Tennessee: Railroad crossings — Part 1 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “Which of these is among the pavement markings at a railroad crossing?” · “Which of these is an indication that a train is approaching a crossing?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual" (March 2025 printing), Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
All 24 questions in this practice test
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A round yellow sign shows a black X and two letters R. What does it always mean?
- A railroad grade crossing is ahead
- A crossroad intersection is ahead
- The road ahead is closed
- A four-way stop is ahead
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Correct answer: A railroad grade crossing is ahead
The round railroad sign always means you are approaching a railroad grade crossing.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
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What must you do when you see the round railroad advance warning sign?
- Stop at the sign every time
- Speed up to cross quickly
- Slow down and be ready to stop
- Sound your horn and keep going
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Correct answer: Slow down and be ready to stop
At the round railroad sign you must slow down and be ready to stop, because it is up to you to stop if a train is coming.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
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Why should you never try to “beat” a train to a crossing?
- A train always stops for cars on the tracks
- You will usually misjudge its speed
- The crossing lights stay on too long
- Trains speed up when near a crossing
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Correct answer: You will usually misjudge its speed
Drivers who race a train usually misjudge how fast it is going.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
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What does a crossbuck (broad “X”) sign show?
- How far away the nearest train is
- The safe speed for crossing the tracks
- The time when the next train will pass
- Exactly where the tracks are located
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Correct answer: Exactly where the tracks are located
A crossbuck is placed at all railroad grade crossings and marks exactly where the tracks are.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
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A small sign under a crossbuck reads “3 TRACKS.” Why is knowing the number of tracks important?
- One train may hide a train coming the other way
- You must stop once before each of the tracks
- Each track has its own posted speed limit
- Only one of the tracks is still in use today
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Correct answer: One train may hide a train coming the other way
When there are two or more tracks, a passing train can hide another train approaching from the other direction.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
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Two red lights under a crossbuck are flashing. What do they mean?
- The crossing is out of order
- A train has just passed
- A train is coming
- Slow down, no stop is needed
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Correct answer: A train is coming
Flashing lights on a crossbuck mean a train is coming, so you must stop.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
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You stop for flashing lights at a crossbuck that has no gate. How long must you remain stopped?
- For ten seconds, then cross with care
- Until the train has passed
- Until the lights begin to flash faster
- Until the car ahead of you starts to cross
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Correct answer: Until the train has passed
At a crossbuck with flashing lights, stop and stay stopped until the train has passed.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
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A train has just passed a crossing that has more than one track. What must you do before crossing?
- Cross right behind the train
- Wait one minute, then cross
- Follow the car ahead across
- Be sure all tracks are clear
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Correct answer: Be sure all tracks are clear
Where there is more than one track, make sure every track is clear before you cross.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
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You are approaching a railroad crossing that has flashing lights and a gate. When must you stop?
- When the lights begin flashing
- Once the gate is fully down
- When the gate starts to rise
- When the car ahead stops
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Correct answer: When the lights begin flashing
At a crossing with lights and a gate, stop when the lights begin flashing, before the gate comes down.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
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At a railroad crossing with flashing lights and a gate, how long must you remain stopped?
- Until the gates begin to rise from the road
- Until the front of the train has gone by
- Until the gates are up and the lights stop flashing
- Until the vehicle in front of you starts to cross
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Correct answer: Until the gates are up and the lights stop flashing
At a gated crossing, stay stopped until the gates are raised and the lights have stopped flashing.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
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A white crossbuck and the letters RR painted on the pavement are a warning marker for what?
- School crossings and pedestrian walkways
- Many railroad/highway grade crossings
- Bicycle crossings on shared-use paths
- Truck parking areas and rest stops
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Correct answer: Many railroad/highway grade crossings
A white crossbuck with RR on the pavement warns of a railroad/highway grade crossing.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 43 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 43)
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Which of these is among the pavement markings at a railroad crossing?
- A yellow diamond and a double white line across both lanes
- A crossbuck (X), the letters RR, a no-passing stripe and a stop line
- A white arrow, the word TRAIN and a solid red stripe
- Two red stripes, a bike symbol and a yellow diamond
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Correct answer: A crossbuck (X), the letters RR, a no-passing stripe and a stop line
Railroad crossing pavement markings include a large crossbuck, the letters RR, a no-passing zone stripe and a stop line.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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Every motor vehicle should be driven at a speed that permits it to be stopped before reaching what?
