Road Signs

Study questions with answers

12 sample Road Signs questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. Pavement markings that show a large 'X' with the letters 'RR' painted on the road indicate what?

   Correct answer: A railroad crossing ahead, matching the advance warning sign

   The 'X' with 'RR' and a no-passing marking carry the same meaning as the advance warning sign — a railroad crossing is ahead.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Warning Signs and Devices)

2. 2. The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) is arranged so responders can look up a material by which information?

   Correct answer: Its proper shipping name and identification number

   The ERG is indexed by proper shipping name and identification number, which is why those entries on the shipping paper must be accurate.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 9: Hazardous Materials (Emergency Response Guidebook)

3. 3. A round sign with a black symbol on a yellow background posted ahead of a rail crossing tells a commercial driver to do what?

   Correct answer: Slow down, look and listen for a train, and prepare to stop if needed

   The round yellow advance warning sign means reduce speed, watch and listen for a train, and be ready to stop at the tracks if one is approaching.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Railroad-Highway Crossings)

4. 4. At a highway-rail grade crossing, what does a crossbuck sign require of you?

   Correct answer: Give the right-of-way to any train that is approaching

   The crossbuck marks the grade crossing and requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to any approaching train.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Warning Signs and Devices)

5. 5. The four-digit identification numbers shown on placards or orange panels are used by first responders for what purpose?

   Correct answer: To identify the specific hazardous material on board

   Identification numbers are a four-digit code, preceded by 'NA' or 'UN,' that responders use to quickly identify the hazardous material being hauled.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 9: Hazardous Materials (Lists of Regulated Products)

6. 6. How many placards must a placarded hazardous-materials vehicle display, and where?

   Correct answer: Four matching placards on the front, rear, and both sides

   A placarded vehicle must carry at least four identical placards, readable from every direction, mounted on the front, rear, and both sides.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 9: Hazardous Materials (Lists of Regulated Products)

7. 7. A white marking showing a fish with an 'X' drawn through it on a bulk package tells you the contents are what?

   Correct answer: A marine pollutant

   Any bulk package holding a marine pollutant has to carry the marking for it — a white triangle picturing a fish crossed out by an 'X'.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 9: Hazardous Materials (List of Marine Pollutants)

8. 8. On a steep downgrade you pass a sign that reads 'Maximum Safe Speed.' What should you do?

   Correct answer: Never exceed the speed the sign shows

   When a downgrade posts a speed limit or a 'Maximum Safe Speed,' you must never travel faster than the speed shown.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Mountain Driving)

9. 9. How does a shipper warn others about the hazard posed by an individual package of hazardous material?

   Correct answer: By attaching a diamond-shaped hazard warning label

   Shippers apply diamond-shaped warning labels, each four inches across, to most hazardous-materials packages so handlers and drivers know the risk.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 9: Hazardous Materials (Package Labels)

10. 10. Signs along a mountain downgrade point out escape ramps. What are these ramps built to do?

    Correct answer: Bring a vehicle whose brakes have failed to a safe stop

    Escape ramps use a long bed of soft material, sometimes combined with an upgrade, to bring a runaway vehicle to a safe stop when its brakes fail.

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Proper Braking Technique)

11. 11. A vehicle placarded for hazardous materials must display placards of what shape and minimum size?

    Correct answer: A diamond turned on a point, at least 9.84 inches per side

    Placards are diamond-shaped — a square turned upright on a point — and must be at least 9.84 inches (250 mm) on each side.

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 9: Hazardous Materials (Lists of Regulated Products)

12. 12. When the red lights at a railroad crossing start flashing, what are you required to do?

    Correct answer: Stop and yield to the approaching train

    Flashing red lights signal an approaching train; you must stop and yield the right-of-way, and be sure all tracks are clear before crossing.

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Warning Signs and Devices)