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Vermont: Railroad crossings Practice Test

Crossbuck signs, flashing lights and gates, where to stop, vehicles that must stop at every crossing, and a car stuck on the tracks.

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18 questions · About 7 min

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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Vermont Driver's Manual" (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024)), Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles.

All 18 questions in this practice test

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  1. A circular sign shows a large X and the letters RR. What does it 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.
    • A road closed ahead
    • A railroad crossing ahead
    • A reduced speed zone ahead
    • A rest area ahead
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A railroad crossing ahead

    Circular signs with a large X and the letters RR indicate there is a railroad crossing ahead.

    Source: ⁨Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024))⁩, page 32 · Open this page in the manual

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  2. Where are crossbuck signs found?

    A railroad crossing sign
    • Only at crossings with gates
    • Only at crossings with flashing lights
    • Only at crossings on public roads
    • At all railroad crossings
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    Correct answer: At all railroad crossings

    Crossbuck signs are at all railroad crossings and show where the tracks are.

    Source: ⁨Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024))⁩, page 33 · Open this page in the manual

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  3. What do crossbuck signs indicate?

    A railroad crossing sign
    • Where the tracks are
    • That a train is coming
    • That you must stop
    • The speed limit at the crossing
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    Correct answer: Where the tracks are

    The manual says crossbuck signs indicate where the tracks are.

    Source: ⁨Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024))⁩, page 33 · Open this page in the manual

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  4. What should you do when you approach a crossbuck sign?

    Top view of a two-lane road crossing two parallel railroad tracks, with a white X-shaped crossbuck sign beside the tracks and a round yellow RR sign on the approach; a blue car drives toward the crossing and no train is in sight.
    • Stop and wait for a train to pass before you cross
    • Speed up to cross before a train can arrive
    • Slow down, look both ways and listen for trains before crossing
    • Look only in the direction of the nearest warning signal
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    Correct answer: Slow down, look both ways and listen for trains before crossing

    At a crossbuck you slow down, look both ways and listen for trains before crossing.

    Source: ⁨Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024))⁩, page 33 · Open this page in the manual

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  5. What do the smaller signs below a crossbuck indicate?

    • How fast trains travel at the crossing
    • How many tracks there are at the crossing
    • The distance to the next crossing
    • Whether the crossing has gates
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    Correct answer: How many tracks there are at the crossing

    The smaller signs below the crossbuck show the number of tracks at the crossing.

    Source: ⁨Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024))⁩, page 33 · Open this page in the manual

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  6. Why should you take extra care at a crossing with 2 or more tracks?

    Top view of a two-lane road crossing two parallel railroad tracks, with a white X-shaped crossbuck sign beside the tracks and a round yellow RR sign on the approach; a blue car drives toward the crossing and no train is in sight.
    • Trains on multiple tracks cannot stop in time
    • The gates close more slowly on crossings with two tracks
    • The signals flash for the wrong track
    • One train passing might hide a train coming the other way
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    Correct answer: One train passing might hide a train coming the other way

    With 2 or more tracks, one passing train might hide a train coming the other way.

    Source: ⁨Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024))⁩, page 33 · Open this page in the manual

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  7. It is against the law to do which of these at a closed railroad gate?

    Top view of a railroad crossing: a train approaches from the left, red lights flash on the crossbuck post, lowered gates block both lanes, and a red car is stopped behind the white stop line.
    • Drive around it
    • Wait in your vehicle until the train has passed
    • Stop not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail
    • Remain stopped until the gate has been raised
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    Correct answer: Drive around it

    The law forbids driving through, around, or under a closed railroad gate.

    Source: ⁨Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024))⁩, page 37 · Open this page in the manual

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  8. What does the manual say about passing another vehicle at a railroad crossing?

    Top view of a two-lane road crossing railroad tracks, with crossbuck signs, a round yellow RR sign and a large RXR marking painted in the lane; a red farm tractor drives toward the tracks with a blue car behind it, the blue car's left turn signal on.
    • It is allowed if no train is visible
    • It is allowed if the gates are up
    • It is against the law
    • It is allowed on roads with a broken center line
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    Correct answer: It is against the law

    Passing another vehicle at a railroad crossing is against the law.

    Source: ⁨Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024))⁩, page 37 · Open this page in the manual

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  9. How must the driver of every vehicle approach and cross any public or private railroad grade crossing?

    Top view of a two-lane road crossing two parallel railroad tracks, with a white X-shaped crossbuck sign beside the tracks and a round yellow RR sign on the approach; a blue car drives toward the crossing and no train is in sight.
    • At the posted speed limit
    • At a safe, reduced speed
    • At the same speed as nearby traffic
    • At the speed of the vehicle ahead
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    Correct answer: At a safe, reduced speed

    Every driver must drive at a safe, reduced speed when approaching and crossing a railroad grade crossing.

