Right-of-Way

Study questions with answers

11 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. If an oncoming vehicle has wandered into your lane, which direction is usually best to steer to avoid a crash?

   Correct answer: To your right

   Move to your right when an oncoming vehicle wanders into your lane, since a driver who realizes the mistake will naturally swing back toward their own lane.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.17: Driving Emergencies

2. 2. Which of these vehicles is always required to stop at a railroad crossing before proceeding?

   Correct answer: A vehicle carrying placarded hazardous materials

   Passenger-carrying buses and vehicles hauling placarded hazardous materials must stop at grade crossings even when no train is in sight.

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

3. 3. You must cross the oncoming lane to complete a wide right turn. If a vehicle is coming toward you, what should you NOT do?

   Correct answer: Back up to give the oncoming vehicle room

   Give oncoming vehicles room to stop or pass, but do not back up to make space, because you might strike a vehicle that has moved in behind you.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.7: Managing Space

4. 4. At a passive railroad crossing that has no signals or gates, who is responsible for deciding whether to stop or go?

   Correct answer: With the driver alone

   A passive crossing has no lights or gates, so it is entirely up to the driver to spot the crossing, look for a train, and decide whether there is room to cross safely.

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

5. 5. When making a left turn at an intersection, where should the front of your vehicle be before you begin turning?

   Correct answer: At the center of the intersection

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

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.7: Managing Space

6. 6. Because a large vehicle accelerates slowly, what does it need when crossing or entering traffic?

   Correct answer: A much larger gap in traffic than a car needs

   Slow acceleration and the length of a large vehicle mean you need a much bigger gap in traffic than a car would, and you must be sure you can clear the road before traffic reaches you.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.7: Managing Space

7. 7. If two left-turn lanes are available, which one should a large vehicle use to make the turn?

   Correct answer: The right-hand turn lane

   Take the right-hand of the two turning lanes; starting in the inside lane can force you to swing right during the turn, and drivers on your left are easier to see.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.7: Managing Space

8. 8. At a crossing with double tracks, why must you "double check" before proceeding?

   Correct answer: A train on one track can hide a train on the other

   A train on one track can hide a second train on the other track, so look both ways and be sure no other train is coming after the first has cleared.

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

9. 9. Under a move-over law, what should you do when approaching an emergency vehicle stopped on the roadside?

   Correct answer: Slow down and move over to a non-adjacent lane when it is safe

   Move-over laws require you to slow down and, when it is safe, change to a lane that is not next to the stopped emergency vehicle; if changing lanes is unsafe, slow down and pass with caution.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.8: Seeing Hazards

10. 10. About how long does it take a typical tractor-trailer to clear a double railroad track?

    Correct answer: More than 15 seconds

    A typical tractor-trailer needs 14 seconds or more to get across one track, and over 15 seconds for a double track, so never start over unless you can fully clear it.

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

11. 11. When you are stopped at a railroad crossing and a crossbuck sign is present, who has the right-of-way?

    Correct answer: An approaching train, always

    A crossbuck works like a yield sign, so any approaching train always has the right-of-way and you must let it pass before crossing.

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