Missouri: Railroad crossings Practice Test
Crossbucks, flashing lights and gates, the vehicles that must always stop, and what to do if you stall on the tracks.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Missouri Driver Guide" (Revised August 2026), Missouri Department of Revenue.
All 20 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.
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A round sign with an X and the letters RR is posted beside the road. What does it tell you?
- A train is approaching the crossing now
- The crossing gate is lowered ahead
- You are nearing a railroad crossing
- Railroad tracks run alongside the road
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Correct answer: You are nearing a railroad crossing
The round advance warning sign tells you that you are nearing a railroad crossing.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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When may you start to cross railroad tracks?
- As soon as the vehicle ahead of you starts across
- Only when there is room for your vehicle on the other side
- Once your front wheels reach the first rail
- Whenever no train is in sight, even if traffic is backed up beyond the tracks
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Correct answer: Only when there is room for your vehicle on the other side
You should never start to cross the tracks until there is room for your vehicle on the other side of the tracks.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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Why does the manual say it is not wise to shift gears when crossing railroad tracks?
- The tracks might damage the transmission
- Shifting gears is against the law at crossings
- It could make the crossing gate come down
- Your vehicle might stall
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Correct answer: Your vehicle might stall
It is not wise to shift gears when crossing railroad tracks, just in case your vehicle might stall.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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What can a pavement marking before a railroad crossing tell you?
- That you are nearing a railroad crossing
- That a train is approaching the crossing
- That the crossing is closed to traffic
- That the crossing has no gate
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Correct answer: That you are nearing a railroad crossing
Like the round advance warning sign, pavement markings tell you that you are nearing a railroad crossing.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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Which statement about trains at a railroad crossing is part of the manual's advice?
- Cross quickly when the train is far enough away
- Race a slow train if the road ahead is clear
- Never try to beat a train across the tracks
- Cross just ahead of a train to avoid stopping
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Correct answer: Never try to beat a train across the tracks
The manual says you should never try to beat a train across the tracks.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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A white X-shaped "crossbuck" sign at a railroad crossing has the same meaning as which sign?
- A stop sign
- A yield sign
- A one way sign
- A wrong way sign
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Correct answer: A yield sign
The crossbuck has the same meaning as a yield sign, so you must yield to trains at crossings.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)
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What does the sign under a crossbuck tell you?
- How far away the next crossing is
- Which direction the train is traveling
- How many trains are expected
- How many tracks cross the road
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Correct answer: How many tracks cross the road
The sign under the crossbuck tells you how many tracks cross the road.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)
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You approach a railroad crossing with side-by-side red lights flashing alternately, or with a lowered crossing gate. What must you do?
- Stop, and do not cross the tracks until the train has passed
- Slow down, and cross if you do not see a train
- Stop, then cross before the train reaches the crossing
- Cross carefully if you are driving a small vehicle
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Correct answer: Stop, and do not cross the tracks until the train has passed
At signal-equipped crossings you must stop and you cannot cross the tracks until the train has passed.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)
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When red lights are flashing or the gate is down at a railroad crossing, how far before the tracks must you stop?
- Within 5 to 10 feet
- Within 25 to 75 feet
- Within 15 to 50 feet
- Within 100 to 150 feet
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Correct answer: Within 15 to 50 feet
You must stop within 15 to 50 feet before the railroad tracks if the red lights are flashing or the gate is down.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)
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What does the manual say about going around a lowered crossing gate?
- You may go around it if no train is in sight
- Do not try to go around the gate
- You may go around it if you drive slowly
- You may go around it only on the left side
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Correct answer: Do not try to go around the gate
The manual says you must stop and DO NOT try to go around the gate.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)
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A train has gone by a railroad crossing. What may still be the case?
- The red lights always stop flashing at once
- The crossing gate always rises at once
- The crossbuck sign is always taken down
- The red lights may continue to flash
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Correct answer: The red lights may continue to flash
The red lights may continue to flash after the train has gone by.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)
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A railroad crossing has two or more tracks. What should you do before you cross?
- Look for a second train
- Stop on the tracks to look both ways
- Sound your horn before crossing
- Shift to a lower gear
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Correct answer: Look for a second train
If there are two or more tracks, you should look for a second train before you cross.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)
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What does the manual say to do when you see railroad crossing signs?
- Speed up so you cross before a train arrives
- Keep your speed and watch only for the gate to lower
- Slow down, look for a train, and be ready to stop
- Sound your horn and keep your speed
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Correct answer: Slow down, look for a train, and be ready to stop
When you see railroad crossing signs, you slow down, look for a train, and are ready to stop.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)
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If your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks and a train is approaching, what should you do?
- Stay buckled in and keep trying to start the engine
- Stay in the vehicle and sound your horn until the train stops
- Unfasten your seat belt, get out, and get off the tracks
- Put the vehicle in neutral and try to push it off the tracks
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Correct answer: Unfasten your seat belt, get out, and get off the tracks
The manual says to unfasten your seat belt, get out of your vehicle, and get off the tracks if a train is approaching.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 66 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 66)
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If a train is approaching your stalled vehicle, in which direction should you run?
- In the direction the train is heading
- In the direction the train is coming from
- Toward the rear of your vehicle
- Along the tracks, in front of the train
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Correct answer: In the direction the train is coming from
The manual says to run in the direction the train is coming from, because running in the direction it is heading may get you hit with debris when the train hits your vehicle.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 66 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 66)
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If your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks and no train is in sight, what should you do before trying to restart the engine?
- Stay buckled in and sound your horn
- Get out and run along the tracks
- Turn on your emergency flashers and wait
- Roll down your windows and listen for the train
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Correct answer: Roll down your windows and listen for the train
The manual says that if there is no train in sight you should roll down your windows and listen for the train.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 66 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 66)
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If you cannot start a stalled engine on railroad tracks and no train is in sight, what should you do?
- Put the vehicle in neutral and push it off the tracks
- Wait in the vehicle for help to arrive
- Leave the vehicle in gear and keep the starter turning
- Remove your seat belt and sound your horn
Show answer
Correct answer: Put the vehicle in neutral and push it off the tracks
The manual says to try to start the engine and, if that fails, to put your vehicle in neutral and push it off the tracks.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 66 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 66)
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According to the commercial vehicles chapter, which driver must stop within 15 to 50 feet before the railroad tracks?
- A driver carrying material that is corrosive, flammable, explosive, or poisonous
- A driver carrying only lumber, grain, or other dry farm products on a flatbed
- A driver carrying only empty pallets and packing materials back to a shop
- A driver whose vehicle is licensed for 12,000 pounds or less on a local trip
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Correct answer: A driver carrying material that is corrosive, flammable, explosive, or poisonous
You must stop within 15 to 50 feet before the tracks if you drive a motor vehicle carrying material that is corrosive, flammable, explosive, or poisonous.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 90 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 90)
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A driver of a school bus must stop how far before the railroad tracks, according to the commercial vehicles chapter?
- Within 5 to 15 feet
- Within 50 to 100 feet
- Within 100 to 150 feet
- Within 15 to 50 feet
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Correct answer: Within 15 to 50 feet
You must stop within 15 to 50 feet before the railroad tracks if you are driving a school bus.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 90 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 90)
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A driver of a motor vehicle that must stop before the tracks sees no sign of a train. What does the commercial vehicles chapter say?
- You must wait for a peace officer’s signal
- You may cross the tracks
- You must stay stopped for another full minute
- You must shift gears while on the tracks
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Correct answer: You may cross the tracks
The chapter says that if there is no sign of a train, you may cross the tracks.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 90 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 90)