Georgia: Railroad crossings Practice Test
Crossing signs, signals and gates, and what to do at a crossing.
Independent educational site · not affiliated with any government agency or DMV
Ready? Test yourself
- Instant feedback with an explanation
- Every answer cites its source in the manual
- Your best score is saved on this device
Questions are original and based on the official manual "Georgia Driver's Manual" (2023-2024), Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS).
All 23 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
Show the questions and answersHide the questions
-
At a railroad crossing where you must stop, how far from the nearest rail must you stop?
- Within 100 feet, but not less than 50 feet
- Within 30 feet, but not less than 5 feet
- Within 50 feet, but not less than 15 feet
- Within 25 feet, but not less than 10 feet
Show answer
Correct answer: Within 50 feet, but not less than 15 feet
The manual says to stop within 50 feet, but not less than 15 feet, from the nearest rail.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 21
-
At a railroad crossing, which of these is a situation in which you must stop?
- The crossing has only one set of tracks
- The crossing is in a rural area
- The posted speed limit is higher than 35 mph
- A flagman is giving a signal
Show answer
Correct answer: A flagman is giving a signal
A flagman giving a signal is one of the conditions that require you to stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet of the rail.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 21
-
At a railroad crossing, which of these is a situation in which you must stop?
- A train gives a warning signal and is an immediate hazard
- A train is visible but more than a mile away and standing still
- The road surface on both sides of the tracks is dry
- The crossing is on a road with a speed limit below 30 mph
Show answer
Correct answer: A train gives a warning signal and is an immediate hazard
A train giving a warning signal that is an immediate hazard because of its speed or nearness requires you to stop.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 21
-
When may a motorist drive through, around or under a crossing gate that is lowered?
- When no train can be seen in either direction
- After stopping and looking both ways
- Under no circumstances
- When the lights have stopped flashing
Show answer
Correct answer: Under no circumstances
The manual says that under no circumstances should a motorist drive through, around or under any lowered crossing gate.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 21
-
After stopping at a railroad crossing, when may you proceed?
- As soon as the first train has passed, even if the warning lights are still flashing
- When all tracks are clear, the warning signals stop flashing, the gates are raised, and it is safe
- Once the gates are raised, even if the warning signals are still flashing or bells ring
- When the driver ahead of you starts across and the tracks look clear to you from there
Show answer
Correct answer: When all tracks are clear, the warning signals stop flashing, the gates are raised, and it is safe
You must remain stopped until the tracks are clear, signals stop flashing, gates are raised, and it is safe to proceed.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 21
-
According to the 7 steps for safety at highway-rail grade crossings, when should you not enter a crossing?
- Unless you can drive completely through without stopping
- Unless the crossing gates are lowered and the lights are flashing
- Unless your headlights are turned on and your horn has been sounded
- Unless you have stopped, sounded your horn, and looked both ways
Show answer
Correct answer: Unless you can drive completely through without stopping
Step 4 says that if it won't fit, don't commit: do not enter unless you can drive completely through without stopping.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 21
-
What is the first of the 7 steps for safety at highway-rail grade crossings?
- Prepare to stop
- Look both ways and listen carefully
- Approach with care
- Cross tracks with care
Show answer
Correct answer: Approach with care
The list of 7 steps begins with approaching with care.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 21
-
What is the last of the 7 steps for safety at highway-rail grade crossings?
- Look again
- Keep going once you start
- Stop on the tracks and check
- Cross tracks with care
Show answer
Correct answer: Keep going once you start
The 7th and final step is to keep going once you start.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 21
-
If your vehicle stalls on the railroad tracks, what should you do?
- Stay inside and wait for help to arrive
- Stay inside and keep your seat belt fastened until the train approaches
- Try to restart the engine until a train is in sight
- Get out immediately and move away
Show answer
Correct answer: Get out immediately and move away
The manual says to get out immediately and move away, then call for help.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 21
-
If your vehicle stalls on the tracks, which sign should you locate for emergency contact information?
- The railroad advance warning sign ahead of the crossing
- The Emergency Notification Systems (ENS) sign
- The nearest highway mile marker on the roadside
- The yield sign posted at the crossing itself
Show answer
Correct answer: The Emergency Notification Systems (ENS) sign
The ENS sign contains the emergency contact information to use when calling for help.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 21
-
If your vehicle stalls on the tracks and you call for help, what should you tell them?