    Source: ⁨Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024))⁩, page 37 · Open this page in the manual

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  10. When drivers must stop at a railroad crossing, how close to the nearest rail may they stop?

    A two-lane road with a double yellow center line leading to railroad tracks: a large X with the letters R R painted in the lane, a white line across the lane before the rails, a crossbuck and a round yellow sign beside the road, and a blue car approaching
    • Not closer than 5 feet
    • Not closer than 10 feet
    • Not closer than 25 feet
    • Not closer than 15 feet
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    Correct answer: Not closer than 15 feet

    By law, drivers must stop not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail in the situations the manual lists.

    Source: ⁨Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024))⁩, page 37 · Open this page in the manual

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  11. In which situation must you stop not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail?

    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.
    • Flashing lights, lowered gates, or a flagman signal the approach of a train
    • A crossbuck sign is posted but there are no signals and no train is in sight
    • The pavement near the crossing is wet
    • The road beside the crossing has a low speed limit
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Flashing lights, lowered gates, or a flagman signal the approach of a train

    Flashing lights, lowered gates, or a flagman signaling a train require you to stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail.

    Source: ⁨Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024))⁩, page 37 · Open this page in the manual

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  12. Which of these requires you to stop not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail?

    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.
    • You see a crossbuck sign with no signals and no train in sight
    • The road surface near the tracks is wet
    • You hear a train whistle
    • You are driving on a road with a low speed limit
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    Correct answer: You hear a train whistle

    Seeing a train or hearing its whistle requires you to stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail.

    Source: ⁨Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024))⁩, page 37 · Open this page in the manual

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  13. You come to a railroad crossing that has a STOP sign. What must you do, according to the manual?

    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 when no train is in sight
    • Stop not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail
    • Stop only if you can see a train on the tracks
    • Stop within 5 feet of the nearest rail
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    Correct answer: Stop not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail

    A STOP sign at a crossing is one of the cases where you must stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail.

    Source: ⁨Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024))⁩, page 37 · Open this page in the manual

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  14. After a required full stop at a railroad crossing, when may you drive across the tracks?

    A two-lane road with a double yellow center line leading to railroad tracks: a large X with the letters R R painted in the lane, a white line across the lane before the rails, a crossbuck and a round yellow sign beside the road, and a blue car approaching
    • Only after another vehicle has crossed first
    • Only after waiting one full minute
    • Immediately, because you have already stopped
    • When it is safe to do so
    Show answer

    Correct answer: When it is safe to do so

    After the required stop, you may cross when it is safe to do so.

    Source: ⁨Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024))⁩, page 37 · Open this page in the manual

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  15. Who besides motor vehicle drivers must also observe railroad warning signals?

    Top view of a railroad crossing with gates down and red lights flashing, including a gate across the sidewalk; a pedestrian walks toward it.
    • Pedestrians, bicyclists, and moped riders
    • Only pedestrians
    • Only bicyclists and moped riders
    • No one else; the signals apply only to motor vehicles
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Pedestrians, bicyclists, and moped riders

    Pedestrians, bicyclists, and moped riders must also obey railroad warning signals and not cross until it is safe.

    Source: ⁨Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024))⁩, page 37 · Open this page in the manual

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  16. What should you do if a dangerous condition exists at a rail crossing?

    A red car stopped on railroad tracks with its hazard lights flashing, the crossing lights dark and the gates up
    • Try to remove the hazard from the tracks yourself
    • Wait at the crossing until the hazard clears on its own
    • Call the number listed on the emergency sign
    • Drive around the hazard on the shoulder
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    Correct answer: Call the number listed on the emergency sign

    Calling the number on the emergency sign reports the hazard to the rail company.

    Source: ⁨Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024))⁩, page 37 · Open this page in the manual

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  17. What does calling the number on the railroad emergency sign allow the rail company to do?

    A blue rectangular sign with a white border, white lettering and a telephone symbol, mounted on a post below a white railroad crossbuck.
    • Send a tow truck to your vehicle right away
    • Stop or reroute approaching rail traffic until the hazard is removed
    • Raise the crossing gates for the drivers who are waiting nearby
    • Close the road and post a detour for all of the drivers
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    Correct answer: Stop or reroute approaching rail traffic until the hazard is removed

    The call lets the rail company stop or reroute trains until the hazard is gone.

    Source: ⁨Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024))⁩, page 37 · Open this page in the manual

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  18. What should you give when you report a dangerous condition at a rail crossing?

    A red car stopped on railroad tracks with its hazard lights flashing, the crossing lights dark and the gates up
    • Your driver’s license number
    • Your vehicle registration number
    • The railroad’s train schedule
    • The posted crossing number
    Show answer

    Correct answer: The posted crossing number

    Giving the posted crossing number lets the rail company identify the hazard correctly.

    Source: ⁨Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024))⁩, page 37 · Open this page in the manual

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