Logo
German Road Signs and Traffic Sign Meanings

Master the Standing Railway Crossbuck (Andreaskreuz - stehend) Sign

201-50 - Railway crossbuck - stehend German road sign meaning

The German road sign 201-50, officially known as 'Andreaskreuz - stehend', indicates a railway crossing and requires your full attention. This sign is a binding regulatory sign under German law (StVO) and means you must be prepared to stop if a train is approaching. Always be aware of supplementary plates, road markings, and traffic lights, as they can modify the exact requirements at the crossing.

Interpreting the "Railway Crossbuck - Standing" Sign

This section provides a direct explanation for German road sign 201-50, the "Railway crossbuck - standing", crucial for your theory test revision. Learn to accurately interpret this sign's meaning and its impact on your driving decisions for safe navigation.

Definition of 201-50

German road sign 201-50, officially designated "Andreaskreuz - stehend", belongs to the regulatory signs group. It gives a binding rule under the German StVO and must be followed rather than treated as advisory information. You may see it in junctions, restricted streets, cycle and pedestrian facilities, parking areas, low-emission zones, and roads with binding lane or speed rules, depending on how the road authority has arranged the location. The practical meaning is not just the symbol itself, but the driving decision it triggers: adjust speed, position, priority, route choice, stopping behaviour, or attention before the situation becomes urgent. For learners, the key skill is knowing whether the sign commands, forbids, limits, or cancels a rule. Always combine the sign with road markings, traffic lights, police instructions, and any supplementary plates at the same location.

Meaning of 201-50

German road sign 201-50 means "Railway crossbuck - stehend" and is officially listed as "Andreaskreuz - stehend". In practice, it tells drivers to recognise the situation early, adapt before reaching the controlled area, and check whether markings or supplementary plates change how the rule applies.

Allowed actions for 201-50

Comply with the rule from the point where the sign applies and adjust speed or lane choice before reaching it.Yield, stop, change lane, continue straight, turn, or avoid the route according to the exact instruction shown.Check road markings and traffic lights because they may work together with the sign.Use an alternative route or legal stopping place if your intended movement is restricted.Resume normal driving only when the restriction is cancelled or no longer applies to your vehicle and direction.

Prohibited actions for 201-50

Do not drive, stop, park, turn, enter, overtake, or use a traffic area in a way that conflicts with the sign.Do not rely on what other drivers are doing if the sign gives you a different legal instruction.Do not assume the rule ends at the next junction unless German traffic rules or an end sign clearly cancel it.Do not overlook supplementary plates that limit the rule to certain vehicles, times, directions, distances, or conditions.

201-50 - Railway crossbuck - stehend road sign FAQ

Get clear, practical answers to the most common questions about the 201-50 - Railway crossbuck - stehend road sign. Learn how the sign works, what rules it represents, and how it affects real driving situations. This FAQ strengthens your understanding and supports accurate decision making for the German driving theory exam in Germany.

What does the 'Andreaskreuz - stehend' (201-50) sign mean?

The 'Andreaskreuz - stehend' sign, code 201-50, is a German railway crossbuck. It signifies an upcoming railway crossing and mandates that drivers must be prepared to stop if a train is coming. It's crucial to recognize this sign early and adjust your speed accordingly.

When must I stop for the 201-50 sign?

You must stop for the 201-50 sign if you hear a train approaching or see one. This sign is a binding warning and a precursor to a level crossing. Never try to race a train; always prioritize safety and stop if there's any doubt or if a train is present.

Are there different types of Andreaskreuz signs in Germany?

Yes, there are two main types: the single Andreaskreuz (for single tracks) and the double Andreaskreuz (for multiple tracks). The 'stehend' version (standing) is for single tracks, while a lying version typically indicates multiple tracks. The core instruction to prepare for trains remains the same for all variants.

What is a common exam trap related to the 201-50 sign?

A common trap is assuming you don't need to stop if you don't see a train immediately. The 201-50 sign means a crossing is present, and you must always be prepared to stop, especially if there are supplementary signs or signals indicating a train's approach. Always check for trains and listen carefully.

Can supplementary plates change the meaning of the 201-50 sign?

Yes, supplementary plates can significantly alter how you interpret the 201-50 sign. For example, a plate might specify a distance to the crossing, indicate that it's a crossing for pedestrians and cyclists only, or that specific vehicles have priority. Always read these plates carefully in conjunction with the main sign.

201-50 - Railway crossbuck - stehend road sign image

A clear reference image of the 201-50 - Railway crossbuck - stehend road sign used in Germany.

201-50 - Railway crossbuck - stehend road sign

Other names for the 201-50 - Railway crossbuck - stehend

The 201-50 - Railway crossbuck - stehend road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.