- That a train is late at the crossing
- How many passengers are in the vehicle
- That you will wait inside the vehicle
- That a vehicle is on the tracks
Show answer
Correct answer: That a vehicle is on the tracks
The manual says to call for help and tell them a vehicle is on the tracks.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 21
-
What does a round sign mean?
- You are approaching a railroad crossing
- You are approaching a school zone
- A reduced speed limit is ahead
- Traffic is merging from the right
Show answer
Correct answer: You are approaching a railroad crossing
A round sign means you are approaching a railroad crossing.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 28
-
How far in front of the tracks is the round railroad crossing sign posted?
- About 50 feet
- A few miles
- A few hundred feet
- Only at the tracks themselves
Show answer
Correct answer: A few hundred feet
The sign is posted a few hundred feet in front of the tracks to alert you to slow down, look, listen and prepare to stop.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 28
-
If a train is approaching a railroad crossing, what must you do?
- Calculate whether you can make it across
- Stop, and never try to beat the train
- Speed up to cross ahead of the train
- Change lanes to pass the vehicles in front
Show answer
Correct answer: Stop, and never try to beat the train
If a train is approaching, stop; never try to calculate whether you can make it across the track.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 28
-
At which railroad crossings is passing prohibited?
- Only railroad crossings with no gates
- Only railroad crossings without flashing lights
- Only railroad crossings on two-lane roads
- All railroad crossings
Show answer
Correct answer: All railroad crossings
Passing is prohibited at all railroad crossings.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 28
-
Where is the cross-buck placed?
- Only at crossings without gates
- Only at crossings on rural roads
- Only at crossings with several tracks
- At all railroad crossings
Show answer
Correct answer: At all railroad crossings
The cross-buck is placed at all railroad crossings.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 32
-
What must you do at a cross-buck when a train is approaching?
- Speed up to cross ahead of it
- Sound your horn and then proceed
- Yield to the approaching train
- Stop only if the crossing has gates
Show answer
Correct answer: Yield to the approaching train
At a cross-buck you must yield to any approaching trains, slowing down and looking and listening before crossing.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 32
-
What does a sign below the cross-buck indicate?
- The number of tracks
- The speed limit for trains
- The distance to the next crossing
- The type of warning device installed
Show answer
Correct answer: The number of tracks
A sign below the cross-buck indicates the number of tracks.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 32
-
At a railroad crossing with a cross-buck, when is a complete stop required?
- Only when a train is in sight
- Only when it is dark outside
- When a red light is flashing
- Whenever a cross-buck is present
Show answer
Correct answer: When a red light is flashing
The manual states that a complete stop is required when a red light is flashing.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 32
-
Where a railroad crosses a road, what is the pavement usually marked with?
- A large X and two R's
- A large X and two T's
- Two large X's and one R
- A large R and a yellow arrow
Show answer
Correct answer: A large X and two R's
The pavement is usually marked with a large X and two R's at railroad crossings.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 36
-
At railroad crossings, where is a yellow line always placed, and why?
- On the left side of the center line, to prevent passing
- In the middle of the lane, to show the stopping point
- On the right side of the center line, to prevent passing
- Across the road, to mark the place to stop for trains
Show answer
Correct answer: On the right side of the center line, to prevent passing
At railroad crossings a yellow line is always placed on the right side of the center line to prevent passing.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 36
-
What may a railroad crossing be equipped with to warn drivers of approaching trains?
- Rumble strips and warning horns
- Control arms and/or emergency lights
- Speed bumps and yield signs
- Overhead lane signals
Show answer
Correct answer: Control arms and/or emergency lights
The crossing is sometimes equipped with control arms and/or emergency lights to warn drivers of approaching trains.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 36
-
What must the driver do if the warning signals at a railroad crossing indicate a train is approaching?
- Slow down and cross if no train is visible
- Sound the horn and cross quickly
- Yield and cross if the way is clear
- Stop
Show answer
Correct answer: Stop
The driver must stop if warning signals indicate a train is approaching.
Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 36