Railway crossingUruguay

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Uruguay. 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.

Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Uruguay

6. 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 in Santa Lucía. (Canelones Department, Uruguay)
Wikimedia.org • TaLu13 • CC BY

When must drivers stop at a railway level crossing in Uruguay?

All drivers must stop before a railway level crossing under article 20. Continue only after checking that there is no collision risk. Obey the crossing’s signals and barriers; the duty to stop is not limited to times when a train warning is active.

🔗 impo.com.uy • Uruguay, Law 18,191, article 20, railway crossings

Must I stop at every unguarded railway crossing in Uruguay?

Yes. Article 20 requires all drivers to stop before a railway level crossing and check that there is no collision risk before continuing. Missing barriers or a separate STOP sign do not remove that duty.

🔗 impo.com.uy • Uruguay, Law 18,191, article 20, railway crossings

Warning for a railway crossing with barriers.

English • Traffic sign P-39 • Level crossing with barriers. Obey crossing signals and never pass while the barrier is closed or moving.

Español • P-39 • Paso a nivel con barrera. Advierte un cruce ferroviario provisto de barrera. Obedece las señales del cruce y nunca pases con la barrera cerrada o en movimiento.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, Norma Uruguaya de Señalización Vertical, PDF p. 100
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, significado, PDF p. 48
🔗 Gub.uy • UNASEV, Guía nacional de conducción, PDF p. 127

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Intendencia de Durazno • Public domain • Source revision 2014-03-12. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for a railway crossing without barriers.

English • Traffic sign P-38 • Level crossing without barriers. Reduce speed, check both directions and do not cross if a train approaches.

Español • P-38 • Paso a nivel sin barreras. Advierte un cruce ferroviario sin barreras. Reduce la velocidad, comprueba ambas direcciones y no cruces si se aproxima un tren.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, Norma Uruguaya de Señalización Vertical, PDF p. 100
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, significado, PDF p. 48

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Intendencia de Durazno • Public domain • Source revision 2014-03-12. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for a railway crossing with one track.

English • Traffic sign P-40 • Crossbuck. Marks a railway level crossing. Give way to trains and check that you can cross safely.

Español • P-40 • Cruz de San Andrés. Señala la ubicación de un cruce ferroviario a nivel. Cede el paso a los trenes y comprueba que puedes cruzar con seguridad.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, Norma Uruguaya de Señalización Vertical, PDF p. 100
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, significado, PDF p. 48

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Intendencia de Durazno • Public domain • Original revision 2018-04-10. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Uruguayan MTOP Norma Uruguaya de Señalización Vertical, currently published standard: Gub.uy • P-40, PDF page 100. Intentional educational illustration update from the previous PNG; original SVG unmodified.

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

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.

🔗 impo.com.uy • Uruguay, Law 18,191, article 20, railway crossings

Roundabout

Curve

1 Uruguay 2 Pedestrian warning 3 Speed bump 4 Stop sign 5 Roundabout 6 Railway crossing 7 Curve 8 Wrong-way driving 9 Traffic lights 10 Location marker 11 No parking 12 Reversing 13 Bus 14 Police 15 Ambulance 16 Pothole 17 Path 18 Particulates 19 Air pollution 20 Rush hour 21 Road code 22 Street gutter 23 Cargo bike 24 Forestry vehicle 25 Construction vehicle 26 Semi-trailer truck 27 Trolleybus 28 Speed pedelec 29 Delivery vehicle 30 Idling 31 Tow truck 32 Four-wheel drive 33 Bicycle 34 Motorcycle equipment 35 Rail track 36 Caravan 37 Trailer 38 Tow hitch 39 Siren 40 Convoy 41 Emergency vehicle lighting 42 Agricultural machinery 43 Electric bicycle 44 Electric vehicle 45 Pedelec 46 Quadricycle 47 Microcar 48 All-terrain vehicle 49 Van 50 Recreational vehicle 51 Scooter 52 Trikke 53 Personal mobility device 54 Skateboard 55 Segway 56 Kick scooter 57 Roller skates 58 Mailman 59 Hitchhiker 60 Toddler 61 Child 62 Disability 63 Motorail 64 km/h 65 mph 66 Speedometer 67 Ride height 68 Dirt road 69 Driving 70 Start-stop system 71 Manual transmission 72 Automatic transmission 73 Throttle 74 Tachometer 75 Steering wheel 76 Power steering 77 Visual scanning 78 Mirror 79 Fuel 80 Fuel gauge 81 Petrol 82 Diesel 83 Diesel exhaust fluid 84 Car insurance 85 First aid kit 86 Fire extinguisher 87 High-visibility clothing 88 First aid 89 Concrete step barrier 90 Barriers 91 Vehicle lights 92 Street lights 93 Dipped beam 94 High beam 95 Fog lights 96 Front fog lights 97 Rear fog lights 98 Side lights 99 Turn signals 100 Hazard lights ...