Open level crossing sign: what it means
The locomotive plate under a give way sign marks an open level crossing, with no gates, barriers or lights. You must give way to trains.
What does the open level crossing sign mean?
Know your traffic signs says open level crossings without gates, barriers or road traffic light signals have give way signs over a symbol of a railway locomotive.
Rule 298 says to look both ways, listen and make sure no train is coming before you cross.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- A railway crossing with gates or barriers is ahead.
- Large or slow vehicles must phone before crossing.
- A crossing with no gates or lights: give way to trains.
Show answer
C. A crossing with no gates or lights: give way to trains. Open crossings without gates, barriers or lights have give way signs over a locomotive symbol (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: level crossing signs and signals, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 298, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
On quiet roads that cross a railway with no gates, barriers or lights.
What should you do?
Slow down, stop if you need to, look both ways and listen. Cross only when you are sure no train is coming.
What do people get wrong?
Expecting lights or barriers to warn you. At this kind of open crossing there are none, so you must check yourself.
Common questions
Who has priority at an open level crossing?
Trains. The give way sign means you must give way to them.
What is the difference from the St Andrew’s cross?
The St Andrew’s cross is used where there are no gates or barriers. At automatic crossings it comes with lights; at crossings with give way signs you look out for trains yourself.
Compare with
Level crossing without barrier signA railway crossing with no gates or barriers is ahead.
St Andrew’s cross signA level crossing with no gates or barriers.
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 4 November 2026 against Know your traffic signs (level crossing signs and signals) and The Highway Code rule 298.
- Know your traffic signs: level crossing signs and signals, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 298, GOV.UK
- Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Traffic sign images are Crown copyright, from the Department for Transport. Sources and image credits.