- The first warning sign at a railroad crossing
- The middle of the tracks
- The far side of the tracks
- The nearest rail of a railroad crossing
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Correct answer: The nearest rail of a railroad crossing
Drive at a speed that lets you stop before the nearest rail of a crossing, and do not cross until all tracks are completely clear.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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When you approach a railroad crossing and a train is coming, how far from the tracks must you stop?
- Between 15 and 50 feet
- Between 5 and 10 feet
- Between 50 and 100 feet
- Between 100 and 200 feet
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Correct answer: Between 15 and 50 feet
You must stop between 15 and 50 feet from the railroad tracks and never stop on the tracks.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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Violations of railroad signals or signs carry what penalties?
- Higher penalties than any other traffic violation
- No penalty if no train is present
- The same penalties as other traffic control devices
- Only a warning for a first offense
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Correct answer: The same penalties as other traffic control devices
The manual says violating railroad signals or signs carries the same penalties as other traffic control devices.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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Which of these is an indication that a train is approaching a crossing?
- A crossing gate that is lowered
- A green light at the crossing
- A raised crossing gate
- A speed limit sign next to the tracks
Show answer
Correct answer: A crossing gate that is lowered
A lowered crossing gate, flashing lights on a crossbuck sign, or a human flagger all indicate an approaching train.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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About how far from a railroad crossing must trains signal with a horn?
- Approximately 500 feet
- Approximately 3,000 feet
- Approximately 1,500 feet
- Approximately 150 feet
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Correct answer: Approximately 1,500 feet
Trains are required to sound their horn when about 1,500 feet from passing through a crossing.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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An empty school bus approaches a railroad crossing where no signal is active. What does Tennessee law require of it?
- It may cross without stopping because no children are aboard
- It must stop only if a train is visible
- It must slow down but need not stop when the signals are off
- It must stop before crossing, whether or not it carries passengers
Show answer
Correct answer: It must stop before crossing, whether or not it carries passengers
Church and school buses must stop before every railroad grade crossing, even when empty.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)
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Which of these vehicles must stop before crossing any railroad grade crossing, whether or not signals are activated?
- A pickup truck pulling a trailer
- A taxi carrying passengers for hire
- A car carrying a family of five
- A truck hauling lumber
Show answer
Correct answer: A taxi carrying passengers for hire
Common carriers such as taxis and other vehicles transporting passengers for hire are required by law to stop at every crossing.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)
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Which cargo makes a truck stop at every railroad grade crossing, whether or not a train is coming?
- Flammables, explosives or other dangerous articles
- Farm produce, grain or livestock hauled to market
- Building materials such as lumber, brick or steel
- Household furniture and goods in a moving van
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Correct answer: Flammables, explosives or other dangerous articles
Vehicles carrying flammables, explosives or other dangerous articles as cargo must stop before crossing any railroad crossing.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)
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You are following a bus toward a railroad crossing. What shows that the bus is getting ready to stop?
- It moves to the left lane and sounds its horn
- It speeds up and flashes its headlights
- It pulls to the right and shows its stoplights
- It turns on its red roof lights
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Correct answer: It pulls to the right and shows its stoplights
The side movement to the right along with the stoplights is a clear signal, day or night, that a bus is about to stop at a crossing.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)
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How do tanker trucks and other vehicles required to stop at all railroad tracks usually signal the stop?
- By displaying their emergency flashers
- By sounding the horn twice
- By flashing the high beams
- By extending an arm out of the window
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Correct answer: By displaying their emergency flashers
These vehicles usually show their emergency flashers to warn other drivers that a stop is coming.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)
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When should you leave extra space ahead of your vehicle, besides using the 2-Second Rule?
- When driving on an empty straight road
- When approaching railroad crossings
- When passing a green traffic light
- When driving through a parking lot
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Correct answer: When approaching railroad crossings
The manual says to leave extra space when approaching railroad crossings or when stopped behind a vehicle on a hill or curve.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 94 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 94)
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What do you need to make sure of at a railroad crossing?
- That your headlights are on high beam
- That no trains are coming and that you have room to cross
- That the vehicle behind you has also come to a complete stop
- That your horn is working
Show answer
Correct answer: That no trains are coming and that you have room to cross
You must check for trains and make sure you have room to get across.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 102 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 102)