Driving Test Practice

Connecticut: Railroad crossings Practice Test

Railroad crossing signs, signals and gates, and how to cross the tracks safely.

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23 questions · About 9 min

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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Connecticut Driver's Manual" (Revised March 2023), Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

All 23 questions in this practice test

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  1. As you approach any railroad crossing, 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.
    • Slow down and look up and down the tracks for any train
    • Keep your speed and listen for a train horn to decide whether to stop
    • Stop only when you actually see a train or warning lights at the crossing
    • Shift to a lower gear and cross as quickly as you safely can
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    Correct answer: Slow down and look up and down the tracks for any train

    The manual says to slow down and look up and down the tracks to make sure that no trains are coming.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 15 · Open this page in the manual

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  2. According to the manual, what is one of the leading causes of fatalities at railroad crossings?

    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
    • Stopping too close to the tracks
    • Driving too slowly across the tracks
    • Assuming that a train is not coming
    • Parking too near the crossing
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Assuming that a train is not coming

    Even if you have never seen a train at a crossing, do not assume none are coming; that assumption is a leading cause of fatalities.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 15 · Open this page in the manual

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  3. What must you check on the far side of a railroad crossing before you cross?

    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
    • That the pavement is dry and free of ice
    • That there is room there for your vehicle
    • That a flagger has waved you across
    • That the road beyond has a higher speed limit
    Show answer

    Correct answer: That there is room there for your vehicle

    Make sure there is room for your vehicle on the far side before you cross the tracks.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 15 · Open this page in the manual

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  4. At a railroad crossing with more than one track, when should you start to cross after a train passes?

    A blue car waiting behind lowered gates with flashing red lights while a freight train passes on the nearer of two railroad tracks
    • As soon as the last railcar has passed you
    • As soon as the driver behind you honks
    • After counting to ten once the train has passed
    • Once the passing train is well down the track
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Once the passing train is well down the track

    The train that just passed may hide another one that is approaching, so wait until it is well down the track.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 15 · Open this page in the manual

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  5. Some trucks are required by law to stop at railroad crossings. What should you do when one stops and no train is approaching?

    • Pass the stopped truck on the left to avoid being delayed
    • Honk to tell the driver to cross the tracks right away
    • Drive around the stopped truck on the shoulder to save time
    • Be alert and let the truck driver stop and resume travel safely
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Be alert and let the truck driver stop and resume travel safely

    You should be alert and allow the truck driver to stop and to resume travel safely if no train is approaching.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 20 · Open this page in the manual

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  6. When you cross railroad tracks, what must you make 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
    • That you can cross the tracks at full highway speed
    • That you have shifted into a lower gear before crossing
    • That you can cross without having to stop on the tracks
    • That all other vehicles have crossed ahead of you first
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    Correct answer: That you can cross without having to stop on the tracks

    The manual says to make sure you can cross without stopping on the tracks.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 21 · Open this page in the manual

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  7. Which vehicles does the manual say are required to stop at railroad crossings, so you should leave extra room behind them?

    • Taxis, delivery vans, pickup trucks and passenger cars in general
    • Pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and small passenger cars
    • Transit buses, school buses and vehicles carrying hazardous materials
    • Motorcycles, bicycles and mopeds traveling in the right lane
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    Correct answer: Transit buses, school buses and vehicles carrying hazardous materials

    The manual names transit buses, school buses and vehicles carrying hazardous materials.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 21 · Open this page in the manual

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  8. Why slow down at some railroad crossings?

    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
    • Trains always cross at low speed
    • The crossing signs are hard to read
    • Some crossings are bumpy
    • The road narrows at the tracks
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Some crossings are bumpy

    The manual says some crossings are bumpy, so you need to slow down to cross safely.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 22 · Open this page in the manual

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  9. What should you not do if there is a railroad grade crossing ahead?

    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
    • Pass another vehicle
    • Slow down
    • Look for trains
    • Check for room to cross
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Pass another vehicle

    The manual says not to pass if there is a railroad grade crossing ahead.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 22 · Open this page in the manual

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  10. Who must yield the right-of-way to trains crossing the roadway?

    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
    • The train, if it is slowing down
    • The driver who is closer to the tracks
    • Only drivers of large vehicles
    • You, the driver
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    Correct answer: You, the driver

    The manual says you must yield the right-of-way to trains crossing the roadway.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 37 · Open this page in the manual

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  11. What should you do when you see a circular railroad crossing sign?

    A round yellow sign with a black border showing a large black X with a black letter R in the left and right quarters.
    • Speed up to cross before a train comes
    • Slow down, look and listen for trains
    • Honk your horn and proceed
    • Stop only if a train is in sight
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    Correct answer: Slow down, look and listen for trains

    At a railroad crossing sign, slow down, look and listen for trains.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 46 · Open this page in the manual

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  12. What should you never try to do at a railroad crossing?

    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
    • Beat a train across the tracks
    • Wait for a train to pass
    • Look both ways before crossing
    • Cross at a slow, steady speed
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    Correct answer: Beat a train across the tracks

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

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 51 · Open this page in the manual

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  13. If there is not room for your vehicle on the far side of a railroad crossing and you would have to stop on the tracks, what should you do?

