General Knowledge · Section 2.15

Railroad crossings: CDL practice questions

Section 2.15 covers the kinds of crossings, the warning signs and signals, and how to cross or stop safely in a large vehicle. These questions are part of the General Knowledge test.

Examlane has 22 questions on this chapter. Ten are below; open one to see the answer and why. The rest are in the practice tests.

Practice this chapter

1. Which items help you recognize a passive railroad crossing?
1. Flashing red lights and bells that warn of an approaching train
2. Round yellow signs, pavement markings and crossbucks
3. Gates that lower across the road lane ahead of the train
4. A railroad worker who stops traffic
Answer: B. Round yellow signs, pavement markings and crossbucks
A passive crossing has no control device, so you rely on round yellow signs, pavement markings and crossbucks to spot it.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.15.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
2. What does the round yellow advance warning sign at a railroad crossing tell you to do?
1. Come to a full stop at the sign and wait for a train
2. Speed up to clear the tracks before any train arrives
3. Slow down, look and listen, and be ready to stop
4. Honk to warn any trains
Answer: C. Slow down, look and listen, and be ready to stop
The sign warns of a crossing ahead, so slow down and be ready to stop, and look and listen for a train.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.15.2 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
3. You stopped at a crossing with gates, flashing lights and bells. When may you proceed?
1. When the gates are up, the lights stop flashing, and it is safe
2. As soon as the last car of the train has rolled past the crossing
3. When the driver behind you honks to tell you the way is clear
4. After counting to ten following the train
Answer: A. When the gates are up, the lights stop flashing, and it is safe
Stay stopped until the gates rise and the lights stop flashing, then go only when it is safe.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.15.2 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
4. A train just cleared one track at a crossing with two tracks. What should you do before crossing?
1. Cross right away because the train has passed
2. Cross if you hear no train horn
3. Look both ways to be sure no other train is near
4. Follow the car ahead across the tracks
Answer: C. Look both ways to be sure no other train is near
One train can block your view of another on the neighboring track, so check that no other train is near before you cross.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.15.3 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
5. You must make a full stop at a railroad crossing. Which lights should you turn on while stopping?
1. High beams to light up the tracks
2. Four-way emergency flashers
3. Left turn signal to warn those behind
4. Fog lights to help you see the rails
Answer: B. Four-way emergency flashers
Four-way flashers warn drivers behind you that you are stopping at the crossing.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.15.4 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
6. Traffic is backed up just beyond a railroad crossing. What should you do before starting across the tracks?
1. Wait until you can get all the way across
2. Move onto the tracks and wait for the line to move
3. Stop on the tracks and turn on your flashers
4. Creep forward and honk so traffic clears
Answer: A. Wait until you can get all the way across
Never let traffic trap you on the tracks. Start across only when you can clear them completely.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.15.5 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
7. Your truck gets stuck on railroad tracks. What should you do first?
1. Keep trying to restart the engine
2. Turn on the flashers and wait in the cab for help
3. Call your dispatcher and wait for instructions
4. Leave the truck and move well away from the tracks
Answer: D. Leave the truck and move well away from the tracks
Get out and away from the tracks first. Then use the emergency number on the crossing sign, or 911, and give the location of the crossing.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.15.6 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
8. How should you approach a railroad-highway grade crossing?
1. Expecting that a train is coming
2. Expecting a train only if the lights are flashing
3. Expecting a train only at crossings with gates
4. Expecting that trains will stop for traffic
Answer: A. Expecting that a train is coming
Every railroad crossing is dangerous, so approach each one expecting that a train is coming.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.15.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
9. You are driving a bus toward a railroad crossing that has a crossbuck sign but no white line on the pavement. Where must you stop?
1. Just past the crossbuck sign, still short of the rails
2. On the tracks, so you can see both directions
3. Before the crossbuck sign
4. Wherever you can see the tracks best
Answer: C. Before the crossbuck sign
With no painted stop line, the bus must stop short of the crossbuck sign so it stays clear of the tracks.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.15.2 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
10. The red lights on a railroad crossbuck begin to flash. What does this mean?
1. Slow down and cross if you do not see a train
2. A train is approaching, so you must stop
3. The crossing is out of service, so find another route
4. A train just passed, so you may cross
Answer: B. A train is approaching, so you must stop
Flashing red lights warn that a train is coming, and you must stop and yield to it.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.15.2 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.

Read the chapter itself in your state's CDL manual, Section 2.15. Your state's manual is free: find it in the state table.

More General Knowledge chapters: Vehicle inspection, Speed and stopping distance, Managing space, Driving emergencies, Cargo weight and securement.