Blocked crossing laws
How long can a train block a crossing in California?
California law limits a train to 10 minutes blocking a road crossing, under CPUC General Order No. 135 (adopted 1974). A court has held that federal law preempts this limit, so it generally cannot be enforced against railroads. Checked 16 October 2026.
The rule
A California Public Utilities Commission order says a stopped freight train blocking a public crossing must clear it within 10 minutes if a vehicle or person is waiting, but a California appeals court ruled in 2012 that federal law stops it from being enforced.
Exceptions and local rules
The order does not apply to passenger trains, to a moving train continuing in the same direction, or when no vehicle or pedestrian is waiting. Switching may not occupy a crossing for more than 10 minutes in a row if someone is waiting. It also does not apply to blocking caused by compliance with state or federal law, terrain, adverse weather, track or roadbed conditions, mechanical failure, train accidents or other events outside the railroad's control (the crossing must still be cleared with reasonable dispatch). Agreements with public agencies and commission-approved variances for specific crossings prevail. Crews must take reasonable steps to clear a crossing when police, fire or emergency vehicle operators report an emergency.
a public grade crossing which is blocked by a stopped train, other than a passenger train, must be opened within 10 minutes, unless no vehicle or pedestrian is waiting at the crossing.
Does federal law override it?
No federal law sets a time limit for a train blocking a crossing. Federal law does control how railroads run trains, and courts have used it to set aside state time limits.
When a court holds a state limit preempted, the state cannot enforce it against the railroad. A limit no court has ruled on is still on the books, but railroads may challenge it the same way.
Where to report a blocked crossing
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) takes blocked crossing reports from the public for every state.
Report to the FRA blocked crossing reporter
We found no California state page for blocked crossing reports, so the FRA reporter is the place to report.
If a train is blocking the crossing right now, call the railroad on the number shown on the blue sign at the crossing.
Crossings in California
California has 5,439 public crossings in the FRA crossing inventory.