Driving Test Practice

Iowa: Railroad crossings — Part 2 Practice Test

Questions in this part include: “How does the width of a train compare with the width of the tracks?” · “While waiting for a train to pass at a crossing that has a white stop line, where should you stay?”

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23 questions · About 9 min

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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Iowa Driver’s License Manual" (July 2026), Iowa Department of Transportation.

All 23 questions in this practice test

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  1. How does a train compare with how it looks from a distance?

    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
    • It is always farther away than it appears
    • It is always traveling slower than it appears
    • It travels at a constant speed that is easy to judge
    • It may be closer and traveling faster than it appears
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    Correct answer: It may be closer and traveling faster than it appears

    The manual warns that trains may be closer and traveling faster than they appear and can run on any track at any time.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 12

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  2. What must you be able to do before you proceed when a railroad crossing has 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
    • Hear the horn of each approaching train
    • Identify which track the first train will use
    • See clearly down the tracks in both directions
    • Follow the vehicle ahead of you across
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    Correct answer: See clearly down the tracks in both directions

    Multiple tracks may mean multiple trains, so you must ensure you can clearly see down the tracks in both directions before proceeding.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 12

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  3. What should you never try to do when a train is approaching 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 the train
    • Stop behind the white line
    • Look both ways
    • Wait for the lights to stop flashing
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    Correct answer: Beat the train

    The manual says to avoid crossing while lights are flashing or gates are down and never to try to beat a train.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 12

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  4. Before you cross railroad tracks, what must you be sure of?

    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.
    • That the crossing has gates
    • That the train's horn has sounded
    • That your fuel tank is at least half full
    • That you can completely clear the tracks
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    Correct answer: That you can completely clear the tracks

    Before crossing, you must be sure you can completely clear the tracks so you do not get stuck on them.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 12

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  5. How does the width of a train compare with the width of the tracks?

    • Trains are exactly as wide as the tracks
    • Trains are wider than the tracks
    • Trains are narrower than the tracks
    • Trains are the same width only on curves
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    Correct answer: Trains are wider than the tracks

    The manual tells drivers to keep in mind that trains are wider than the tracks when deciding whether they can clear the crossing.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 12

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  6. When you are stopped near a railroad crossing, how much space should you leave between your vehicle and the nearest rail?

    A blue car behind a white line beside lowered red-and-white striped gate arms and flashing red lights, while a long freight train crosses the road.
    • At least 15 feet
    • At least 5 feet
    • At least 10 feet
    • At least 25 feet
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    Correct answer: At least 15 feet

    When stopped, leave at least 15 feet between the front and rear of your vehicle and the nearest rail.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 12

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  7. What does the manual say about shifting gears while crossing railroad tracks?

    • Shift to a lower gear on the tracks
    • Shift into neutral to coast across
    • Avoid shifting gears while crossing
    • Shift gears quickly to speed up the crossing
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    Correct answer: Avoid shifting gears while crossing

    Drivers should avoid shifting gears while crossing the tracks.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 12

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  8. A white X-shaped sign reading RAILROAD CROSSING stands at a crossing and a train is approaching. What must you do?

    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
    • Speed up and cross ahead of the train
    • Yield to the train
    • Proceed if the train is far away
    • Honk your horn and cross before the train arrives
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    Correct answer: Yield to the train

    At a crossbuck you must yield if a train is approaching, because trains always have the right-of-way.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 13

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  9. Who always has the right-of-way 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.
    • Vehicles that arrive first at the crossing
    • Vehicles that are already crossing
    • Vehicles carrying the most passengers
    • Trains
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    Correct answer: Trains

    Trains always have the right-of-way at a railroad crossing.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 13

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  10. What should you do when the red lights at a railroad crossing are flashing?

    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 glowing red lamps stands beside the track.
    • Slow down and cross if you see no train coming
    • Go around the gate arm if there is no train in sight
    • Stop and wait until they stop flashing
    • Stop only when the gate arms have come down
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    Correct answer: Stop and wait until they stop flashing

    You should stop when the lights are flashing and not proceed until the lights stop flashing.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 13

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  11. You have already started across the tracks when the red lights begin flashing. What should you do?

    A red car on railroad tracks as the crossing's red lights flash and the gates come down, with a car on the other side
    • Keep going
    • Stop on the tracks and wait
    • Back up to where you started
    • Stop and wait for the gates to lower
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    Correct answer: Keep going

    If the lights begin flashing after you start across the tracks, you should keep going.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 13

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  12. When may you proceed after the gates at a railroad crossing have lowered and the lights have started flashing?

    • As soon as you can see no train coming
    • After the train's horn stops sounding
    • Once other drivers begin driving around the gates
    • Only after the lights turn off and the gates go up
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Only after the lights turn off and the gates go up

    With lowering gates and flashing red lights, you must not proceed until the lights turn off and the gates go up.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 13

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  13. What does the manual say about driving around lowered railroad crossing gates?

