Railway crossingDenmark

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Denmark. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


11. Railway crossing

A railway crossing, also called a level crossing or railroad crossing, is a place where a road or path crosses railway tracks at the same level. It may be protected by barriers, warning lights, bells, traffic signs or a combination of these measures.

Road users must approach carefully and never enter when a train is approaching, warning signals are active or the exit is blocked. They should cross promptly and must never stop, wait or become trapped on the tracks.

Railway crossing at Strandvejen. (Køge, Denmark)
Wikimedia.org • Leif Jørgensen • CC BY-SA
When must drivers stop at a railway level crossing in Denmark?

Do not cross when a train can be seen or heard approaching, when a crossing signal requires a stop, when barriers are closed or moving in either direction, or when railway staff indicate that a train is approaching. Stop a safe distance before the tracks and before the signal or barrier. Obey any STOP sign and cross without unnecessary delay when it is safe.

🔗 retsinformation.dk • Denmark, Road Traffic Act, consolidated Act 118 of 12 January 2026

Warning for a railway crossing with barriers. Warning for a railway crossing with barriers.

English • Traffic sign A 73 • Level crossing with barriers.

Dansk • Tavle A 73 • Jernbaneoverkørsel med bomme.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Retsinformation.dk • Bekendtgørelse nr. 425/2023, § 13

SVG source: Gigillo83, drawn by original of Vejdirektoratet • Public domain • Original revision 2013-06-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for a railway crossing without barriers. Warning for a railway crossing without barriers.

English • Traffic sign A 72 • Level crossing without barriers. Plate UB 11,1 ‘Advance warning of Stop’ warns of a stop requirement at the crossing. The distance to the crossing appears on the plate.

Dansk • Tavle A 72 • Jernbaneoverkørsel uden bomme. Undertavle UB 11,1 Forvarsling for Stop bruges til forvarsling af stop ved jernbaneoverkørsel. Afstand til jernbaneoverkørslen angives på undertavlen.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Retsinformation.dk • Bekendtgørelse nr. 425/2023, § 13

SVG source: Gigillo83, drawn by original of Vejdirektoratet • Public domain • Original revision 2013-06-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for a railway crossing with one track. Warning for a railway crossing with one track.

English • Traffic sign A 74,1 • Crossbuck for a single-track level crossing.

Dansk • Tavle A 74,1 • Krydsmærke for enkeltsporet jernbaneoverkørsel.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Retsinformation.dk • Bekendtgørelse nr. 425/2023, § 13

SVG source: Gigillo83, drawn by original of Vejdirektoratet • Public domain • Original revision 2013-06-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for a railway crossing with two or more tracks. Warning for a railway crossing with two or more tracks.

English • Traffic sign A 74,2 • Crossbuck for a multi-track level crossing.

Dansk • Tavle A 74,2 • Krydsmærke for flersporet jernbaneoverkørsel.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Retsinformation.dk • Bekendtgørelse nr. 425/2023, § 13

SVG source: Gigillo83, drawn by original of Vejdirektoratet • Public domain • Original revision 2013-06-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Must I stop at every unguarded railway crossing in Denmark?

The Road Traffic Act does not impose a universal stop merely because a crossing has no barriers. Approach with special care, look and listen, and keep a speed that lets you stop before the tracks. Obey any STOP sign and do not cross when a train can be seen or heard approaching or another crossing control requires you to stop.

🔗 retsinformation.dk • Denmark, Road Traffic Act, consolidated Act 118 of 12 January 2026

What if road traffic is queued beyond a railway crossing in Denmark?

Wait before the tracks until there is room to take your entire vehicle off the crossing. Do not follow another vehicle onto the tracks without checking the exit. Keep the tracks clear even if no train is visible.

🔗 retsinformation.dk • Denmark, Road Traffic Act, consolidated Act 118 of 12 January 2026

1 Denmark 2 Motorway 3 Built-up area 4 Speed limit 5 Footpath 6 Bike path 7 Pedestrian zone 8 Bus stop 9 Give way 10 Roundabout 11 Railway crossing 12 Crossing animals 13 Wrong-way driving 14 Selective barriers 15 Traffic lights 16 Pedestrian lights 17 Road markings 18 Driving licence 19 Traffic mirror 20 International border 21 Cycling route 22 Parking 23 No parking 24 No stopping 25 Parallel parking 26 Parking meter 27 Parking disc 28 Disabled parking 29 Traffic management 30 Reversing 31 Emergency exit 32 Licence plate 33 Charging station 34 Dangers 35 Cyclist 36 Bus 37 Police 38 Ambulance 39 European emission standard 40 Pothole 41 Path 42 Particulates 43 Air pollution 44 Rush hour 45 Road code 46 Street gutter 47 Cargo bike 48 Forestry vehicle 49 Construction vehicle 50 Semi-trailer truck 51 Trolleybus 52 Speed pedelec 53 Delivery vehicle 54 Idling 55 Tow truck 56 Four-wheel drive 57 No vehicles 58 Bicycle 59 Motorcycle equipment 60 Tram 61 Rail track 62 Caravan 63 Trailer 64 Tow hitch 65 Fire truck 66 Siren 67 Convoy 68 Emergency vehicle lighting 69 Agricultural machinery 70 Electric bicycle 71 Electric vehicle 72 Pedelec 73 Quadricycle 74 Microcar 75 All-terrain vehicle 76 Van 77 Recreational vehicle 78 Scooter 79 Trikke 80 Personal mobility device 81 Skateboard 82 Segway 83 Kick scooter 84 Roller skates 85 Mailman 86 Hitchhiker 87 Toddler 88 Child 89 Disability 90 Commercial vehicle 91 Motorail 92 Garbage truck 93 Parking violation 94 km/h 95 mph 96 Speedometer 97 National speed 98 Ride height 99 Dirt road 100 Driving ...