the bus can completely clear ALL tracks without stopping, there is enough space on the far side of the crossing for the entire bus, and no train is approaching on any track. Never begin a multi-track crossing unless you can complete it without stopping on any portion of the tracks.
Question 6: What must a driver do if the bus stalls on railroad tracks with students on board?
- Remain in the bus and restart the engine
- Immediately evacuate all students away from the tracks and call 911 (Correct answer)
- Activate hazard lights and wait for the engine to cool
- Send students to the rear of the bus and brace for impact
Correct answer: Immediately evacuate all students away from the tracks and call 911
Students must be immediately evacuated and moved away from the tracks — a stalled bus on tracks is a life-threatening emergency.
If a school bus stalls on railroad tracks, every second counts. The driver must immediately evacuate all students using the safest available exit, directing them to move at least 100 feet away from the tracks in the direction from which a train would not push the bus. The driver must then call 911 and, if possible, contact the railroad company's emergency number (posted at most crossings) to stop approaching trains. Never wait to see if the engine will restart while students remain on a stalled bus on tracks.
7D Specific Regulations for Railroad Crossings 2
At what distance from railroad tracks must a school bus stop before crossing?