Driving Test Practice
English

Virginia: Railroad crossings Practice Test

Crossbucks, flashing lights and gates, school buses at crossings, light rail, and a car stalled on the tracks.

Independent educational site · not affiliated with any government agency or DMV

Start the test

Ready? Test yourself

20 questions · About 8 min

  • Instant feedback with an explanation
  • Every answer cites its source in the manual
  • Your best score is saved on this device
  • Keyboard: press 1 to 4 to answer and Enter for the next question

Questions are original and based on the official manual "Virginia Driver's Manual" (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

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.

Show the questions and answersHide the questions

  1. You are at a railroad crossing with a flashing red light and you do not see a train. What must you do?

    A white RAILROAD CROSSING crossbuck sign with a bell and a pair of red signal lights, one of them lit
    • Slow down and cross if no train is visible
    • Come to a complete stop
    • Stop only if you hear a train horn
    • Yield to oncoming vehicles, then cross without stopping
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Come to a complete stop

    At a railroad crossing you must come to a complete stop even if you do not see a train.

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 5 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question

  2. What may happen at a low ground railroad crossing, where a steep slope meets the tracks?

    • The wheels of a low vehicle may slip on the wet steel rails
    • The exhaust system of a low vehicle may be damaged by heat
    • The bottom of a low vehicle may get caught or drag on the tracks
    • The engine of a low vehicle may stall in the dip of the road
    Show answer

    Correct answer: The bottom of a low vehicle may get caught or drag on the tracks

    The low ground crossing sign warns that the steep slope can make low vehicles drag or get caught on the tracks.

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 9 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question

  3. A round yellow sign with an X and the letters RR is placed before a railroad crossing. What does it warn you to do?

    A round yellow sign with a black border showing a large black X with a black letter R in the left and right quarters.
    • Look, listen, slow down and be prepared to stop
    • Stop, sound your horn and then proceed with care
    • Speed up so that you clear the tracks quickly
    • Yield only to trains coming from your left side
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Look, listen, slow down and be prepared to stop

    Advance warning signs before a crossing warn you to look, listen, slow down and be ready to stop for trains or other vehicles on the rails.

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 9 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question

  4. At a railroad crossing with more than one track, from where may trains be approaching?

    A blue car waiting behind lowered gates with flashing red lights while a freight train passes on the nearer of two railroad tracks
    • Only from the direction of the nearest track
    • Only from the direction the crossbuck faces
    • Only from the right on the first track
    • From either direction on either track
    Show answer

    Correct answer: From either direction on either track

    The crossbuck warns that trains may come from either direction, and with several tracks, from either direction on any track.

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 9 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question

  5. Flashing lights are used with a crossbuck sign. When may you proceed?

    A white RAILROAD CROSSING crossbuck sign with a bell and a pair of red signal lights, one of them lit
    • When the first train has passed, even if the lights are still flashing
    • When all trains have passed, the tracks are clear and the lights are no longer flashing
    • When you see no train in either direction, even if the lights are flashing
    • When you have waited ten seconds and no train is in sight
    Show answer

    Correct answer: When all trains have passed, the tracks are clear and the lights are no longer flashing

    You must stay stopped until every train or other rail vehicle has passed, the tracks are clear and the lights have stopped flashing.

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 9 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question

  6. Why should you be especially alert at a multitrack railroad crossing?

    A blue car waiting behind lowered gates with flashing red lights while a freight train passes on the nearer of two railroad tracks
    • A second train could be approaching from the opposite direction
    • Trains on the second track always travel more slowly than the first
    • The lights flash only for the track nearest to your vehicle
    • The gate stays down only for the first train that passes
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A second train could be approaching from the opposite direction

    At crossings with several tracks, a second train may be coming from the other direction while the first one passes.

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 9 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question

  7. At a railroad crossing with flashing lights and a gate, when must you stop?

    A red car waits behind the stop line at a railroad crossing; the gates are down, red lights flash on both sides, and a locomotive approaches from the left.
    • Only after the gate has lowered across your lane
    • Only when you can see a train approaching
    • When the lights begin to flash and before the gate lowers
    • Only when the gate is down and the bell stops
    Show answer

    Correct answer: When the lights begin to flash and before the gate lowers

    The manual says to stop when the lights begin to flash, before the gate comes down.

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 9 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question

  8. At a railroad crossing with a gate, how long must you remain stopped?

    The last boxcar of a freight train clears a single-track crossing, gates down and red lights flashing, while a blue car and a white car wait behind the stop line.
    • Until the train horn can no longer be heard
    • Until the gates are raised and the lights stop flashing
    • Until you can see down the tracks in both directions
    • Until the gate has risen at least halfway
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Until the gates are raised and the lights stop flashing

    You must stay stopped until the gates are raised and the lights stop flashing, and you must never drive around a lowered gate.