German road sign 201-50German traffic sign 201-50StVO sign 201-50Railway crossbuck - stehend signAndreaskreuz - stehendregulatory signs 201-50

German Regulatory Signs road sign category

The 201-50 - Railway crossbuck - stehend road sign is part of the German Regulatory Signs category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.

Reinforce Your Understanding with Similar Signs

Comparing similar road signs like this crossbuck with other warnings or regulatory signs helps cement their distinctions in your memory. Practicing traffic sign comparison is a key strategy for improving sign recognition and reducing errors during your German theory test revision.

201-51 - Railway crossbuck - stehend with Blitzpfeil road sign

Railway crossbuck - stehend with Blitzpfeil

Understand the Railway Crossbuck with Blitzpfeil (Sign 201-51) in Germany

German Regulatory Signs201-51
201-52 - Railway crossbuck - liegend road sign

Railway crossbuck - liegend

German road sign 201-52: The Railway Crossbuck 'Andreaskreuz - liegend'

German Regulatory Signs201-52
201-53 - Railway crossbuck - liegend with Blitzpfeil road sign

Railway crossbuck - liegend with Blitzpfeil

Germany's Railway Crossbuck Sign 201-53 with Blitzpfeil: What You Need to Know

German Regulatory Signs201-53
205 - Yield road sign

Yield

Understand the German "Yield" Sign (Sign 205 - Vorfahrt gewähren)

German Regulatory Signs205
206 - Stop and yield road sign

Stop and yield

Sign 206: Stop and Yield – You must stop and give way

German Regulatory Signs206
208 - Oncoming traffic has priority road sign

Oncoming traffic has priority

Sign 208: You Must Yield to Oncoming Traffic on This Road

German Regulatory Signs208
209 - Mandatory direction - right road sign

Mandatory direction - right

Mandatory Direction - Right: Sign 209 Explained

German Regulatory Signs209
209-10 - Mandatory direction - left road sign

Mandatory direction - left

Follow the Arrow: Sign 209-10 Mandates a Left Turn or Direction.

German Regulatory Signs209-10

Ready to Master German Road Signs? Start Your Focused Revision

Deepen your understanding of specific road sign categories or test your knowledge with practice questions. Explore our themed sign groups for targeted study or jump into quizzes to reinforce your recognition skills for the official German theory exam.

All German Road Signs List
CTA Decorative Squares

Dive into German road sign knowledge

205 Yield German road signGerman Driving Theory B courseGerman Driving Theory AM courseGerman HGV Theory - C/CE course215 Roundabout German road signGerman Motorcycle Theory A course206 Stop and yield German road signGerman Bus & Coach Theory (D) course209 Mandatory direction - right German road signGerman Regulatory Signs German road sign category208 Oncoming traffic has priority German road sign209-10 Mandatory direction - left German road sign201-50 Railway crossbuck - stehend German road sign201-52 Railway crossbuck - liegend German road signGerman Supplementary Signs German road sign categoryGerman Danger Warning Signs German road sign category211 Mandatory direction - hier right German road sign220-10 One-way street - pointing left German road signGerman Traffic Control Boards German road sign category211-10 Mandatory direction - hier left German road sign220-20 One-way street - pointing right German road sign214-30 Mandatory direction - right left German road sign222 Mandatory pass-by side - right vorbei German road signGerman Guide and Information Signs German road sign category209-30 Mandatory direction - straight ahead German road sign222-10 Mandatory pass-by side - left vorbei German road sign214 Mandatory direction - straight ahead right German road sign214-10 Mandatory direction - straight ahead left German road sign201-51 Railway crossbuck - stehend with Blitzpfeil German road sign201-53 Railway crossbuck - liegend with Blitzpfeil German road signGerman Traffic Facilities and Road Markings German road sign category223.3-50 Vacate the hard shoulder lane - 2 lane + hard shoulder German road sign223.3-51 Vacate the hard shoulder lane - 3 lane + hard shoulder German road sign223.3-52 Vacate the hard shoulder lane - 4 lane + hard shoulder German road sign223.1-50 Use the hard shoulder as a lane - 2 lane + hard shoulder German road sign223.1-51 Use the hard shoulder as a lane - 3 lane + hard shoulder German road sign223.1-52 Use the hard shoulder as a lane - 4 lane + hard shoulder German road sign223.2-50 End use of the hard shoulder as a lane - 2 lane + hard shoulder German road sign223.2-51 End use of the hard shoulder as a lane - 3 lane + hard shoulder German road sign223.2-52 End use of the hard shoulder as a lane - 4 lane + hard shoulder German road sign