    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.
    • Cross quickly and stop as soon as you are past the tracks
    • Stop on the tracks and wait for the traffic ahead to move
    • Wait until there is room on the far side before you start to cross
    • Stop on the tracks and turn on your hazard lights until clear
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Wait until there is room on the far side before you start to cross

    The manual says never start to cross if you would have to stop on the tracks; wait until there is room on the far side.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 51 · Open this page in the manual

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  14. Why does the manual say it is wise not to shift gears when crossing railroad tracks?

    • You might lose your brakes
    • You might stall
    • You might damage the rails
    • You might trigger the gates
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    Correct answer: You might stall

    The manual says it is wise not to shift gears when crossing railroad tracks because you might stall.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 51 · Open this page in the manual

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  15. Which statement about trains does the manual give?

    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
    • They are small and are moving slower than they seem to be
    • They always sound a horn long before they reach the crossing
    • They can stop quickly if the driver sees you on the tracks
    • They are large and may be moving faster than they seem to be
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    Correct answer: They are large and may be moving faster than they seem to be

    The manual says to remember that trains are large and may be moving faster than they seem to be.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 51 · Open this page in the manual

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  16. What is the purpose of a blue Emergency Notification System sign at a highway-rail grade crossing?

    • It gives a telephone number to report problems or emergencies
    • It warns drivers that a train is coming down the line
    • It tells drivers to stop at the crossing until it is clear
    • It marks the speed limit that applies at the crossing
    Show answer

    Correct answer: It gives a telephone number to report problems or emergencies

    The manual says the blue sign provides a 24/7/365 telephone number to report problems or emergencies at railroad locations.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 51 · Open this page in the manual

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  17. A round yellow sign with a black “X” and the letters “RR” is placed where?

    A round yellow sign with a black border showing a large black X with a black letter R in the left and right quarters.
    • At the railroad crossing itself, beside the tracks
    • At the start of a work zone
    • Along the road before you get to a railroad crossing
    • At the exit of a divided highway
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Along the road before you get to a railroad crossing

    The manual says this round yellow Railroad Crossing sign is placed along the road before you get to a railroad crossing.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 52 · Open this page in the manual

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  18. A white, X-shaped “Railroad Crossing” sign has the same meaning as which sign?

    A railroad crossing sign
    • Stop
    • Yield
    • Detour
    • Do Not Enter
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    Correct answer: Yield

    The manual says the crossbuck has the same meaning as a Yield sign, so you must yield to crossing trains.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 52 · Open this page in the manual

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  19. Where is the white, X-shaped crossbuck sign located?

    A railroad crossing sign
    • Along the road well before the crossing
    • Only beside the freeway
    • Only at crossings with gates
    • At the railroad crossing
    Show answer

    Correct answer: At the railroad crossing

    The manual says the crossbuck is located at the railroad crossing.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 52 · Open this page in the manual

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  20. At a crossing with flashing lights and a gate, when must you stop?

    A railroad crossing with flashing lights and a lowered gate
    • When the lights begin to flash and before the gate lowers
    • Only after the gate is fully lowered
    • Only when you see the train
    • Only if the lights flash for more than a few seconds
    Show answer

    Correct answer: When the lights begin to flash and before the gate lowers

    The manual says to stop when the lights begin to flash and before the gate lowers.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 52 · Open this page in the manual

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  21. At a crossing with flashing lights and a gate, how long must you remain stopped?

    The last boxcar of a freight train clears a single-track crossing, gates down and red lights flashing, while a blue car and a white car wait behind the stop line.
    • Until you can no longer see the train
    • Until the gates are raised, even if the lights still flash
    • Until the gates are raised and the lights stop flashing
    • Until the first vehicle in the opposite lane moves
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Until the gates are raised and the lights stop flashing

    The manual says to remain stopped until the gates are raised and the lights stop flashing.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 52 · Open this page in the manual

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  22. What must you not attempt to do at a lowered railroad gate?

    A red car on a two-lane road with a double yellow centre line, heading toward a railroad track; a white X-shaped sign with two dark lamps stands beside the track.
    • Wait for the train to pass
    • Drive around the lowered gate
    • Stop behind the stop line
    • Turn off your engine
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Drive around the lowered gate

    The manual says not to attempt to drive around the lowered gate.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 52 · Open this page in the manual

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  23. When may pedestrians not cross railroad tracks?

    Top view of a paved sidewalk crossing a single railroad track between grass lawns and trees, with a person walking along the sidewalk toward the track.
    • Only after dark, when trains are harder to see from the road
    • Only when there are no gates or flashing lights at the crossing
    • Only when a train is already visible to them and very close
    • When warned of a train by a signal, crossing gates, flagman or officer
    Show answer

    Correct answer: When warned of a train by a signal, crossing gates, flagman or officer

    The manual says pedestrians may not cross railroad tracks when warned of a train by an automatic signal, crossing gates, flagman or law enforcement officer.

    Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 52 · Open this page in the manual

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