North Dakota CDL — General Knowledge: Right-of-Way Practice Test

Question 1

A driver ahead of you signals a left turn. Why does the manual treat that vehicle as a possible hazard?

Accepted Answer

It may have to stop in the roadway to wait for oncoming vehicles — A driver with a turn signal on may slow down more than you expect or stop altogether. A vehicle turning left may be held up by oncoming traffic, and one squeezing into an alley or a driveway may crawl.

Answer

It will usually speed up before turning

Answer

Its brake lights are probably not working

Answer

It is certain to turn right instead

Question 2

At a railroad crossing with gates, when must you stop?

Accepted Answer

As soon as the lights start flashing, before the gate lowers into your lane — You stop the moment the red lights start to flash, without waiting for the gate to drop, and stay put until the gates rise and the flashing ends.

Answer

Only once the gate is fully lowered

Answer

Only when you can see the train

Answer

After the bells have rung for ten seconds

Question 3

An intersection has two left-turn lanes. Why does the manual warn the driver of a large vehicle not to start the turn from the inside lane?

Accepted Answer

Swinging to the right may be needed to complete the turn — From the inside lane a long vehicle may need to swing right partway through, into traffic it cannot see well. Starting from the right-hand turn lane avoids that, and drivers on the left are easier to see.

Answer

The inside lane is reserved for passenger cars

Answer

Signals cannot be seen from the inside lane

Answer

The inside lane always has a lower weight limit

Question 4

How should you treat railroad yard areas and grade crossings inside cities and towns?

Accepted Answer

With as much caution as rural crossings, since they are just as dangerous — Crossings in yards, cities, and towns carry the same danger as those in the country, and the manual tells you to approach them just as carefully.

Answer

With less concern, because trains move slowly there

Answer

As exempt from the usual stopping rules

Answer

As safe whenever no gate is installed

Question 5

Under North Dakota's railroad crossing stop rules, where does the driver of a bus carrying passengers stop?

Accepted Answer

Between 15 and 50 feet before the nearest rail — The bus must come to rest at least 15 feet, and at most 50 feet, short of the closest rail of the crossing.

Answer

Within 10 feet of the nearest rail

Answer

Between 50 and 100 feet before the nearest rail

Answer

At the crossbuck, whatever its distance from the rail

Question 6

On the road test you must stop before making a turn. How should your front wheels be pointed while you wait?

Accepted Answer

Straight ahead — While stopped ahead of a turn, hold the front wheels straight and do not let the vehicle roll.

Answer

Turned in the direction of the turn

Answer

Turned slightly toward the curb

Answer

Turned away from the turn to gain room

Question 7

What does the manual say about depending on warning signals, gates, or flagmen at a railroad crossing?

Accepted Answer

Do not rely on them alone to warn you that a train is coming — Signals, gates, and flagmen can fail or be absent, so you should not depend solely on them. The manual adds that crossings without gates or flashing red lights call for extra alertness.

Answer

They are always enough, so no further checking is needed

Answer

Gates can be trusted, but flashing lights cannot

Answer

They matter only at crossings with more than one track

Question 8

A North Dakota bus operator has stopped at a railroad crossing with the entrance door open. May the door be closed before the bus crosses the tracks?

Accepted Answer

Yes, once the operator has adequately looked and listened in both directions — The manual allows the door to be shut ahead of crossing, provided the operator has already looked and listened well enough for a train from either direction.

Answer

No, it must stay open until the rear of the bus clears the tracks

Answer

Yes, but only if a passenger confirms the track is clear

Answer

No, unless the temperature is below freezing

Question 9

After stopping at a railroad crossing, what must the operator of a North Dakota school bus do before starting across?

Accepted Answer

Open the entrance door, then look and listen for an oncoming train — State rules have the school bus operator open the entrance door and check by sight and sound for a train. The operator must also avoid changing gears while the bus is on the tracks.

Answer

Sound the horn twice and wait ten seconds

Answer

Shift to a higher gear to clear the tracks quickly

Answer

Turn off the hazard lights and close every window

Question 10

On the CDL road test, you have finished a turn and confirmed your signal is off. What comes next?

Accepted Answer

Get up to the speed of traffic, signal, and move into the right-most lane when it is safe — After a turn the road test expects you to accelerate to traffic speed, signal, and work over to the right-most lane if you are not already in it, then keep checking mirrors and traffic.

Answer

Stay in the lane you finished in until told otherwise

Answer

Stop at the curb and wait for the examiner's next instruction

Answer

Move to the left-most lane to keep clear of parked cars

Question 11

Why can't you count on hearing a train's horn as you approach a railroad crossing?

Accepted Answer

Noise inside your vehicle may hide it until the train is dangerously close — Cab noise can keep you from hearing the horn until the train is almost at the crossing, so the manual says not to expect to hear it.

Answer

Trains are not allowed to sound horns at public crossings

Answer

Train horns point away from the road

Answer

Horns are used only after a train has passed the crossing

Question 12

Why does the manual tell you to be careful around a stopped bus?

Accepted Answer

People leaving it may walk across at either end, often unable to see you — Riders getting off can step out from the front or the rear of the bus into your path, and their view of your vehicle is often blocked.

Answer

The bus may roll backward when its doors open

Answer

Bus drivers are required to back up before pulling out

Answer

Its mirrors create glare for other drivers

North Dakota CDL — General Knowledge: Right-of-Way practice test

Study questions with answers

1. A driver ahead of you signals a left turn. Why does the manual treat that vehicle as a possible hazard?

2. At a railroad crossing with gates, when must you stop?

3. An intersection has two left-turn lanes. Why does the manual warn the driver of a large vehicle not to start the turn from the inside lane?

4. How should you treat railroad yard areas and grade crossings inside cities and towns?

5. Under North Dakota's railroad crossing stop rules, where does the driver of a bus carrying passengers stop?

6. On the road test you must stop before making a turn. How should your front wheels be pointed while you wait?

7. What does the manual say about depending on warning signals, gates, or flagmen at a railroad crossing?

8. A North Dakota bus operator has stopped at a railroad crossing with the entrance door open. May the door be closed before the bus crosses the tracks?

9. After stopping at a railroad crossing, what must the operator of a North Dakota school bus do before starting across?

10. On the CDL road test, you have finished a turn and confirmed your signal is off. What comes next?

11. Why can't you count on hearing a train's horn as you approach a railroad crossing?

12. Why does the manual tell you to be careful around a stopped bus?

More CDL — General Knowledge topics

Practice Right-of-Way in another state