Level crossing

Types of level crossings

There are two types: protected level crossings, where lights warn automatically when a train is coming, and unprotected level crossings, where you only see a St Andrew’s cross. A protected crossing usually has barriers too, but there is also an in-between form with lights only.

Type	What do you see?	What do you do?
Protected, with barriers	Flashing red lights, a bell and half barriers that close after the flashing starts.	Stop as soon as the lights start flashing, even if the barriers are still open.
Protected, without barriers	Flashing red lights, but no barriers. This in-between form is rare.	Stop at flashing red. There is no barrier to hold you back, so you have to brake yourself.
Unprotected	Only a St Andrew’s cross (J12 or J13). No lights and no barriers.	Look and listen yourself. If a train is coming, you stop.

ProRail is working to close or adapt unprotected public level crossings. So you will see them less and less, but they can still come up in the exam.

The rules at a level crossing

A few fixed rules from the RVV 1990 apply at a level crossing. They come down to one thing: the train always goes first.

• Flashing red means stop. Flashing red crossing lights mean stop (Article 71 RVV). Wait before the stop line or the crossing.
• Wait until everything is open. A barrier starting to rise is not permission to proceed. Wait for the red light to go out and the crossing to open fully.
• Only drive on if you can get off. You may only drive onto a level crossing if you can carry straight on and clear the crossing completely (Article 15a RVV). Ensure there is room beyond the tracks for your whole car or combination. Do not enter if a queue would leave you standing on the tracks.
• The train goes first. You always let a train go first, also at a crossing without lights or barriers (Article 15a(2)).
• Never stop on the track. You may not let your car stand still on a level crossing, not even briefly (Article 23 RVV).
• Not around the barriers. Never drive around closed barriers and do not zigzag between them.
• White flashing light. The RVV also has a white flashing light for level crossing lights. It means: no train is approaching.

Good advice: always look yourself

This is not an official rule, but it is sensible. Look left and right, even when the lights are off. After one train, another can approach on a different track.

Fines at a level crossing

• Not stopping at flashing red: €320 (offence code R 608).
• Driving onto a level crossing when you cannot carry straight on: €320 (R 340 a).
• Stopping on a level crossing: €130 (R 396 j).

Amounts for a car, excluding €9 administration costs (Wahv rates, valid from 1 September 2026).

How to recognise a level crossing

A level crossing announces itself in steps: first a warning sign, then distance markers, and at the track itself a St Andrew’s cross, often with lights and barriers.

The signs: count the crosses

Sign	Name	Meaning	What do you do?
	J10: crossing with barriers	You approach a crossing with barriers.	Slow down and expect the protection to activate.
	J11: crossing without barriers	There are no closing barriers.	Look and listen yourself; flashing red still means stop.
	J12: single St Andrew’s cross	There is one track.	The cross stands at the track; keep checking signals and trains.
	J13: double St Andrew’s cross	There are two or more tracks.	After one train, another may approach from the opposite direction.

J10 and J11 stand before the crossing and warn that it is coming. The St Andrew’s cross stands at the track itself: in the law, a level crossing is the place where a J12 or J13 stands. More per sign: J10, J11, J12, J13.

Lights, bell and barriers

A protected level crossing always starts with flashing red lamps. At a crossing with barriers the bell also rings, and then the barriers come down. So stop at the first flash. Do not wait until you see the barriers lowering.

Distance markers: 240, 160 or 80 metres

Marker	Stripes	Distance to the track
	Three stripes	about 240 metres
	Two stripes	about 160 metres
	One stripe	about 80 metres

Each diagonal stripe stands for about 80 metres: number of stripes × 80 metres. You first see three, then two and finally one. Use the distance to reduce speed and look ahead in time. The stripes slope down towards the road, showing which side of the marker the road is on.

Tram signal or crossing light?

Tram signal: not for you	Crossing light: for you
White dots or bars: this signal is for the tram and the bus.	Two red flashing lights: stop. This signal is for road traffic.

A signal with white points or bars is for public transport. Two flashing red lamps at a tram track tell you to stop. Do not confuse a single yellow warning lamp with red either: yellow calls for care, red means stop. Read more under traffic lights.

Step-by-step plan at a level crossing

This is how you approach a level crossing, step by step:

1. Warning sign. A red triangle with a gate (J10) means a level crossing with barriers. A red triangle with a train (J11) means a level crossing without barriers. Ease off and look far ahead.
2. Distance markers. You see posts with three, two and one diagonal stripe. That is about 240, 160 and 80 metres to the track.
3. St Andrew’s cross. At the track itself there is a white cross with red edges. One cross (J12) means one track. A double cross (J13) means two or more tracks.
4. Red lights or a bell? Stop before the stop line, even if the barriers are still up. Wait until the lights are off.
5. No lights? Look and listen both ways. If there is a J13, check every track.
6. Room beyond the track? Only drive onto the track if there is room for your whole car beyond it. Then cross in one go.

What to do if you are stuck on a level crossing

It can still happen: the barriers close while you are still on the track, or your car stalls. This is what ProRail advises:

• Stuck between the barriers? Drive on. Simply drive through the barrier. The barriers are made to break off and will not hold your car back.
• Better a broken barrier. ProRail would rather have damage to a barrier than someone injured or worse.
• Has your car stalled on the track? Get out in time, bring yourself and your passengers to safety, away from the track, and call 112.

Sources: ProRail and TLN and ProRail, Wacht voor rood. Even better is not getting stuck: only drive on if you can get off again.

CBR pitfalls at level crossings

❌ Wrong: following a queue onto the tracks. ✅ Right: if there is no room beyond the tracks, you wait before the crossing.

❌ Wrong: driving on at flashing red because there are no barriers. ✅ Right: flashing red means stop, with or without barriers.

❌ Wrong: driving off as soon as the first train has passed. ✅ Right: wait until the lights are off. Another train may come.

❌ Wrong: staying put between the closed barriers. ✅ Right: drive on: the barrier breaks off.