Right-of-Way

Study questions with answers

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.

1. 1. Why should you not shift gears while crossing railroad tracks?

   Correct answer: You could lose power and stall on the tracks

   Shifting on the tracks risks losing power or getting stuck; you should choose your gear before crossing and hold it all the way across.

   Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Crossing the Tracks)

2. 2. If there is no white stop line, how far from the nearest rail must a vehicle required to stop remain?

   Correct answer: Between 15 and 50 feet

   If no stop line is painted, a vehicle that must stop has to halt within a band from 15 up to 50 feet away from the closest rail.

   Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Cross-Buck Signs)

3. 3. Why must you double-check both directions at a crossing with more than one track?

   Correct answer: One train can hide another on the second track

   A train on one track can hide a second train on the other, so after one clears you must be sure no other train is near before crossing.

   Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Double Tracks)

4. 4. Before starting across railroad tracks, what must you be certain of?

   Correct answer: That you can clear the tracks completely without stopping

   Never let traffic trap you on the rails; make sure you can reach the far side without stopping, and do not shift gears while crossing.

   Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Crossing the Tracks)

5. 5. Before you start across a road, what must you make sure of regarding oncoming traffic?

   Correct answer: That you can clear the road before traffic arrives

   Confirm you can reach the far side before oncoming traffic arrives, because a big rig accelerates slowly and needs a wide gap.

   Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Crossing or Entering Traffic)

6. 6. If two turning lanes are available for a left turn, which one should a large vehicle use?

   Correct answer: The right-hand turning lane

   Always take the right of the two turning lanes; starting in the inside lane may force you to swing right to complete the turn.

   Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Left Turns)

7. 7. Which vehicles are always required to stop at railroad crossings regardless of a train being seen?

   Correct answer: Passenger and hazmat-carrying vehicles

   Under the advance-warning guidance, every vehicle carrying passengers or hazardous materials must come to a stop at the crossing.

   Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Advance Warning Signs)

8. 8. Roughly how long does a typical tractor-trailer take to clear a single railroad track?

   Correct answer: At least 14 seconds

   A normal tractor-trailer takes roughly 14 seconds or more to get across one track, and upward of 15 seconds for two tracks.

   Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Crossing the Tracks)

9. 9. When making a left turn at an intersection, when should you begin the turn?

   Correct answer: After you reach the center of the intersection

   Reach the center of the intersection before starting a left turn; turning too soon can cause the left side of your vehicle to hit another because of off-tracking.

   Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Left Turns)

10. 10. At a railroad crossing, who has the right-of-way?

    Correct answer: The train

    You must always yield to a train, approaching every crossing as though a train were on its way.

    Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Railroad Crossings)

11. 11. If you get stuck on the tracks, what should you do?

    Correct answer: Get out and away from the tracks, then call for help

    Leave the cab at once and move clear of the rails, then find the posted emergency and DOT crossing numbers to summon help.

    Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Special Situations)

12. 12. Why should you never try to race a train to a crossing?

    Correct answer: A train's speed is very hard to judge

    Judging how fast an oncoming train moves is nearly impossible, so trying to beat one to the crossing is never worth it.

    Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Never Race a Train)