Rule 297: Crossings without lights
If there are no lights, follow the procedure in Rule 296. Stop, look both ways and listen before you cross. If there is a railway telephone, always use it to contact the signal operator to make sure it is safe to cross. Inform the signal operator again when you are clear of the crossing.
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
- Your car breaks down on a level crossing. What's the first thing you should do? 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
- 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
- You're waiting at a level crossing. What must you do if a train passes but the lights keep flashing? Rules of the road