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Rule 299: Incidents and breakdowns
Advice, not law
Level crossings (rules 291 to 299)
Incidents and breakdowns. If your vehicle breaks down, or if you have an incident on a crossing you should
- get everyone out of the vehicle and clear of the crossing immediately
- use a railway telephone if available to tell the signal operator. Follow the instructions you are given
- move the vehicle clear of the crossing if there is time before a train arrives. If the alarm sounds, or the amber light comes on, leave the vehicle and get clear of the crossing immediately.
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
- As you approach a pelican crossing, the lights change to green. What should you do if older people are still crossing? Vulnerable road users
- You're waiting at a level crossing. What must you do if a train passes but the lights keep flashing? Rules of the road