Driving Test Practice

Colorado: Railroad crossings and light rail — Part 1 Practice Test

Questions in this part include: “Why should you not shift gears while crossing railroad tracks?” · “What do Emergency Notification System (ENS) signs provide?”

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22 questions · About 9 min

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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Colorado Driver Handbook" (DR 2337, January 2025), Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

All 22 questions in this practice test

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  1. What does the manual say you should never try to do at a railroad crossing?

    A blue car on a two-lane road with a double yellow centre line, approaching a single track that crosses it at an angle, with a RAILROAD CROSSING crossbuck sign on each side.
    • Beat a train across the tracks
    • Stop before the tracks to look for trains
    • Wait for the gate arms to rise
    • Cross the tracks at a slow, steady speed
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    Correct answer: Beat a train across the tracks

    The manual says never to try to beat a train across the tracks.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 8 · Open this page in the manual

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  2. When may you start to cross railroad tracks?

    A blue car approaches a railroad crossing on a two-lane road, with a crossbuck sign on each side of the tracks, as a yellow car drives along the other lane on the far side.
    • As soon as the vehicle ahead of you has begun to move onto the tracks
    • Once the front of your vehicle has reached the first rail of the tracks
    • Once there is enough room for your vehicle to clear the tracks on the other side
    • When the traffic behind you begins to sound its horns at you
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    Correct answer: Once there is enough room for your vehicle to clear the tracks on the other side

    You never start to cross until there is enough room for your vehicle to clear the tracks on the other side.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 8 · Open this page in the manual

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  3. Why should you not shift gears while crossing railroad tracks?

    • Shifting gears is illegal on any rail line
    • Your vehicle could stall on the tracks
    • The tracks could damage the gear shift
    • The noise could cover the sound of a train
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    Correct answer: Your vehicle could stall on the tracks

    You do not shift gears on the tracks in case your vehicle stalls.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 8 · Open this page in the manual

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  4. What does the manual say about the shapes of railroad crossing signs?

    • They are always round
    • They are always eight-sided
    • They are always diamond-shaped
    • They can be a variety of shapes
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    Correct answer: They can be a variety of shapes

    Railroad crossing signs can be a variety of shapes.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 8 · Open this page in the manual

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  5. What color are railroad emergency notification system (ENS) signs?

    • Blue
    • Yellow
    • Green
    • Orange
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    Correct answer: Blue

    The manual describes ENS signs as blue signs.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 8 · Open this page in the manual

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  6. Where are railroad emergency notification system (ENS) signs found?

    A blue rectangular sign with a white border, white lettering and a telephone symbol, mounted on a post below a white railroad crossbuck.
    • Only at crossings that have no gates or lights
    • Only at crossings on freeways
    • At every highway-rail grade crossing
    • Only at crossings in rural areas
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    Correct answer: At every highway-rail grade crossing

    ENS signs are at every highway-rail grade crossing.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 8 · Open this page in the manual

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  7. What do ENS signs provide the public?

    • A schedule of the trains that use the crossing each day
    • A telephone number to report problems or emergencies there
    • The distance to the next railroad crossing along the road
    • The maximum speed trains may travel at the crossing
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    Correct answer: A telephone number to report problems or emergencies there

    ENS signs give the public a telephone number to report problems or emergencies at the railroad location.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 8 · Open this page in the manual

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  8. What does the Department of Transportation number below the dispatch number on an ENS sign identify?

    A blue rectangular sign with a white border, white lettering and a telephone symbol, mounted on a post below a white railroad crossbuck.
    • The railroad company that owns the tracks
    • The number of tracks at the crossing
    • The date the crossing was last inspected
    • The exact location of the crossing
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    Correct answer: The exact location of the crossing

    The Department of Transportation number identifies the exact location of the crossing.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 8 · Open this page in the manual

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  9. When approaching a railroad crossing that is not marked with flashing lights or gates, what should you do?

    A blue car approaches a railroad crossing marked only by crossbuck signs, where trees, a hedge and a barn beside the tracks hide the view along the line.
    • Stop, if necessary, before the crossing to check for trains
    • Slow down slightly and cross if you see no train in the distance
    • Sound your horn and cross at normal speed
    • Follow the vehicle ahead of you across the tracks
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    Correct answer: Stop, if necessary, before the crossing to check for trains

    You should stop (if necessary) before reaching the crossing to check for approaching trains.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 21 · Open this page in the manual

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  10. What does the handbook say about stopping on railroad tracks?

    A blue car approaches a railroad crossing while a line of cars, stopped at a red traffic light just beyond the tracks, backs up toward the far rail.
    • It is allowed if traffic is backed up ahead
    • It is allowed for a few seconds to check for trains
    • It is illegal and very dangerous
    • It is legal only at crossings with gates
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    Correct answer: It is illegal and very dangerous

    Stopping on the tracks is illegal and very dangerous.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 21 · Open this page in the manual

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  11. Before you drive onto a railroad crossing, what must you be sure of?

