--- title: "Level crossing telephone sign Meaning | UK Road Signs" url: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/theory/road-signs/school-crossing-patrol-ahead description: "What the level crossing telephone sign means, when to use the phone and how the DVSA theory test covers breakdowns on crossings." lang: en --- # Level crossing telephone sign — UK road sign A blue or white plate showing a telephone symbol, marking the emergency line to the railway signaller. Image: Level crossing telephone sign — blue and white rectangle UK road sign (https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/signs/school-crossing-patrol-ahead.svg) User operated and open crossings carry a sign with a telephone symbol pointing to a direct line to the railway signal box. It is not a normal public telephone. Knowing that this phone exists, and when to use it, is a standard theory test topic because it is the correct first action in a crossing emergency. ## What this sign means The sign identifies the location of the railway telephone at the crossing. The phone connects directly to the signaller who controls train movements on that section of line. At user operated crossings the same phone is used to ask permission before you open the gates and drive across with a slow or long vehicle. ## What to do when you see it Use the phone in an emergency or when the crossing instructions tell you to. - If you break down on the crossing, get everyone out of the vehicle first, then call. - Tell the signaller exactly where you are and what has happened. - Follow the signaller instructions and only move the vehicle if told it is safe. - Call again once the crossing is clear. ## How this sign is tested The classic question describes a car that has stalled on a level crossing and asks for the correct order of actions. Passengers out first, then telephone the signaller, then move the vehicle if there is time. Other questions ask who answers the crossing telephone, testing that you know it reaches the railway rather than the emergency services. ## Common mistakes Trying to restart or push the vehicle before getting passengers clear of the rails. Dialling 999 instead of using the crossing telephone, which delays the message reaching the signaller who can stop the trains. ## Test yourself on this one Road and traffic signs is the biggest category in the question bank with 102 questions, and signs turn up inside other categories too. Work through them free, no sign-up needed. Practise road sign questions (https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/theory/practice) ## Frequently asked questions Who answers the level crossing telephone? The railway signaller responsible for that stretch of line. Should I call the police first if I stall on a crossing? No. Get everyone clear, then use the railway telephone. The signaller can stop approaching trains far faster. Do I need to phone before crossing? Only at user operated crossings where the instructions say so, or if your vehicle is slow, long or low. ## Passed your theory? Get the practical booked Your theory certificate lasts two years. Most learners who use it quickly do it with an intensive course — a block of hours with a DVSA approved instructor and a practical test at the end, instead of one lesson a week for months. Intensive course prices: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/pricing All courses: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/courses Crash courses: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/crash-courses Automatic lessons: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/driving-lessons/automatic Areas we cover: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/driving-lessons-in Driving test centres: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/driving-test-centres How it works: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/how-it-works Test pass guarantee: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/test-pass-guarantee ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/#organization", "name": "Fast Track Driving Lessons", "url": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/", "email": "info@fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk", "areaServed": "GB", "description": "Intensive driving courses and driving lessons across the UK with DVSA-approved instructors." }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/#website", "url": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/", "name": "Fast Track Driving Lessons", "publisher": { "@id": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/#organization" }, "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Theory test", "item": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/theory" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Road signs", "item": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/theory/road-signs" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Level crossing telephone sign — UK road sign" } ] }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Who answers the level crossing telephone?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The railway signaller responsible for that stretch of line." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Should I call the police first if I stall on a crossing?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. Get everyone clear, then use the railway telephone. 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