What does the examiner want to see at "Level crossing with Saint Andrew's cross and flashing light"?

Approach at moderate speed, ready to brake. Flashing red means: stop, a train is coming. Stop before the cross or the stop line, not on the tracks. The train always has priority. No overtaking before the crossing. Only drive on when the light is off and the barriers are open, and only if there is space beyond. Look left and right along the tracks before crossing (a second train).

What counts as a severe mistake at "Level crossing with Saint Andrew's cross and flashing light"?

Counted as a severe mistake: Flashing red means: stop, a train is coming. Stop before the cross or the stop line, not on the tracks. Quickly cross, the barriers are still up. In a queue, stop right behind the car ahead, on the tracks.

Level crossing with Saint Andrew's cross and flashing light in the German driving test: what the examiner looks for

Q: The barriers are up, no light is flashing, but a queue beyond the crossing reaches back to the tracks. What do you do?

Wait before the crossing until there is space beyond it. You may only enter the crossing if you can leave it for sure. Otherwise you wait before it.

In short: At "Level crossing with Saint Andrew's cross and flashing light" the examiner mainly wants to see: Approach at moderate speed, ready to brake; Flashing red means: stop, a train is coming; Stop before the cross or the stop line, not on the tracks; The train always has priority. A severe mistake that can end the test: quickly cross, the barriers are still up.

Country road. Ahead is a level crossing with a Saint Andrew's cross, half barriers and light signals. The red light has just started flashing, the barriers are still up. A car is driving behind you.

The examiner says„Fahren Sie bitte weiter geradeaus.“
"Please continue straight ahead."

What you have to show

Approach at moderate speed, ready to brake
Flashing red means: stop, a train is coming
Stop before the cross or the stop line, not on the tracks
The train always has priority
No overtaking before the crossing
Only drive on when the light is off and the barriers are open, and only if there is space beyond
Look left and right along the tracks before crossing (a second train)

The right order

Approach at moderate speed, ready to brake
See the flashing red: stop, a train is coming
Interior mirror, brake early and gently (car behind you)
Stop before the stop line or the cross
Wait until the light is off and the barriers are up again
Look left and right along the tracks, only drive on if there is space beyond the crossing

Typical mistakes

Quickly cross, the barriers are still up severe mistakeFlashing red means stop, regardless of the barrier. The train is already on its way.

In a queue, stop right behind the car ahead, on the tracks severe mistakeYou must never stand on the tracks. In a queue you only enter the crossing when you can clear it for sure.

What the examiner records in the protocol

The examiner files every situation under five competence areas in the electronic test protocol. This is how the points of this situation are spread:

Observation of traffic

Flashing red means: stop, a train is coming severe mistake
Only drive on when the light is off and the barriers are open, and only if there is space beyond
Look left and right along the tracks before crossing (a second train)

Positioning of the vehicle

Stop before the cross or the stop line, not on the tracks severe mistake
No overtaking before the crossing

Adaptation of speed

Approach at moderate speed, ready to brake
The train always has priority

How the examiner grades: the electronic test protocol explained →

A strong answer

I approach at moderate speed, ready to brake, and I do not overtake before the crossing. The flashing red light means stop, a train is coming, and the train always has priority. I check the interior mirror because of the car behind me, brake early and gently and stop before the stop line so that I stay clear of the tracks. I only drive on once the light is off and the barriers are up again, and only if there is space beyond the crossing. Before that I look left and right along the tracks, because a second train may come.

What the law says

§ 19 StVO: rail vehicles have priority. Approach level crossings at moderate speed. You must wait at flashing red, at amber or red lights, or when the barriers are lowering or closed. Between the level-crossing sign 151 and the crossing, overtaking is prohibited. § 11 (1) StVO by analogy: do not enter the crossing if you would have to wait on it.

Legal text: § 19 StVO · § 11 StVO · Anlage 2 StVO (Verkehrszeichen) (gesetze-im-internet.de)

Quick check

The barriers are up, no light is flashing, but a queue beyond the crossing reaches back to the tracks. What do you do?

Wait before the crossing until there is space beyond it
Drive onto the tracks and wait in the queue
Drive slowly onto the crossing and honk

Show the answer

A. You may only enter the crossing if you can leave it for sure. Otherwise you wait before it.

Answer it yourself

Tap the steps in the right order or explain in your own words what you would do. The app checks your answer instantly, free and without registration.

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