Illinois permit test: railroad crossings
Crossing signs and signals, when to stop and what to do if stuck. 4 questions.
The lights are flashing at a railroad crossing. How far from the tracks must you stop in Illinois?
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Sample railroad crossings questions
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The lights are flashing at a railroad crossing. How far from the tracks must you stop in Illinois?
- A Exactly 100 feet
- B Between 5 and 10 feet
- C Between 15 and 50 feet
- D Between 50 and 100 feet
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C. Between 15 and 50 feet
Stop within 15 to 50 feet of the crossing when there is a stop sign, flashing signals, a lowered gate, a flagger's signal or an approaching train. Go only after the gate is up and the lights stop, then check for more trains.
Your car stalls on railroad tracks. After everyone gets out and calls 911, which way should you move?
- A Stay near the car to flag the train
- B Straight away from the tracks in the same direction the train is going
- C Away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle, toward the oncoming train
- D Along the tracks, away from the train
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C. Away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle, toward the oncoming train
Get everyone out at once, call 911 and move away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle in the direction the train is coming from. If the train hits the car, debris flies forward, away from you.
How should you treat a railroad crossbuck sign?
- A As a sign that trains will stop for cars
- B Like a yield sign: yield to any trains or railroad equipment
- C Like a stop sign: always stop fully, even when no train is coming
- D As a warning only, with no duty to yield
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B. Like a yield sign: yield to any trains or railroad equipment
A railroad crossbuck is treated as a yield sign. If there is more than one track, the number is shown below the crossbuck. Slow down, look both ways and listen for trains.
Where can you find the phone number to report a stalled car or problem at a railroad crossing?
- A On the back of the crossbuck sign
- B On the blue Emergency Notification System sign posted at the crossing
- C On a sign at the next highway exit
- D On the yellow round advance warning sign
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B. On the blue Emergency Notification System sign posted at the crossing
Every highway-rail crossing has a blue Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign with a phone number and the crossing's ID. Calling it reaches the railroad responsible for that crossing and tells it exactly which crossing has the problem.