Indiana CDL — General Knowledge practice
Indiana CDL — General Knowledge: Right-of-Way practice test
Who goes first at intersections, four-way stops, roundabouts, and crosswalks, and how to yield to pedestrians and emergency vehicles.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
14 questions · pass with 11 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
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12 sample Right-of-Way questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
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1. When gates equipped with flashing lights are lowering across the roadway at a rail crossing, when may you proceed?
Correct answer: Only after the gates rise and the lights stop
You must remain stopped until the gates rise and the lights stop flashing, then cross only when it is safe.
Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Warning Signs and Devices)
2. Compared with a car, what kind of gap in traffic does a heavily loaded commercial vehicle need to enter a roadway?
Correct answer: A much larger gap
Slow acceleration and the space the vehicle occupies mean you need a considerably larger gap than a passenger car would.
Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Space Needed to Cross or Enter Traffic)
3. When you are being tailgated and need to let the following driver get around you, what helps most?
Correct answer: Increasing the space ahead of you
Opening up more room in front of you gives the tailgater a place to move into and lets you avoid sudden speed changes.
Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Space Behind)
4. When making a left turn at an intersection with two available turning lanes, which lane should a large vehicle use?
Correct answer: The right turn lane
Take the right-hand turn lane so that you do not have to swing right to make the turn, and drivers to your left remain easier to see.
Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Space for Turns)
5. Why should you never try to race a train to a crossing?
Correct answer: It is very hard to judge a train's speed and distance
It is extremely difficult to judge the speed and distance of an approaching train, so racing one is never worth the risk.
Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Driving Procedures)
6. Which vehicles are always required to stop before crossing railroad tracks even when no train is visible?
Correct answer: Passenger buses and placarded hazmat vehicles
Buses carrying passengers and vehicles hauling placarded hazardous materials must stop at the crossing regardless of whether a train is near.
Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Warning Signs and Devices)
7. At a passive railroad crossing with no traffic control device, who makes the decision to stop or proceed?
Correct answer: The driver alone
At a passive crossing the decision rests entirely with you; you must recognize the crossing, look for a train, and judge if there is room to cross safely.
Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Types of Crossings)
8. Because a large vehicle accelerates slowly, what should you make sure of before pulling out to cross a road?
Correct answer: That you can clear the whole road before traffic arrives
You must be certain you can get completely across before approaching traffic reaches you, since a big rig needs a much larger gap than a car.
Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Space Needed to Cross or Enter Traffic)
9. How long does a typical tractor-trailer need to completely clear a single set of railroad tracks?
Correct answer: At least 14 seconds
A typical tractor-trailer takes at least 14 seconds to clear a single track, so never start across unless you can make it all the way.
Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Crossing the Tracks)
10. When the flashing red lights at a rail crossing begin to operate, what must you do?
Correct answer: Stop and yield the right-of-way to the train
Flashing red lights mean a train is coming; you must stop and yield the right-of-way to the train.
Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Warning Signs and Devices)
11. If an oncoming driver drifts into your lane, which direction is generally the best escape?
Correct answer: Steer to your right
Steering to your right is usually best, because a driver who realizes the mistake will naturally return to their own lane.
Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Steering to Avoid a Crash)
12. At a crossing marked only with a crossbuck and no gates or flashing lights, who has the right-of-way?
Correct answer: The approaching train
The crossbuck requires you to yield to the train, so an approaching train always has the right-of-way at the crossing.
Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Warning Signs and Devices)
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Every Indiana question is written from the official Indiana driver handbook and checked against its current edition. DMV Test Free is a free, independent study resource — not affiliated with any DMV or government agency. About DMV Test Free