By law, all commercial motor vehicles that carry passengers or hazardous materials must stop at every railroad crossing. Drivers must stop, look, and listen for trains or warning signals before going over the tracks. See RCW 46.61.350.
Exceptions
Washington state law follows the Code of Federal Regulations for commercial motor vehicle drivers. Both laws include some cases when stopping is not required.
Commercial motor vehicle drivers do not have to stop at a crossing when:
- The UTC has approved an Exempt sign or said that stopping is not required under RCW 81.53.060.
- A police officer or flagger is directing traffic.
- A working traffic light shows a green signal.
- The tracks are only used for streetcars or industrial switching.
- The crossing is marked with a Tracks Out of Service sign.
Petitions to Install Exempt Signs
Exempt signs tell drivers of commercial motor vehicles carrying passengers or hazardous materials that they do not need to stop at certain crossings—unless a train is coming, on the tracks, or the driver’s view is blocked.
City or county governments can petition the UTC to install an Exempt sign. The UTC can approve exempt signs only at crossings on industrial or spur lines, not on main line tracks. The UTC cannot approve signs inside first-class cities. Those cities have their own authority to allow exempt signs.
To get a copy of the current petition or to learn more, email Rail@utc.wa.gov.
For general information about the UTC petition process, visit the Rail Crossing Changes page.