CVC 22452(b)Eligible for written declaration

Required Vehicle Not Stopping at a Railroad Crossing

The driver of a vehicle listed in Vehicle Code 22452(a), such as a bus carrying passengers or a school bus carrying pupils, not stopping 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail to look and listen before crossing, or proceeding before it is safe.

Reviewed by the TicketClear teamLast reviewed October 10, 2026

Fine: check your notice or your court's bail scheduleDMV Points: 1

Insurance: insurers must weigh your driving safety record first (Insurance Code 1861.02(a)), and more than one point in the previous three years ends Good Driver Discount eligibility (Insurance Code 1861.025(b)(1)).

This guide is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. TicketClear is a self-help document preparation service — we are not attorneys and do not represent clients. Review all prepared documents carefully before submitting. Fine amounts are estimates and vary by county and surcharge schedule.

What is a Required Vehicle Not Stopping at a Railroad Crossing ticket?

CVC 22452(b) says that before traversing a railroad grade crossing, the driver of a vehicle described in subdivision (a) shall stop not less than 15 nor more than 50 feet from the nearest rail of the track, and while stopped shall listen, and look in both directions along the track, for an approaching train or on-track equipment and for signals indicating one, and shall not proceed until it can be done safely; upon proceeding, the gears shall not be shifted manually while crossing the tracks. Subdivision (a) lists the vehicles, including a bus or farm labor vehicle carrying passengers, a motortruck transporting employees in addition to those riding in the cab, a schoolbus or school pupil activity bus transporting school pupils, and the commercial motor vehicles and cargo tank motor vehicles carrying the hazardous materials it names. Subdivision (d) lists crossings where a stop need not be made, such as where a traffic officer or an official traffic control signal directs traffic to proceed.

Ask your insurer how a conviction affects your policy.

What the Law Says

(b) Before traversing a railroad grade crossing, the driver of a vehicle described in subdivision (a) shall stop that vehicle not less than 15 nor more than 50 feet from the nearest rail of the track and while so stopped shall listen, and look in both directions along the track, for an approaching train or on-track equipment and for signals indicating the approach of a train or on-track equipment, and shall not proceed until he or she can do so safely. Upon proceeding, the gears shall not be shifted manually while crossing the tracks.

What the Officer Must Prove

1You were driving a vehicle described in CVC 22452(a)
2You traversed a railroad grade crossing
3Before crossing, you did not stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail and listen and look in both directions along the track, you proceeded before you could do so safely, or you shifted gears manually while crossing the tracks
4The crossing was not one where CVC 22452(d) says a stop need not be made

Arguments Commonly Raised for Required Vehicle Not Stopping at a Railroad Crossing

General information: arguments drivers commonly raise for this code section. Whether any applies depends on your own facts.

Your vehicle

CVC 22452(b) applies to the vehicles described in CVC 22452(a). Describe your vehicle and who or what it was carrying.

Traffic officer or signal

CVC 22452(d)(2): a stop need not be made where a traffic officer or an official traffic control signal directs traffic to proceed.

Tracks along the roadway or an exempt sign

CVC 22452(d)(1), (3) and (4): a stop need not be made at railroad tracks running along and upon the roadway within a business or residence district, where an exempt sign was authorized by the Public Utilities Commission before January 1, 1978, or where an official railroad crossing stop exempt sign has been placed under Section 22452.5 (this last one does not apply to a schoolbus or school pupil activity bus transporting school pupils).

Where you stopped

Describe where you stopped, how far it was from the nearest rail, and what you did before crossing.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

✗Missing the response date on your notice
✗Not keeping your vehicle's registration and cargo papers

What this code section covers (general information)

CVC 22452(b) — Required Vehicle Not Stopping at a Railroad Crossing. The driver of a vehicle listed in Vehicle Code 22452(a), such as a bus carrying passengers or a school bus carrying pupils, not stopping 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail to look and listen before crossing, or proceeding before it is safe.

This is a fixed-rule section: it describes a specific act or limit. Disputes under sections like this usually turn on the facts — what happened, where, and how it was observed or measured.

Eligible for Trial by Written Declaration: generally yes.

This is general information about CVC 22452(b). It is not advice about your citation, and TicketClear does not evaluate anyone's facts. Whether any of it applies depends on your own facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed California attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions About Required Vehicle Not Stopping at a Railroad Crossing

Which vehicles must stop at railroad crossings under CVC 22452(b)?▼

The vehicles described in CVC 22452(a), including a bus or farm labor vehicle carrying passengers, a motortruck transporting employees in addition to those riding in the cab, a schoolbus or school pupil activity bus transporting school pupils, and the commercial motor vehicles and cargo tank motor vehicles carrying the hazardous materials it names.

How far from the tracks must the vehicle stop?▼

CVC 22452(b) says not less than 15 nor more than 50 feet from the nearest rail of the track.

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Related Violations

CVC 22451(a)CVC 22450(b)