At traffic lights. There may be special signals for pedestrians. You should only start to cross the road when the green figure shows. If you have started to cross the road and the green figure goes out, you should still have time to reach the other side, but do not delay. If no pedestrian signals have been provided, watch carefully and do not cross until the traffic lights are red and the traffic has stopped. Keep looking and check for traffic that may be turning the corner. Remember that traffic lights may let traffic move in some lanes while traffic in other lanes has stopped.
Advice, not law. This rule is not written in capitals, so breaking it is not an offence in itself — but it can still be used in evidence in court to establish liability. The rules that say MUST or MUST NOT are the ones backed by law.
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
Lorry & Bus (LGV/PCV)
- You're approaching a red light at a puffin crossing. Pedestrians are on the crossing. How long will the red light stay on? Road and traffic signs
- You've stopped at a pelican crossing. What should you do if the lights have changed to green but a disabled person is still crossing? Other road users
- You stop for pedestrians at a zebra crossing. What should you do if they do not start to cross immediately? The driver