Regulatory sign
Long low vehicles: phone before crossing sign
What does the Long low vehicles: phone before crossing sign mean?
At a level crossing, drivers of long low vehicles must phone before crossing, as they may ground on the crossing.
Also known as: Drivers of long low vehicles phone
What it means
Drivers of long low vehicles must phone before crossing.
Long low vehicles may be at risk of grounding on the crossing. Their drivers must phone the signal operator before crossing.
Use the phone at the crossing and follow the instructions you are given.
Where you'll see it
At level crossings with a humped road surface.
Rules to know
Long low vehicles may be at risk of grounding; drivers of such vehicles must phone before crossing.
Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 29
Never stop or park on, or near, a level crossing.
The Highway Code, Rule 291
Common mistakes
Mistake: Crossing without phoning because no train is in sight.
Instead: Phone first. Grounding on the crossing could leave you stuck on the line.
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© Crown copyright. Free to reuse under the Open Government Licence v3.0, as long as the sign is reproduced accurately and not in a misleading context.
Related signs
Used with
Risk of grounding
Warning sign
The warning sign for the same hazard.
Similar
Large or slow vehicles: phone to cross
Regulatory sign
The phone rule for large or slow vehicles.
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- Know Your Traffic Signs (Department for Transport, Sixth edition, 2023), Level crossing signs and signals, p. 29
- The Highway Code, Rule 291
Sign image: Department for Transport, Traffic sign images (diagram 783). © Crown copyright, reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Last reviewed 11 October 2026. This page explains the sign in our own words; for the full rules, see The Highway Code. How we source and check content