Road Signs Test Railroad Crossing Signs 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Flashing red lights at a railroad crossing mean you must:
- Stop and wait until the lights stop flashing and it is safe to cross (Correct answer)
- Slow down and proceed with caution
- Yield to any visible trains then proceed
- Stop and wait exactly 30 seconds before crossing
Correct answer: Stop and wait until the lights stop flashing and it is safe to cross
Flashing red lights at a railroad crossing have the same legal meaning as a red traffic light — you must stop and wait until the signal clears and it is safe to cross.
Question 2: When crossing gates are lowering or fully down, you must:
- Stop and wait for the gates to fully rise before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Drive around the gates if no train is visible
- Slow to 10 mph and proceed carefully
- Honk your horn and wait for a signal
Correct answer: Stop and wait for the gates to fully rise before proceeding
Driving around lowered or lowering crossing gates is illegal and extremely dangerous; you must stop and wait until the gates fully rise.
Question 3: How close to the nearest rail must you stop when required to halt at a railroad crossing?
- At least 15 feet (Correct answer)
- At least 5 feet
- At least 50 feet
- At least 100 feet
Correct answer: At least 15 feet
You must stop no closer than 15 feet from the nearest rail to ensure your vehicle is clear of the train's overhang and air blast.
Question 4: After a train passes and the lights stop flashing, you should:
- Look and listen for a second train before crossing (Correct answer)
- Immediately drive across the tracks
- Wait exactly 10 seconds then proceed
- Sound your horn to signal it is safe
Correct answer: Look and listen for a second train before crossing
A second train may approach from the opposite direction immediately after the first passes, so always look and listen in both directions before crossing.
Question 5: A 'LOW GROUND CLEARANCE CROSSING' sign warns that:
- Vehicles with very low chassis may scrape or become stuck on raised tracks (Correct answer)
- The crossing is located at a low elevation below sea level
- The speed limit drops to a low value near the tracks
- Train signals are mounted low on the crossing post
Correct answer: Vehicles with very low chassis may scrape or become stuck on raised tracks
This sign warns drivers of vehicles with low ground clearance — such as certain trailers or sports cars — that the track angle may cause the vehicle to bottom out.
Question 6: What does an 'EXEMPT' sign posted below a railroad crossing sign mean?
- Certain vehicles normally required to stop are not required to stop at this crossing (Correct answer)
- All vehicles may pass without stopping
- Emergency vehicles have priority at this crossing
- The crossing has been permanently closed to traffic
Correct answer: Certain vehicles normally required to stop are not required to stop at this crossing
An EXEMPT sign means vehicles normally required to stop — such as school buses and hazmat trucks — are not required to stop at that specific low-risk crossing.
Question 7: If your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks, you should immediately:
- Get everyone out and move away at an angle toward any approaching train (Correct answer)
- Stay in the vehicle and call 911
- Try to restart the vehicle repeatedly
- Push the vehicle sideways off the tracks yourself
Correct answer: Get everyone out and move away at an angle toward any approaching train
You must evacuate quickly and move diagonally toward an approaching train so that debris from any collision is thrown away from you, not toward you.
Road Signs Test Railroad Crossing Signs 2
Flashing red lights at a railroad crossing mean you must: