Signals & Pavement Markings

Study questions with answers

12 sample Signals & Pavement Markings questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. Within how many minutes of stopping on the road or shoulder must you set out your emergency warning devices?

   Correct answer: Within 10 minutes

   Warning devices must be placed within ten minutes of stopping so that approaching drivers get enough notice of your disabled vehicle.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.5: Communicating

2. 2. While placing reflective triangles behind your vehicle, how should you hold them for your own safety?

   Correct answer: Between yourself and the oncoming traffic

   Keep each triangle between yourself and oncoming traffic as you set it out, so approaching drivers can see you as well as the device.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.5: Communicating

3. 3. What are the three good rules for using your turn signals when making a turn?

   Correct answer: Signal early, keep signaling continuously, and cancel it after the turn

   Signal early so others don't try to pass, keep the signal on continuously through the turn, and remember to cancel it afterward if the signals don't self-cancel.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.5: Communicating

4. 4. How should you warn drivers behind you that you are about to slow down?

   Correct answer: Tap the brake pedal to flash your brake lights

   A couple of light taps on the pedal flash your brake lights and warn following drivers, giving them time to react before you actually slow.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.5: Communicating

5. 5. What do flashing red lights at a highway-rail crossing tell the driver?

   Correct answer: A train is coming — stop

   Flashing red lights mean a train is approaching and you must stop and yield the right-of-way; if there is more than one track, be sure all are clear before proceeding.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.15: Railroad-Highway Crossings

6. 6. At a crossing with gates and flashing lights, when may you proceed across the tracks?

   Correct answer: After the gates go up and the lights stop flashing, when it is safe

   You must wait until the gates rise fully and the lights stop flashing before crossing, and even then only when it is clearly safe.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.15: Railroad-Highway Crossings

7. 7. In dawn, dusk, rain, or snow, what should you turn on so other drivers can see you more easily?

   Correct answer: The headlights on low beam

   Switch on your headlights — the low beams, not just the clearance or identification lights — when visibility is poor, because if you struggle to see others they will struggle to see you.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.5: Communicating

8. 8. When you must drive very slowly and it is legal, how can you alert faster traffic approaching from behind?

   Correct answer: Switch on your emergency flashers where the law allows

   Switch on your emergency flashers when driving unusually slowly, where legal, because other drivers often fail to notice how fast they are closing on a slow-moving vehicle.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.5: Communicating

9. 9. Some drivers wave others past to signal it is safe to pass. Why should a CDL driver avoid doing this?

   Correct answer: You could cause a crash and be blamed for it

   You should not direct other traffic; if you signal that it's safe and you are wrong, you could cause a crash and be held responsible.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.5: Communicating

10. 10. When should a commercial driver turn on the four-way emergency flashers?

    Correct answer: Whenever you are traveling very slowly or are stopped

    Use the four-way flashers when you are stopped or forced to move very slowly, alerting faster traffic that they are closing on a slow or stationary vehicle.

    Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.5: Communicating

11. 11. Pavement markings on a two-lane road approaching a railroad crossing include an X, the letters "RR," and what else?

    Correct answer: A no-passing zone marking

    On two-lane roads the crossing pavement carries an X, the RR letters, and a no-passing marking that mirrors the warning of a no-passing zone.

    Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.15: Railroad-Highway Crossings

12. 12. You have stopped on a one-way or divided highway. Where should you place your three warning triangles?

    Correct answer: Toward approaching traffic at about 10, 100, and 200 feet

    On a one-way or divided highway the triangles go toward approaching traffic at about 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet from the vehicle.

    Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.5: Communicating