Driving Test Tips

  • Learn to Drive
  • Driving Theory Test
  • Driving Test Tutorials
  • Tips for Passing the Driving Test
  • Driving Schools
  • Car Tips
  • Driving Tips
Home Level Crossing Safety, Rules and Fines

Level Crossing Safety, Rules and Fines

The first step for dealing with level crossing safety whether during the practical driving test or throughout any point in your driving career is to locate the crossing.

Warning signs are located before level crossings to alert motorists of the impending hazard. Keen observation of these warning signs allow a driver to prepare for the level crossing and to know what type of crossing they are going to be dealing with.

Approaching the level crossing safely involves knowing the type of crossing ahead depending on the road signs (see level crossing lights and signs) and preparing to slow down or stop.

As with any hazard, always check the rear view mirror before a level crossing. This allows you to assess if there are any vehicles behind you and how close. If a motorists is driving close behind you, ease down your speed before you reach the crossing to allow the vehicle behind a safer stopping distance should the lights on the crossing flash.

Level crossings in busy locations will often have road markings in the form of a yellow box. These yellow boxes are similar to those found at box junctions and are implemented to give an order to motorists that they must not stop in the yellow box area. Stopping on a level crossing is of course highly dangerous and is illegal when a yellow box road marking is in place.



Level Crossing Cameras

Level crossing yellow box road markings

Level crossing yellow box road markings must not be stopped on. Always ensure your exit is clear.

Level crossing cameras are being utilised on more UK crossings due to misuse by motorists and pedestrians flouting the safety rules. Level crossings that do not have permanent fixed safety cameras in busy areas often have police Mobile Enforcement Vans in operation. All of which use licence plate recognition technology.

Motorists disregarding the rules face a minimum of a fixed penalty fine of £60 along with three penalty points on their licence. The minimum penalty can be exacerbated depending on the drivers actions and can ultimately lead stopping on a level crossing, to a dangerous or careless driving penalty resulting in huge fines and a driving ban. Pedestrians face a fine of up to £1000 and a criminal record if they are caught misusing a level crossing.

Approaching a Level Crossing

Motorists should always approach a level crossing at an appropriate and safe speed to assess:

  • the distance the vehicle is following behind in case you need to stop quickly to allow them a safer stopping distance
  • the type of crossing you are approaching. The main level crossing types can be found in the level crossing guide. Extra caution must be used for open level crossings, especially those without lights
  • the crossing itself is clear from vehicles. Whether there is a yellow box road marking or no markings at all, ensure there are no vehicles blocking your exit from the crossing as illustrated in the diagram. If in doubt whether you can safely clear the crossing, stop before you enter the crossing area until it is safe to proceed



Breaking down on a level crossing

If you are unfortunate that your vehicle should break down on a level crossing, get yourself and any passengers out of the vehicle as soon as possible. Locate the signal operator telephone number displayed on a sign at the level crossing and phone them. If you are unable to locate a telephone number, call the emergency services.

Guides and tutorials related to level crossing safety and rules

  • Level crossings
  • Level crossing lights and signs






Driving Test Tips

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Driving Test Tutorials
  • Car Cockpit Drill and Controls Lesson
  • Setting Car Mirrors
  • Use of Mirrors
  • Steering Techniques
  • How to use Car Brakes / Braking Techniques
  • Changing Gears Tutorials
  • Driving Blind Spot
  • Car Instrument Panel
  • Moving Off and Stopping
  • Hill Starts Car Tutorial
  • When to Signal Whilst Driving
  • Stopping in Traffic
  • Anticipation and Planning
  • Speed Awareness for the Driving Test
  • Passing Parked Cars
  • Clutch Control
  • Driving Routines
  • Pulling Up on the Left
  • Driving Test Manoeuvres
  • Traffic Lights
  • Pedestrian Crossings
  • Other Road Users
  • Learning the Emergency Stop
  • Lane Discipline
  • Left and Right Turns
  • Road Junctions
  • Crossroads Junctions
  • Learning Roundabouts
  • One-way Roads, Streets and Systems
  • Level Crossings
  • Overtaking
  • How to Merge into Traffic
  • Dual Carriageway
  • 2 Second Rule Explained
  • Approaching Corners and Driving Through Bends
  • Country Road Driving
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • International Drivers Tips
  • Driving Instructor Training Advice
  • About Driving Test Tips
  • Contact Driving Test Tips
2021 © Driving Test Tips
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.