Driving Test Practice

North Carolina: Railroad crossings — Part 1 Practice Test

Questions in this part include: “When you must stop at a railroad crossing, how far from the nearest rail must you stop?” · “About how many miles of railroad tracks are there in N.C.?”

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17 questions · About 7 min

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Questions are original and based on the official manual "North Carolina Driver Handbook" (Revised May 2025), North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV).

All 17 questions in this practice test

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  1. When you must stop at a railroad crossing, how far from the nearest rail must you stop?

    • Within 50 feet, but not less than 15 feet
    • Within 100 feet, but not less than 50 feet
    • Within 25 feet, but not less than 5 feet
    • Within 30 feet, but not less than 10 feet
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    Correct answer: Within 50 feet, but not less than 15 feet

    G.S. 20-142.1 requires the driver to stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 60 · Open this page in the manual

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  2. You must stop at a crossing when a train that is an immediate hazard emits an audible signal from within approximately how far of the crossing?

    • 1,500 feet
    • 500 feet
    • 1,000 feet
    • 2,500 feet
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    Correct answer: 1,500 feet

    A train approaching within approximately 1,500 feet that emits an audible signal and is an immediate hazard requires you to stop.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 60 · Open this page in the manual

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  3. When must you stop for an approaching railroad train that is plainly visible?

    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
    • Only when its whistle can be heard from 500 feet
    • Only when the train is less than one mile from the crossing
    • When it is in hazardous proximity to the crossing
    • Only when a flagger signals you to stop
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    Correct answer: When it is in hazardous proximity to the crossing

    You must stop when an approaching train is plainly visible and in hazardous proximity to the crossing.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 60 · Open this page in the manual

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  4. Which of these does the law prohibit at a railroad crossing?

    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.
    • Stopping within 50 feet of a gate that is fully raised and open
    • Driving around a gate that is closed or is being opened or closed
    • Waiting behind a lowered gate until the train has passed
    • Stopping at least 15 feet from the nearest rail before a gate lowers
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    Correct answer: Driving around a gate that is closed or is being opened or closed

    No person shall drive through, around or under a crossing gate while it is closed or being opened or closed.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 60 · Open this page in the manual

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  5. When stopping as required at a railroad crossing, how should you position your vehicle?

    A long freight train crosses a road past lowered red-and-white striped gate arms with flashing red lights, and a white stop line on each side.
    • In the center of the roadway so that others can pass on either side
    • Forming two lanes of traffic wherever the road is wide enough
    • Straddling the center line so you can see both directions
    • As far to the right of the highway as possible
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    Correct answer: As far to the right of the highway as possible

    The driver shall keep as far to the right of the highway as possible when stopping at a railroad crossing.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 60 · Open this page in the manual

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  6. When may drivers stopped at a railroad crossing form two lanes of traffic?

    • Only when the roadway is marked for two or more lanes
    • Whenever the shoulder is wide enough for a second line of vehicles
    • Only when the roadway is marked for four or more lanes of traffic
    • Only when an officer at the crossing directs traffic to do so
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    Correct answer: Only when the roadway is marked for four or more lanes of traffic

    Drivers shall not form two lanes at a crossing unless the roadway is marked for four or more lanes of traffic.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 60 · Open this page in the manual

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  7. According to G.S. 20-142.1, what is a driver who violates the railroad signal law guilty of?

    • An infraction
    • A felony
    • A Class 1 misdemeanor
    • Nothing, if no crash occurs
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    Correct answer: An infraction

    The statute says anyone who violates its provisions is guilty of an infraction.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 60 · Open this page in the manual

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  8. An employer who knowingly authorizes a commercial motor vehicle driver to violate the railroad crossing law is guilty of an infraction and also subject to what?

    • Loss of the company's business license
    • A mandatory driver-safety course for staff
    • Suspension of every driver's license
    • A civil penalty under G.S. 20-37.21
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    Correct answer: A civil penalty under G.S. 20-37.21

    The employer is guilty of an infraction and will also be subject to a civil penalty under G.S. 20-37.21.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 60 · Open this page in the manual

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  9. About how many miles of railroad tracks are there in N.C.?

    • Over 1,000 miles
    • Over 5,000 miles
    • Over 2,500 miles
    • Over 10,000 miles
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    Correct answer: Over 5,000 miles

    The manual says there are over 5,000 miles of railroad tracks in N.C.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 60 · Open this page in the manual

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  10. About how many railroad crossings are there in N.C.?

    • 2,800
    • 6,800
    • 4,800
    • 9,800
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    Correct answer: 6,800

    The manual says there are 6,800 railroad crossings in N.C.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 60 · Open this page in the manual

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  11. How far does a train traveling at 55 mph take to come to a stop?

    • About 500 feet
    • About a quarter of a mile
    • About half a mile
    • More than a mile
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    Correct answer: More than a mile

    A train that is traveling at 55 mph takes more than a mile to come to a stop.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 60 · Open this page in the manual

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  12. What does a yellow and black “RR” sign indicate?

    A round yellow sign with a black border showing a large black X with a black letter R in the left and right quarters.
    • You are approaching a railroad crossing
    • Trains stop at a station ahead
    • Trains are prohibited from crossing the road ahead
    • The road ahead is closed to all vehicle traffic
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    Correct answer: You are approaching a railroad crossing

    A yellow and black “RR” sign indicates that you are approaching a railroad crossing.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 60 · Open this page in the manual

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  13. As you approach the railroad tracks, 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.
    • Speed up so you clear the tracks before a train arrives
    • Look only in the direction from which trains normally come
    • Look both ways and listen because you may have to stop
    • Stop only if you see a train or a flashing light
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Look both ways and listen because you may have to stop

    The manual says to look both ways and listen as you approach the tracks because you may have to stop.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 60 · Open this page in the manual

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  14. From which direction and at what time can trains approach a 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
    • Only at scheduled times of the day
    • Only from one direction on a single track
    • Only when the warning lights are flashing
    • At any time from any direction
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    Correct answer: At any time from any direction

    The manual says trains can approach a crossing at any time from any direction.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 60 · Open this page in the manual

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  15. Who always has the right of way 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
    • The largest vehicle
    • The train
    • The first vehicle to arrive
    • Emergency vehicles
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    Correct answer: The train

    The train always has the right of way at a railroad crossing.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 60 · Open this page in the manual

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  16. If there is a stop sign at a railroad crossing, what must you do?

    A blue car approaches a rural railroad crossing where a STOP sign is mounted below the RAILROAD CROSSING crossbuck, with a white stop line before the empty track.
    • Slow down and cross if no train is visible
    • Stop only if a train is in sight
    • Come to a full stop before safely crossing
    • Yield to the vehicle ahead and follow it across
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    Correct answer: Come to a full stop before safely crossing

    If there is a stop sign at a crossing, you must come to a full stop before safely crossing.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 60 · Open this page in the manual

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  17. Trains have the right of way over which highway traffic?

    A rural railroad crossing with flashing red crossing signals and a train approaching along the track from the left; an ambulance with its lights on approaches the crossing with the blue car following.
    • All highway traffic, including police, fire and ambulance emergency vehicles
    • All traffic except police, fire and ambulance emergency vehicles
    • Only private vehicles, but not buses or commercial trucks
    • Only vehicles that have stopped at the crossing
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    Correct answer: All highway traffic, including police, fire and ambulance emergency vehicles

    Trains have the right of way over all highway traffic, including police, fire and ambulance emergency vehicles.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 60 · Open this page in the manual

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