Guarded vs unguarded crossing

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Guarded and unguarded level crossings: the signalling used, how to behave on approach and the absolute prohibitions.

Coverage, Guarded vs unguarded crossing

Lesson objectives

Distinguish between guarded and unguarded level crossings and identify their respective signals Master the legal obligations at each type of crossing (stopping, overtaking, priority) Recognize light signals and understand their meaning to act correctly

Two different worlds: guarded vs unguarded

A level crossing is an intersection between a road and a railway line. Depending on the type of protection, your obligations change radically. The distinction between guarded (with barriers or lights) and unguarded (no physical protection) is crucial for your safety and legality.

A41

A41, Level crossing with barriers. This is a danger signal from the A series, not a motorway reference: it announces a crossing with a railway line protected by barriers. Slow down and be ready to stop as soon as the signal sounds, the red lights flash or the barriers start to move.

A43

A43, Level crossing without barriers. Danger signal announcing a crossing with a railway line without barriers. Article 20.2 requires you to exercise extra caution and only proceed after ensuring that no rail vehicle is approaching.

Level crossing with closed barriers

The guarded crossing: barriers and lights

At a crossing equipped with barriers or light signals, article 20.3 lists three situations in which it is forbidden to proceed: when the barriers are moving or closed ; when the flashing red lights are on ; when the sound signal is operating . Each one is sufficient on its own. The sound signal, in particular, prohibits entry even before the barriers move.

Guarded level crossing

Road-rail crossing protected by barriers and/or flashing red lights. Stopping is mandatory as soon as the sound or light signal is activated.

Remember: as soon as you hear the sound signal or see the red lights flashing, stop. Do not attempt to cross before the barriers come down: article 20.3 prohibits proceeding on the crossing as soon as the barriers are moving or closed, as soon as the red lights flash, or as soon as the sound signal operates. These three causes are independent: the sound signal alone is sufficient.

The unguarded crossing: no physical protection

Pay attention to a distinction: at an unguarded crossing, article 20.2 does not require stopping. It requires extra caution and proceeding only after ensuring that no rail vehicle is approaching . The same rule applies in a case: when the crossing is equipped with barriers or light signals but these signals are not working . A complete stop only becomes mandatory if a B5 signal is posted. In practice, ensuring that no train is approaching usually requires stopping, but the exam distinguishes the legal obligation from the right reflex.

Unguarded level crossing

Road-rail crossing without barriers or lights. The driver must stop, listen and observe to verify that no train is coming before crossing.

Level crossing without barriers or lights

Stopping and vigilance obligations

At a guarded level crossing:

Stop at the sound signal or flashing lights Wait for the barriers to rise completely Verify that the lights stop flashing before moving off Never cross moving barriers

At an unguarded level crossing:

Slow down well before reaching the crossing. Before proceeding, ensure that no rail vehicle is approaching , in both directions. Turn off the radio, open the window slightly: a train can often be heard before it is seen. Verify that you will be able to completely clear the crossing: article 20.4 prohibits proceeding if traffic congestion risks immobilizing you on the crossing. Cross without stopping on the rails, and without changing speed in the middle.

A train does not « yield » or « take » the crossing: it simply cannot stop. Here is what article 20 actually says: 20.1 , all traffic is prohibited on railway lines established outside the roadway ; 20.2 , exercise extra caution when approaching; in the absence of barriers or light signals, or when these are not working , proceed only after ensuring that no rail vehicle is approaching; 20.3 , prohibition of proceeding: barriers moving or closed, flashing red lights on, sound signal operating; 20.4 , prohibition of proceeding if traffic congestion risks immobilizing you on the crossing.

Overtaking: strict rules

The rule comes from article 17.2, 1° , and it does not apply to all overtaking: overtaking on the left of a towed vehicle, a two-wheeled motor vehicle or a vehicle with more than two wheels is prohibited on a level crossing marked by an A45 or A47 . Only one exception, with two branches: unless the crossing is equipped with barriers , or if traffic is regulated by traffic light signals .

Situation Overtaking on the left Basis Crossing marked by an A45 or A47 , without barriers or light signals Prohibited for a towed vehicle, a two-wheeled motor vehicle or a vehicle with more than two wheels 17.2, 1° Crossing equipped with barriers Permitted , the exception applies 17.2, 1° Crossing where traffic is regulated by light signals Permitted , the exception applies 17.2, 1° Overtaking a bicycle Not covered by the prohibition: a bicycle is neither towed, nor motorized, nor has more than two wheels 17.2, 1°

Important exception: A cyclist is not a motor vehicle, you can overtake them even on an unguarded level crossing. However, exercise extra caution: the cyclist may be distracted or may not have heard a train approaching.

Light signals: understanding the white lunar light

Two light signals specific to level crossings (art. 64 ): Two red lights flashing alternately : "prohibition to cross the stop line or, if there is no stop line, the signal itself", and this for all users , pedestrians and cyclists included (art. 64.2). A white lunar light flashing : authorization to cross the signal (art. 64.3). It does not mean that the crossing is "safe" in the sense that you would be exempt from looking: it authorizes crossing.

White lunar light flashing

White lunar light flashing (art. 64.3): placed at level crossings, it means authorization to cross the signal. Since the crossing is then regulated by traffic light signals, the prohibition on overtaking under article 17.2, 1° does not apply.

Red lights flashing alternately

Two red lights flashing alternately (art. 64.2): prohibition to cross the stop line or, failing that, the signal itself, for all users. Article 20.3, 2° likewise prohibits entering the crossing. The classification of the offense by degree does not appear in the highway code but in separate regulations.

Parking and stopping: strictly prohibited

Stopping or parking on a level crossing is prohibited by article 24, 3° , which specifically names level crossings among the places where stopping and parking are prohibited. Article 20.4 goes further upstream: it prohibits entering the crossing if traffic congestion is such that you would likely be immobilized there. In other words, the fault is not remaining stuck on the rails, it is entering without being sure you can exit.

A45

A45, Level crossing with a single railway line. This proximity sign indicates that the level crossing is just ahead, with a single track. Check for the absence of a train and cross the rails without stopping on them.

A47

A47, Level crossing with two or more railway lines. Caution: with multiple lines, multiple trains may be traveling in different directions. Check each line before crossing and only proceed if the entire crossing is completely clear.

Summary: the key differences

Art. 20.2 : exercise extra caution; without barriers or light signals, or when they are not functioning , do not proceed until you have ensured that no rail vehicle is approaching . No obligation to stop unless signal B5. Art. 20.3 : prohibition to proceed if barriers are moving or closed , if red lights are flashing , or if the sound signal is functioning . Art. 20.4 : do not proceed if congestion risks immobilizing you on the crossing. Art. 24, 3° : stopping and parking prohibited on a level crossing. Art. 17.2, 1° : overtaking on the left prohibited on a crossing marked by A45 or A47 , unless it is equipped with barriers or regulated by light signals . Art. 64.2 and 64.3 : two alternating red lights = prohibition to cross, for all; white lunar light flashing = authorization to cross. Danger signals: A41 with barriers, A43 without barriers, A45 single line, A47 two or more lines.

What now?

First complete the quiz for this lesson to validate your learning, then practice on the exam simulator and multiple choice questions . Next lesson: Never stop on the rails .

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Theory without practice is forgotten: move on to the multiple choice questions to solidify your learning.