Arkansas permit test: railroad crossings
Crossing signs and signals, when to stop and what to do if stuck. 5 questions.
The red lights at a railroad crossing keep flashing, but you see no train. What should you do?
Keyboard: press 1–4 or A–D to answer, Enter for the next question, S to save, R to read aloud, P to pause reading, L to listen and answer.
Sample railroad crossings questions
View diagram
The red lights at a railroad crossing keep flashing, but you see no train. What should you do?
- A Cross carefully, since no train is in sight in either direction
- B Cross if the gates are still up
- C Wait 30 seconds, then cross
- D Stay stopped; do not cross while the lights flash
Show answer
D. Stay stopped; do not cross while the lights flash
When the red lights at a crossing are flashing, a train is present. Even if the lights keep flashing and no train appears, do not cross. Trains are faster and closer than they look.
Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Volume 1, page 41
You have just started across the tracks when the crossing gates begin to come down. What should you do?
- A Stop on the tracks and wait for the gates to rise
- B Back up off the tracks
- C Keep going, even if you break the gate
- D Stop and get out of the vehicle
Show answer
C. Keep going, even if you break the gate
If the gates begin to lower after you have started across, keep going even if it means breaking the gate. A broken gate is easily replaced; being stopped on the tracks can be deadly.
Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Volume 1, page 41
Why does the Arkansas guide advise against shifting gears while crossing railroad tracks in a manual-transmission car?
- A Shifting damages the clutch on rough surfaces
- B The engine could stall on the tracks
- C It is illegal to shift on any bridge or crossing
- D Shifting makes the car too loud to hear a train
Show answer
B. The engine could stall on the tracks
In a manual-transmission vehicle, choose your gear before the crossing and do not shift on the tracks. A stalled engine could leave you stranded in the path of a train.
Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Volume 1, page 40
What does this white X-shaped sign at a railroad crossing require you to do?
- A Stop at every crossing even with no train coming
- B Speed up to clear the tracks quickly
- C Yield the right-of-way to any train
- D Watch for road work ahead
Show answer
C. Yield the right-of-way to any train
The crossbuck is a white X-shaped sign that marks a railroad grade crossing. It requires you to yield to trains: slow down, look both ways, and stop if a train is coming.
Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Volume 1, page 40