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 9 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question

  9. Where may pavement markings consisting of an X and RR be painted?

    Close-up top view of one lane with a large white X and a white letter R on each side of it painted on the pavement, and a white line across the lane ahead.
    • On the pavement at the entrance to some work zones
    • On the pavement at the start of some toll plazas
    • On the pavement beside some school bus stops
    • On the pavement at the approach to some railroad crossings
    Show answer

    Correct answer: On the pavement at the approach to some railroad crossings

    The X and RR pavement markings may be painted at the approach to some railroad crossings.

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 10 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question

  10. When may you start across railroad tracks?

    A blue car approaches a railroad crossing while a line of cars, stopped at a red traffic light just beyond the tracks, backs up toward the far rail.
    • Whenever you can see no train in either direction, even if there is little room on the other side
    • As soon as the traffic ahead of you begins to move
    • Whenever the crossing has no gate or flashing lights
    • Only if you can clear the tracks completely, with room for your vehicle on the other side
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Only if you can clear the tracks completely, with room for your vehicle on the other side

    Trains may come at any time from either direction, so you should not start across unless you can clear the tracks and have room on the other side.

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 10 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question

  11. When must school buses stop at railroad crossings?

    Top view: your blue car follows a school bus on a two-lane road toward a railroad crossing marked with crossbucks.
    • Only when the lights are flashing and the gate is lowered
    • Always, even when the lights are not flashing
    • Only when students are on board
    • Only when no gate is present
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Always, even when the lights are not flashing

    The manual notes that school buses must always stop at railroad crossings, even if the lights are not flashing.

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 10 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question

  12. What does calling the number listed on a railroad crossing 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.
    • Close the road to all car traffic until the hazard is removed
    • Send a repair crew to the crossing within one hour
    • Stop or reroute approaching rail traffic until the hazard is removed
    • Turn off the flashing lights until the hazard is removed
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Stop or reroute approaching rail traffic until the hazard is removed

    When there is a dangerous condition at a crossing, calling the emergency number lets the rail company stop or reroute trains.

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 10 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question

  13. When you call the number on a railroad emergency sign about a dangerous condition, what must you be sure to give?

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

    Correct answer: The posted crossing number

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

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 10 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question

  14. What should you do if your car stalls on the railroad tracks?

    A car stuck on railroad tracks behind stopped traffic, with the gates down and a train approaching
    • Stay inside with your seat belt fastened and call for help right away
    • Get out right away and run diagonally away from the tracks in the direction of the oncoming train
    • Get out and push the vehicle off the tracks before the train arrives
    • Get out right away and run diagonally away from the tracks, away from the oncoming train’s direction
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Get out right away and run diagonally away from the tracks in the direction of the oncoming train

    You should not hesitate: leave the car immediately and run diagonally away from the tracks in the direction the train is coming from.

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 10 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question

  15. What must you always do at a railroad crossing with flashing signals?

    A white RAILROAD CROSSING crossbuck sign with a bell and a pair of red signal lights, one of them lit
    • Slow down and cross if no train is visible
    • Stop your vehicle
    • Stop only if you see a train
    • Sound your horn and cross carefully
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Stop your vehicle

    The manual lists railroad crossings with flashing signals among the places you must always stop.

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 15 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question

  16. What should you never do around light rail when the crossing gates are lowered?

    Top view of a street crossing two light rail tracks with overhead wires: gate arms lowered across both lanes, red lights on the gate posts, a light rail vehicle at the edge of the crossing, and a blue car approaching.
    • Drive around them
    • Wait for the train to pass
    • Stop behind the crossing
    • Look both ways before the gates rise
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Drive around them

    The light rail tips say never to drive around lowered crossing gates.

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 21 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question

  17. What should you do before turning across light rail train tracks?

    A car waiting to turn left across a set of light rail tracks while a light rail vehicle approaches along those tracks.
    • Shift into a lower gear
    • Speed up to clear the tracks quickly
    • Look both ways
    • Turn on your hazard flashers
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Look both ways

    Always look both ways before turning across train tracks.

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 21 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question

  18. Near light rail, on which track should you expect trains?

    A street with light rail tracks down the middle, a light rail vehicle on the tracks, and a car in the lane to its right.
    • Only the track nearest the curb
    • Any track, at any time
    • Only the track in the direction of traffic
    • Only the tracks marked with signals
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Any track, at any time

    The light rail tips say to expect trains on any track at any time.

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 21 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question

  19. Which of these should you never do on train 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
    • Signal a turn
    • Check your mirrors
    • Look both ways
    • Stop, pass or shift
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Stop, pass or shift

    Never stop, pass or shift on train tracks.

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 21 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question

  20. When may you cross light rail train tracks?

    A street with light rail tracks down the middle, a light rail vehicle on the tracks, and a car in the lane to its right.
    • Only when you have room to cross without stopping and can clear the tracks to a safe distance
    • Whenever the crossing gates are raised
    • Whenever no train is in sight
    • Whenever the vehicle ahead of you is already crossing the tracks in front of you
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Only when you have room to cross without stopping and can clear the tracks to a safe distance

    Cross only if you can get all the way across and clear the tracks without stopping.

    Source: ⁨Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026))⁩, page 21 · Open this page in the manual

    Report a problem with this question