    A two-lane road with a double yellow center line leading to railroad tracks: a large X with the letters R R painted in the lane, a white line across the lane before the rails, a crossbuck and a round yellow sign beside the road, and a blue car approaching
    • No train horn can be heard from either direction
    • The tracks are clear and you have room on the far side
    • The vehicle ahead has already crossed the tracks
    • Your vehicle is in a low gear for crossing
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    Correct answer: The tracks are clear and you have room on the far side

    Do not drive onto the crossing until the tracks are clear and you have enough room on the other side to clear a train.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 21 · Open this page in the manual

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  12. Why should you take special care at a crossing with multiple tracks?

    A blue car waiting behind lowered gates with flashing red lights while a freight train passes on the nearer of two railroad tracks
    • Gates only protect the first track
    • Trains on multiple tracks must stop
    • Crossbuck signs are not used there
    • There may be a second train
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    Correct answer: There may be a second train

    The handbook warns that with multiple tracks there may be a second train.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 21 · Open this page in the manual

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  13. If your vehicle stalls on a railroad crossing, what should you do?

    A car stuck on railroad tracks behind stopped traffic, with the gates down and a train approaching
    • Get everyone out and immediately move as far away as possible
    • Stay in the vehicle and keep trying to restart the engine
    • Stay inside with seat belts on until a train is seen
    • Push the vehicle off the tracks if a train is close
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    Correct answer: Get everyone out and immediately move as far away as possible

    You should get everyone out and move as far away as possible right away, even if you do not see a train approaching.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 21 · Open this page in the manual

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  14. After you have moved away from a vehicle stalled on a crossing, which phone number does the handbook say to call?

    A car stuck on railroad tracks behind stopped traffic, with the gates down and a train approaching
    • The number on the yellow advance warning sign
    • Your insurance company, before anyone else
    • The number on the blue Emergency Notification Sign
    • The railroad number printed on your registration
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    Correct answer: The number on the blue Emergency Notification Sign

    The handbook says to call the number on the blue Emergency Notification Sign near the crossbuck sign or contact local law enforcement.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 21 · Open this page in the manual

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  15. What do Emergency Notification System (ENS) signs provide?

    • A schedule of the trains that use the crossing
    • The number of tracks at the crossing
    • A warning that a train is approaching
    • A 24/7/365 number for reporting crossing emergencies
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A 24/7/365 number for reporting crossing emergencies

    ENS signs provide a 24/7/365 telephone number for reporting problems or emergencies at the crossing.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 21 · Open this page in the manual

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  16. Where are Emergency Notification System (ENS) signs typically located?

    • On the railroad crossing posts below the crossbuck
    • Above the advance warning sign ahead of the crossing
    • On the pavement in front of the crossing
    • On a pole well before the crossing
    Show answer

    Correct answer: On the railroad crossing posts below the crossbuck

    The handbook says ENS signs are typically located on the railroad crossing posts below the crossbuck.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 21 · Open this page in the manual

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  17. Why should you give the DOT (X-ING) crossing number from an ENS sign when reporting a problem?

    • It lets the dispatcher identify your vehicle's license plate
    • It shows how many trains pass the crossing each day
    • The railroad dispatcher knows exactly where the crossing is
    • It tells the dispatcher what kind of train is coming
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    Correct answer: The railroad dispatcher knows exactly where the crossing is

    The crossing number lets the dispatcher know exactly where the crossing is so trains can be notified to stop.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 21 · Open this page in the manual

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  18. About how far does the average freight train traveling at 55 mph need to stop?

    A blue car driving toward a rural railroad crossing marked only by RAILROAD CROSSING crossbuck signs, as a freight train sounding its horn approaches from the left
    • About 500 feet
    • About one mile
    • About half a mile
    • About 1,000 feet
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    Correct answer: About one mile

    The handbook says the average freight train traveling at 55 mph requires about one mile to stop.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 21 · Open this page in the manual

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  19. What does the railroad crossing advance warning sign tell you?

    A round yellow sign with a black border showing a large black X with a black letter R in the left and right quarters.
    • A train is approaching
    • You must stop at the crossing
    • The crossing is closed
    • A railroad crossing is ahead
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A railroad crossing is ahead

    The advance warning sign tells you a railroad crossing is ahead, at a distance that lets you stop if necessary.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 21 · Open this page in the manual

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  20. The railroad crossing advance warning sign is the only traffic sign with which shape?

    • Round
    • Diamond
    • Square
    • Triangular
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    Correct answer: Round

    The handbook says the advance warning sign is the only round traffic sign.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 21 · Open this page in the manual

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  21. What do the pavement markings in front of a railroad crossing consist of?

    • A yellow X and a double solid line
    • A white arrow and a crosswalk
    • An “R X R” and a stop line
    • Two diagonal yellow lines and a gate
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    Correct answer: An “R X R” and a stop line

    The handbook says the markings consist of an “R X R” and a stop line.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 21 · Open this page in the manual

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  22. Where should you wait for a passing train if a stop line is painted on the pavement at a crossing?

    A two-lane road with a double yellow center line leading to railroad tracks: a large X with the letters R R painted in the lane, a white line across the lane before the rails, a crossbuck and a round yellow sign beside the road, and a blue car approaching
    • On the tracks' edge
    • Behind the painted stop line
    • Just past the stop line
    • Beside the crossbuck sign
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Behind the painted stop line

    The handbook says to always stay behind the painted stop line while waiting for a passing train.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 21 · Open this page in the manual

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