--- title: "Level crossing signs and warning lights | The License Desk" url: https://www.thelicensedesk.com/road-signs/level-crossing-signs/ updated: 2026-09-26 --- > Source: https://www.thelicensedesk.com/road-signs/level-crossing-signs/ — last reviewed 2026-09-26. Markdown version generated at build time from the same content the page serves. 20 official signs · Department for Transport artwork # Level crossing signs and warning lights Never zigzag round half-barriers or cross when the lights are showing. If you break down on a crossing, get everyone out and call the signal operator from the railway telephone if there is one. Quick answer Level crossing signs warn that a railway crosses the road ahead. A gate symbol means a crossing with barriers or gates; a steam train symbol means one without. Countdown markers with three, two and one bars show the distance to a concealed crossing. Flashing red lights mean you must stop. ## What does each level crossing sign mean? Each sign is shown with its official meaning from the Department for Transport. Tap through to the quiz when you’re ready to test yourself. - ![Another train or tramcar may be about to pass over the level crossing — UK road sign](/signs/uk/776-another-train-or-tramcar-may-be-about-to-pass-over-the-level.webp) Another train or tramcar may be about to pass over the level crossing - ![Electrified overhead cable ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/779-electrified-overhead-cable-ahead.webp) Electrified overhead cable ahead - ![Level crossing with gate or barrier ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/770-level-crossing-with-gate-or-barrier-ahead.webp) Level crossing with gate or barrier ahead - ![Railway level crossing without gate or barrier ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/771-railway-level-crossing-without-gate-or-barrier-ahead.webp) Railway level crossing without gate or barrier ahead - ![Risk of grounding at a railway or tramway level crossing or hump backed bridge — UK road sign](/signs/uk/782-risk-of-grounding-at-a-railway-or-tramway-level-crossing-or.webp) Risk of grounding at a railway or tramway level crossing or hump backed bridge - ![Countdown marker to railway or tramway level crossing — UK road sign](/signs/uk/789-2-countdown-marker-to-railway-or-tramway-level-crossing.webp) Countdown marker to railway or tramway level crossing - ![Direction to emergency telephone or telephone at or near a railway or tramway level crossing — UK road sign](/signs/uk/788-direction-to-emergency-telephone-or-telephone-at-or-near-a-r.webp) Direction to emergency telephone or telephone at or near a railway or tramway level crossing - ![Drivers of large or slow vehicles must stop and telephone before using an automatic railway or tramway crossing — UK road sign](/signs/uk/784-1-drivers-of-large-or-slow-vehicles-must-stop-and-telephone-be.webp) Drivers of large or slow vehicles must stop and telephone before using an automatic railway or tramway crossing - ![Drivers of long low vehicles must telephone to obtain permission before using a railway or tramway level crossing — UK road sign](/signs/uk/783-drivers-of-long-low-vehicles-must-telephone-to-obtain-permis.webp) Drivers of long low vehicles must telephone to obtain permission before using a railway or tramway level crossing - ![Level crossing ahead is crossed by more than one railway or tramway track, and more than one train or tramcar may pass over it in quick succession — UK road sign](/signs/uk/777-level-crossing-ahead-is-crossed-by-more-than-one-railway-or.webp) Level crossing ahead is crossed by more than one railway or tramway track, and more than one train or tramcar may pass over it in quick succession - ![Light signal at level crossing for pedestrians — UK road sign](/signs/uk/4006-light-signal-at-level-crossing-for-pedestrians.webp) Light signal at level crossing for pedestrians - ![Load gauge giving audible warning to drivers where vehicle exceeds safe height under electrified overhead cables — UK road sign](/signs/uk/781-load-gauge-giving-audible-warning-to-drivers-where-vehicle-e.webp) Load gauge giving audible warning to drivers where vehicle exceeds safe height under electrified overhead cables - ![Location of railway or tramway level crossing without a gate or barrier — UK road sign](/signs/uk/774-location-of-railway-or-tramway-level-crossing-without-a-gate.webp) Location of railway or tramway level crossing without a gate or barrier - ![New method of controlling traffic at a railway or tramway level crossing ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/790-new-method-of-controlling-traffic-at-a-railway-or-tramway-le.webp) New method of controlling traffic at a railway or tramway level crossing ahead - ![Open railway level crossing without light signals — UK road sign](/signs/uk/778-open-railway-level-crossing-without-light-signals.webp) Open railway level crossing without light signals - ![Place where drivers of large or slow, or long low vehicles should park near a level crossing while contacting the signal operator — UK road sign](/signs/uk/786-place-where-drivers-of-large-or-slow-or-long-low-vehicles-sh.webp) Place where drivers of large or slow, or long low vehicles should park near a level crossing while contacting the signal operator - ![Safe height beneath electrified overhead cable ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/780a-safe-height-beneath-electrified-overhead-cable-ahead.webp) Safe height beneath electrified overhead cable ahead - ![Site of emergency telephone or telephone at or near a railway or tramway level crossing — UK road sign](/signs/uk/787-site-of-emergency-telephone-or-telephone-at-or-near-a-railwa.webp) Site of emergency telephone or telephone at or near a railway or tramway level crossing - ![Vehicular traffic must not stop within the area of a railway or tramway level crossing — UK road sign](/signs/uk/775-vehicular-traffic-must-not-stop-within-the-area-of-a-railway.webp) Vehicular traffic must not stop within the area of a railway or tramway level crossing - ![Warning of light signals at a level crossing without a gate or barrier ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/773-warning-of-light-signals-at-a-level-crossing-without-a-gate.webp) Warning of light signals at a level crossing without a gate or barrier ahead ## Ready to test yourself on road signs? The free [road signs quiz](/theory-test/road-and-traffic-signs/practice-test/) uses the same official artwork, with an explanation for every answer. Revise the rules behind them in our [Rules of the Road guide](/theory-test/rules-of-the-road/). [Start the road signs quiz](/theory-test/road-and-traffic-signs/practice-test/) ## Frequently asked questions **### How do you recognise level crossing signs?** Level crossing signs warn that a railway crosses the road ahead. A gate symbol means a crossing with barriers or gates; a steam train symbol means one without. Countdown markers with three, two and one bars show the distance to a concealed crossing. Flashing red lights mean you must stop. **### Do level crossing signs come up in the theory test?** Yes. Signs appear throughout the theory test, mainly in the Road & Traffic Signs topic and also in topics such as Rules of the Road. Practise with our free questions until you can read each sign from its shape and colour. ## Which other road sign categories should you learn? - [Warning signs](/road-signs/warning-signs/) - [Regulatory signs](/road-signs/regulatory-signs/) - [Speed limit signs](/road-signs/speed-limit-signs/) - [Motorway signs](/road-signs/motorway-signs/) - [Parking signs](/road-signs/parking-signs/) - [Pedestrian and cycle signs](/road-signs/pedestrian-and-cycle-signs/) - [Bus and tram signs](/road-signs/bus-and-tram-signs/) - [Road works signs](/road-signs/road-works-signs/) - [Traffic calming signs](/road-signs/traffic-calming-signs/) - [Information signs](/road-signs/information-signs/) - [Direction signs](/road-signs/direction-signs/) Traffic sign images: Crown copyright, Department for Transport. Reproduced under the Open Government Licence v3.0. [Licence](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) · [Source](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/traffic-sign-images).