Overhead electric cable sign: what it means
The overhead electric cable sign warns of electrified cables above the road ahead, usually at a railway or tramway level crossing. A plate shows the safe height beneath them.
What does the overhead electric cable sign mean?
Know your traffic signs describes it as an electrified overhead cable and the safe height beneath it, usually for an overhead electrified railway or tramway. Some crossings also have bells hung over the road that ring if a vehicle is too high.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Low bridge ahead: the height shown is the clearance.
- Light signals ahead at a level crossing.
- Overhead electric cables ahead.
Show answer
C. Overhead electric cables ahead. It warns of an electrified overhead cable, with the safe height beneath it (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: level crossing signs and signals, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 292, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 307, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
On the approach to level crossings on electrified lines, and on roads with tram wires.
What should you do?
Know the height of your vehicle and its load. You must obey safe height warning signs, and you should not continue onto the railway if your vehicle touches a height barrier or the bells (rule 292).
What do people get wrong?
Forgetting about a tall load, such as bikes on the roof or a high van. The Highway Code says the clearance is usually 5 metres but may be lower.
Common questions
How high are overhead electric cables at level crossings?
The clearance is usually 5 metres (16 feet 6 inches) but may be lower (The Highway Code, rule 292). Tram wires are normally 5.8 metres above the road but can be lower (rule 307).
What should I do if my vehicle touches the bells?
Stop. Do not continue onto the railway (rule 292).
Compare with
Maximum headroom signLow bridge ahead: the height shown is the clearance.
Stop when lights show signLight signals ahead at a level crossing.
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 3 November 2026 against Know your traffic signs (level crossing signs and signals) and The Highway Code rules 292 and 307.
- Know your traffic signs: level crossing signs and signals, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 292, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 307, 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.