Indiana permit test: railroad crossings

Crossing signs and signals, when to stop and what to do if stuck. 4 questions.

Question 1 of 4
Railroad crossingsIndiana rule

Vehicles carrying passengers for hire must stop at railroad crossings. In Indiana, how far from the nearest rail must they stop?

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Sample railroad crossings questions

  1. Vehicles carrying passengers for hire must stop at railroad crossings. In Indiana, how far from the nearest rail must they stop?

    • A Between 15 and 50 feet
    • B Between 10 and 40 feet
    • C Between 5 and 25 feet
    • D Between 20 and 100 feet
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    A. Between 15 and 50 feet

    School buses, vehicles carrying passengers for hire and vehicles carrying explosives or flammable liquids must stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail. Expect these vehicles to stop at every crossing.

    Source: Indiana Driver's Manual, page 53

  2. Road sign for this question

    How should you treat a railroad crossbuck that has no lights, gates or stop sign?

    • A Like a stop sign; always stop
    • B As information only; no action needed
    • C Like a green light; you may cross freely
    • D Like a yield sign; stop if a train is coming
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    D. Like a yield sign; stop if a train is coming

    A crossbuck displayed alone is treated as a yield sign. Slow down, look and listen, and stop if a train is approaching.

    Source: Indiana Driver's Manual, page 53

  3. Once railroad crossing lights begin to flash and the gate starts lowering, about how much time do you have to get off the crossing?

    • A About 5 seconds
    • B About 60 seconds
    • C About 2 minutes
    • D About 20 seconds
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    D. About 20 seconds

    You have approximately 20 seconds to escape after the lights flash and gate lowers. Never start across unless you can clear the tracks without stopping.

    Source: Indiana Driver's Manual, page 54

  4. Your car stalls on the tracks and a train is coming. Which way should you run?

    • A Straight away from the tracks in the same direction the train is going
    • B Along the tracks away from the train
    • C Away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle toward the train
    • D Stay in the car and keep trying to start it
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    C. Away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle toward the train

    Get everyone out and run at a 45-degree angle away from the tracks, toward the oncoming train, so debris thrown forward by the collision does not hit you. Then call 911.

    Source: Indiana Driver's Manual, page 54