Level crossing
Where a road crosses a railway on the flat — the one place where being slow to clear is catastrophic rather than inconvenient.
The governing rule at every level crossing is that you never drive onto it unless the road beyond is clear. A train cannot stop for you and cannot steer around you, so a vehicle stranded on the rails is a different order of problem from a vehicle stranded anywhere else.
Most crossings are controlled by amber then red flashing lights, usually with a barrier and often with an alarm. Red means stop, and red that keeps flashing after a train has gone means another is coming — a second train is a classic exam question and a real hazard.
If you break down on a crossing, the order matters: get everyone out of the vehicle first, then use the railway telephone to tell the signal operator, then move the vehicle clear if there is time. If the alarm sounds while you are still there, leave the vehicle and get clear of the crossing.
30 practice questions on this
Each one shows the answer, and our note on why every other option is not it.
Car
- What does this sign mean? Road and traffic signs
- What does this sign mean? Road and traffic signs
- What does this sign mean? Road and traffic signs
- Where would you find these flashing red light signals? Road and traffic signs
- Where would you see this road marking? Road and traffic signs
- What should you do if the red lights start flashing as you approach a level crossing? Hazard awareness
- You're looking for somewhere to safely park your vehicle. Where would you choose to park? Rules of the road
- You're waiting at a level crossing. What must you do if a train passes but the lights keep flashing? Rules of the road
- Why should you slow down as you approach this hazard? Hazard awareness
- You've stopped at a railway level crossing. What should you do if the red lights continue to flash after a train has gone by? Road and traffic signs
- Where will you see these red and white markers? Rules of the road
- You're driving towards this level crossing. What would be the first warning of an approaching train? Hazard awareness
- You're waiting at a level crossing. What should you do if the red warning lights continue to flash after a train has passed by? Rules of the road
- What should you do if the amber lights come on and a warning sounds while you're driving over a level crossing? Rules of the road
- Your car breaks down on a level crossing. What's the first thing you should do? Incidents, accidents and emergencies
- Your vehicle has stalled in the middle of a level crossing. What should you do if the warning bells start to ring while you're trying to restart the engine? Incidents, accidents and emergencies
- What should you do first if your vehicle has broken down on an automatic railway level crossing? Incidents, accidents and emergencies
Lorry & Bus (LGV/PCV)
- You're driving a vehicle that's over 17 metres (55 feet) long. What should you do at a level crossing? Vehicle weights and dimensions
- What's the main cause of a lorry shedding its load? Vehicle loading
- What do bells hanging across the road warn drivers of? Vehicle weights and dimensions
- Where would you find these flashing red lights? Road and traffic signs
- What does this marker count down to? Road and traffic signs
- What does this sign mean? Vehicle weights and dimensions
- Where are these lights found? The road
- What does this sign mean? Vehicle weights and dimensions
- What does this sign mean? Road and traffic signs
Driving Instructor (ADI Part 1)
- What do these signs indicate? Band 2 traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians, mechanical knowledge
- You're waiting at a level crossing. What must you do if a train has passed but the lights keep flashing? Band 2 traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians, mechanical knowledge
- You're driving towards a level crossing. What would be the first warning of an approaching train? Band 2 traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians, mechanical knowledge
- Your pupil has stalled in the middle of a level crossing and cannot restart the engine. What should you do first if the alarm sounds? Band 1 road procedure