← Using the road
Rule 197: Pelican crossings with an island
Legal requirement — says MUST
Pedestrian crossings (rules 191 to 199)
Pelican crossings which go straight across the road are one crossing, even when there is a central island. You MUST wait for pedestrians who are crossing from the other side of the island.
Law TSRGD reg 14
Why the capitals matter. The Highway Code writes a rule in capitals — MUST or MUST NOT — when it is backed by law, so breaking it is a criminal offence. The rules that do not use capitals are advice.
5 theory test questions on this rule
From the DVSA revision question bank. These are not the questions asked in the real theory test. Each one shows the answer, the explanation, and our own note on why every other option is not it.
Car
- What must you do when the amber light is flashing at a pelican crossing? Attitude
- Which road users benefit from toucan crossings? Rules of the road
- You're turning right from a main road into a side road. There's no oncoming traffic. What should you do if pedestrians are standing on the pavement waiting to cross the side road? Vulnerable road users