Mississippi CDL — General Knowledge practice
Mississippi CDL — General Knowledge: Signals & Pavement Markings practice test
How to read traffic signals, lane lines, and pavement markings — including yellow and white lines, arrows, and flashing lights.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
14 questions · pass with 11 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
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12 sample Signals & Pavement Markings questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
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1. Where legal, how can you let a pedestrian or bicyclist know you are about to pass?
Correct answer: Give the horn a light tap, or after dark switch briefly from low to high beams
Assume people you pass don't know you're there. A light horn tap, or a quick headlight change at night, alerts them — but drive so you can avoid a crash even if they still don't notice.
Source: Mississippi CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Communicating Your Presence)
2. You pull off and stop at the side of the road at night. Why shouldn't you count on your taillights alone to warn traffic?
Correct answer: Drivers have struck parked vehicles they thought were moving; use the four-way flashers
Turn on the four-way flashers whenever you stop beside the road, especially at night. Taillights alone can make a stopped truck look like one in motion.
Source: Mississippi CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Communicating Your Presence)
3. At a railroad crossing, the red lights start flashing. What does that mean?
Correct answer: A train is approaching; stop
Flashing red lights mean a train is coming and you must yield to it. If there are several tracks, be sure every one is clear before crossing.
Source: Mississippi CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Warning Signs and Devices)
4. At dawn, at dusk, or in rain or snow, which lights should you use so others can see you?
Correct answer: Low-beam headlights
Turn on your headlights, not just clearance or identification lights, and use low beams, since high beams can bother other drivers by day as well as at night.
Source: Mississippi CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Communicating Your Presence)
5. During a turn, when should your turn signal be canceled?
Correct answer: Not until the turn is complete
Signal continuously through the turn, keeping both hands on the wheel, and switch it off once the turn is finished if your signals don't cancel themselves.
Source: Mississippi CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Signal Your Intentions)
6. A white stop line is painted on the pavement before a railroad crossing. Where must a school bus be while stopped there?
Correct answer: With its front behind the line
The bus's front must stay behind the white stop line while it waits at the crossing.
Source: Mississippi CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Warning Signs and Devices)
7. You stopped at a crossing with gates and flashing lights. When may you go?
Correct answer: After the gates rise and the lights quit flashing, when it is safe
Stop as soon as the lights start flashing, before the gate comes down. Stay stopped until the gates are up and the flashing has stopped, then continue when safe.
Source: Mississippi CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Warning Signs and Devices)
8. After you start the engine, the ABS warning light on the dash comes on and does not go off. What does that tell you?
Correct answer: The antilock braking system is not working properly
The ABS light should come on briefly as a bulb check and then go out. If it stays lit, the ABS is not working properly.
Source: Mississippi CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Seven-step Inspection Method)
9. How can you warn following drivers that you will soon need to slow down?
Correct answer: Tap the brake pedal lightly a few times to flash the brake lights
A few light taps — just enough to flash the brake lights — alert drivers behind you. This matters because your vehicle may block their view of the hazard ahead.
Source: Mississippi CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Signal Your Intentions)
10. A driver behind you seems to want to pass. Should you wave or signal to let them know it is safe?
Correct answer: No; directing traffic could cause a crash that you might be blamed for
Don't direct traffic. If your 'all clear' turns out wrong, you could cause a crash and be held responsible for it, possibly at great cost.
Source: Mississippi CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Signal Your Intentions)
11. After signaling, why should you change lanes slowly and smoothly?
Correct answer: So a driver you did not see has time to honk or move out of your way
A gradual lane change gives a driver hidden in a blind spot the chance to warn you or avoid your vehicle.
Source: Mississippi CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Signal Your Intentions)
12. Which pavement markings warn you that a railroad crossing is ahead?
Correct answer: A large X with the letters RR, plus a no-passing marking where the road has two lanes
The RR crossing markings carry the same meaning as the round advance warning sign: slow down and be ready to stop.
Source: Mississippi CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Warning Signs and Devices)
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