    A red car waits behind the white line at a railroad crossing with flashing red lights and two lowered gate arms, as a locomotive approaches from the left.
    • It is allowed if no train is in sight
    • It is illegal and dangerous
    • It is allowed if you drive slowly
    • It is allowed if you first stop and look
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    Correct answer: It is illegal and dangerous

    It is illegal and dangerous to go around lowered gates at a railroad crossing.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 13

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  14. What is true of the phone number and location ID number on Emergency Notification System signs?

    A blue rectangular sign with white words: REPORT PROBLEM OR EMERGENCY, the phone number 1-800-555-5555, X-ING 836 597 H and XYZ RAILROAD.
    • Each sign has a different phone number and location ID number
    • All signs show the same phone number and location ID number
    • Only the location ID differs; the phone number is the same everywhere
    • Neither number is printed on the sign itself
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    Correct answer: Each sign has a different phone number and location ID number

    Each Emergency Notification System sign has its own phone number and location ID number.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 13

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  15. Which of these should you also report using the phone number on an Emergency Notification System sign?

    A blue rectangular sign with white words: REPORT PROBLEM OR EMERGENCY, the phone number 1-800-555-5555, X-ING 836 597 H and XYZ RAILROAD.
    • A train running behind schedule
    • Slow traffic on a nearby road
    • Debris on the tracks
    • Loud train horns at night
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Debris on the tracks

    Besides a stuck or stalled vehicle, the number is also used to report people, vehicles or debris on the tracks, damaged signs or signals, and obstructed views.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 13

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  16. What do the letters RxR and a wide white line painted across the road mean?

    A blue car approaches a large white X with an R on each side (R X R), painted across its lane between two white lines on a two-lane road.
    • A school crossing is directly ahead
    • You are approaching a railroad crossing
    • A lane is reserved for buses only
    • A bicycle lane begins at this point
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    Correct answer: You are approaching a railroad crossing

    RxR and a wide white line on the roadway mean you are approaching a railroad crossing.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 13

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  17. While waiting for a train to pass at a crossing that has a white stop line, where should you stay?

    • Just past the white line
    • Beside the nearest rail
    • On the shoulder next to the crossbuck
    • Behind the white line
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Behind the white line

    You should stay behind the white line while waiting for a train to pass.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 13

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  18. A yellow diamond sign shows a low vehicle on railroad tracks with the words LOW GROUND CLEARANCE. What does it warn of?

    A yellow diamond sign with a black symbol of a long, low trailer truck whose middle touches the top of a curved bump in the road, with short lines above that point, and a yellow plaque below it with the words LOW GROUND CLEARANCE.
    • A crossing that is closed
    • A railroad crossing with two tracks
    • A raised crossing ahead
    • A low bridge ahead
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    Correct answer: A raised crossing ahead

    The low ground clearance sign warns of a raised crossing ahead where low vehicles risk getting hung up on the tracks.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 13

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  19. At a low ground clearance railroad crossing, when may you proceed?

    Top view of a two-lane rural road crossing a railroad track, with a white crossbuck on each side at the tracks and, on the right before the tracks, a yellow diamond sign with a small yellow plaque below it. A blue car approaches from the bottom.
    • Once you know your vehicle will clear the tracks
    • As soon as the road ahead looks clear of cars
    • After you slow to a crawl and look both ways
    • Once a train has sounded its horn nearby
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Once you know your vehicle will clear the tracks

    You must not proceed until you know your vehicle will clear the tracks, because low vehicles can get hung up.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 13

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  20. What should you do when you see a round yellow sign with a black X between two letter Rs?

    A round yellow sign with a black border showing a large black X with a black letter R in the left and right quarters.
    • Stop completely and wait for a signal to go
    • Yield to traffic on the cross street first
    • Speed up to clear the tracks quickly
    • Slow down, look, listen, and be prepared to stop
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    Correct answer: Slow down, look, listen, and be prepared to stop

    The railroad advance warning sign means to slow down, look, listen and be prepared to stop.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 13

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  21. Typically, which railroad crossing sign is the first one you see when approaching a crossing?

    • The crossbuck
    • The advance warning sign
    • The Emergency Notification System sign
    • The low ground clearance sign
    Show answer

    Correct answer: The advance warning sign

    The advance warning sign is typically the first sign you see when approaching a railroad crossing.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 13

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  22. What does the manual say about warning devices at railroad crossings on rural roads?

    • Flashing lights and bells are always installed, but gates are not
    • They always have crossing gates that lower when a train comes
    • There are typically no flashing lights, bells, gates or pavement markings
    • They have the same warning devices as crossings on major roads
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    Correct answer: There are typically no flashing lights, bells, gates or pavement markings

    Unlike most railroad crossings on major roads, rural road crossings typically have no red flashing lights, warning bells, crossing gates or pavement markings.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 56

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  23. What should you always do before crossing railroad tracks on a rural road?

    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.
    • Keep your speed and wait for warning bells to tell you a train is near
    • Slow down, look both ways, and be prepared to stop for a train
    • Look only in the direction of traffic and cross without slowing
    • Cross quickly so that a train cannot reach the crossing first
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Slow down, look both ways, and be prepared to stop for a train

    Rural crossings usually have no automatic warnings, so you must always slow down, look both ways and be prepared to stop for a train.

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 56

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