Pedestrian Crossings: Zebra, Pelican, Puffin and Toucan Explained

At any pedestrian crossing: approach at a speed you can stop from, never park or overtake on the zig-zag lines, and give way to anyone already crossing. At a zebra crossing you must stop once someone has stepped onto it. At light-controlled crossings, follow the lights, and on a pelican’s flashing amber give way to anyone still crossing. Here’s what each type means for you as a driver.

Lesson Journey: this guide is part of our lesson-by-lesson series for learner drivers.

• Lesson 1: The cockpit drill (DSSSM)
• Lesson 2: Moving off and stopping
• Lesson 3: Turning left (MSPSL)
• Lesson 4: Turning right (MSPSL)
• Lesson 5: Turning left at traffic lights
• Lesson 6: Turning right at traffic lights
• Lesson 7: Roundabouts
• Lesson 8: Multi-lane and spiral roundabouts
• Lesson 9: Emerging from junctions
• Lesson 10: Crossroads
• Lesson 11: Pedestrian crossings (you are here)
• Coming next: dual carriageways, meeting traffic, hill starts and manoeuvres

• Black and white stripes, with flashing yellow beacons on each side.
• Slow down when people are waiting to cross, and be ready to stop and let them go.
• You must stop once someone has moved onto the crossing.
• A zebra crossing with a central island counts as two separate crossings.
• Don’t wave people across. Another vehicle may not have seen them.

• Light-controlled, with the lights facing you and a push button for pedestrians.
• Stop at the white line on red.
• Pelicans have a flashing amber light after the red. On flashing amber you must give way to anyone still on the crossing, and only go if it’s clear.
• If a pelican crossing goes straight across the road, it counts as one crossing even with a central island, so wait for people crossing from the far side too.

• Puffin: sensors detect people crossing and keep the lights on red until they’re across. There’s no flashing amber: the lights work like normal traffic lights.
• Toucan: like a puffin, but cyclists can ride across too.
• Equestrian (Pegasus): for horse riders, often next to a toucan. Again, no flashing amber.
• Even when your light turns green, give way to anyone still crossing.

• Never park or stop on the zig-zag lines, except in queuing traffic.
• Don’t overtake the moving vehicle nearest the crossing, or a vehicle that has stopped to let people cross.
• In slow traffic, keep the crossing clear. Don’t move onto it unless you can get all the way across.
• Take extra care when parked or queuing cars block your view. People may step out between them.
• Give people time. Don’t rev your engine or edge forward while they cross.

• Approaching a zebra too fast to stop for someone waiting.
• Driving on during flashing amber while someone is still on the crossing.
• Stopping on the crossing in a traffic queue.
• Overtaking on the zig-zags.

Why it matters on test day: responding correctly to traffic lights, road markings and signs are all in the top 10 reasons people fail, and crossings test all three.

That’s the end of this part of the series. Back to the Lesson Journey for the full list.

Our DVSA-approved instructors make sure you’re confident at every type of crossing before your test. Manual and automatic lessons across Greater Manchester, from £35 an hour, 7 days a week from 7am to 11:30pm.

Fill in the form and we’ll match you with an instructor near you, or call 07758 837589.

The Highway Code, GOV.UK. Checked 12 November 2026. Routines like DSSSM and MSPSL are how instructors teach the Highway Code; your instructor may use a slightly different version.

Do I have to stop at a zebra crossing?

You must stop once someone has moved onto the crossing. You should also slow down and be ready to stop for people waiting to cross.

What does flashing amber mean at a pelican crossing?

Give way to anyone still on the crossing. You can go if it is clear.

What is the difference between a puffin and a pelican crossing?

A puffin uses sensors to keep traffic stopped while people cross, and has no flashing amber. A pelican has a flashing amber phase after the red.

Can I overtake near a pedestrian crossing?

No. Do not overtake on the zig-zag lines, or overtake a vehicle that has stopped to let people cross.