Maine CDL — General Knowledge: Right-of-Way Practice Test

Question 1

Which of these is NOT among the places and situations where the manual says conflicts arise?

Accepted Answer

Open stretches where all traffic moves at one speed — A conflict is any time you must change speed or direction to avoid someone. The manual points to intersections, merges, forced lane changes, stalled or slow traffic and accident scenes.

Answer

Intersections where vehicles meet

Answer

Merges such as turnpike on-ramps

Answer

The end of a lane, where traffic must move over

Question 2

Within three years a driver is convicted of a third railroad-highway grade crossing violation. For how long, at minimum, is the CDL lost?

Accepted Answer

One year — The penalties step up from 60 days to 120 days and then to at least a full year for a third violation in a three-year period.

Answer

60 days

Answer

120 days

Answer

Life

Question 3

A bus is excused from the full stop at certain railroad crossings. At which of these must it still stop?

Accepted Answer

A crossing with only a crossbuck and no one directing traffic — Buses may slow and check instead of stopping at streetcar crossings, where an officer or flagger directs traffic, on a green signal, and at crossings marked exempt or abandoned. An ordinary crossbuck crossing still needs the stop.

Answer

A streetcar crossing

Answer

A crossing where a flagger is directing traffic

Answer

A crossing marked "exempt"

Question 4

A placarded tank truck, which must stop at every railroad crossing, rolls through a quiet crossing without stopping. No train is near. How do the CDL rules treat this?

Accepted Answer

As a railroad-highway grade crossing violation — For drivers who must always stop, driving onto a crossing without stopping first is one of the six listed grade crossing offenses, whether or not a train is coming. A first violation costs the CDL for at least 60 days.

Answer

As no violation, because no train was approaching

Answer

As a warning only, on the first occasion

Answer

As a violation of an out-of-service order

Question 5

A bus approaches a drawbridge where an attendant controls traffic every time the bridge opens. What must the driver do?

Accepted Answer

Slow down and make sure it is safe; a stop is not required — The mandatory stop applies to drawbridges with no signal light and no attendant. Where an attendant or officer controls traffic, or a light shows green, the driver slows and checks instead.

Answer

Stop 50 feet or more short of the draw

Answer

Sound the horn and continue at normal speed

Answer

Unload the passengers before crossing

Question 6

Last year a driver was disqualified for a railroad crossing violation. This year the driver starts across a crossing without enough room on the far side and has to stop on the tracks. What is the minimum disqualification now?

Accepted Answer

120 days — Starting across without space to clear the crossing is a listed offense. A second grade crossing violation inside three years brings at least 120 days.

Answer

60 days

Answer

90 days

Answer

One year

Question 7

On the road test, buses and placarded vehicles follow a set procedure at railroad crossings. Which of these is NOT part of it?

Accepted Answer

Sounding the horn before starting across — The procedure is flashers on, a stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail, a look and listen both ways, both hands on the wheel while crossing, and flashers off afterward. The horn is not part of it.

Answer

Turning on the four-way flashers while approaching

Answer

Stopping within 50 feet of the nearest rail, but no closer than 15 feet

Answer

Looking and listening in both directions along the track

Question 8

Which of these is NOT one of the manual's rules for avoiding right-turn crashes in a large vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Swing left at the start of the turn to make room — The manual warns against starting a right turn by swinging left, because a driver behind may take it for a left turn and try to slip by on the right.

Answer

Turn slowly

Answer

Keep the rear of the vehicle near the curb

Answer

If you must go wide, do it as you complete the turn

Question 9

A school bus driver cannot see far down the track at a crossing. What does the manual say about crossing?

Accepted Answer

Do not cross unless you can see far enough to be certain no train is coming — Routes should be planned for the best sight distance at crossings, and the bus should not start across until the driver can see enough track to know that no train is approaching.

Answer

Cross quickly to shorten the exposure

Answer

Rely on the crossing signals alone

Answer

Send a student ahead to look

Question 10

A school bus has stopped at a railroad crossing. Before the driver looks and listens for a train, what does the recommended procedure say about noise?

Accepted Answer

Turn off radios and noisy equipment and quiet the passengers — With the bus stopped and secured, the driver shuts off radios and anything noisy and silences the riders, then opens the service door and driver's window to look and listen.

Answer

Sound the horn twice

Answer

Rev the engine to keep air pressure up

Answer

Leave the radio on low for traffic reports

Question 11

Before you change lanes, what are you checking your mirrors to make sure of?

Accepted Answer

That nobody is beside you or coming up to pass — A lane change calls for more than routine mirror checks: you confirm the space beside you is empty and that nobody is moving up to pass.

Answer

That your trailer lights are on

Answer

That your cargo cover is tight

Answer

That the vehicle behind has dimmed its lights

Maine CDL — General Knowledge: Right-of-Way practice test

Study questions with answers

1. Which of these is NOT among the places and situations where the manual says conflicts arise?

2. Within three years a driver is convicted of a third railroad-highway grade crossing violation. For how long, at minimum, is the CDL lost?

3. A bus is excused from the full stop at certain railroad crossings. At which of these must it still stop?

4. A placarded tank truck, which must stop at every railroad crossing, rolls through a quiet crossing without stopping. No train is near. How do the CDL rules treat this?

5. A bus approaches a drawbridge where an attendant controls traffic every time the bridge opens. What must the driver do?

6. Last year a driver was disqualified for a railroad crossing violation. This year the driver starts across a crossing without enough room on the far side and has to stop on the tracks. What is the minimum disqualification now?

7. On the road test, buses and placarded vehicles follow a set procedure at railroad crossings. Which of these is NOT part of it?

8. Which of these is NOT one of the manual's rules for avoiding right-turn crashes in a large vehicle?

9. A school bus driver cannot see far down the track at a crossing. What does the manual say about crossing?

10. A school bus has stopped at a railroad crossing. Before the driver looks and listens for a train, what does the recommended procedure say about noise?

11. Before you change lanes, what are you checking your mirrors to make sure of?

More CDL — General Knowledge topics

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