Louisiana permit test: railroad crossings

Crossing signs and signals, when to stop and what to do if stuck. 5 questions.

Question 1 of 5
Railroad crossingsLouisiana rule

Lights are flashing at a railroad crossing as a train approaches. Under Louisiana law, where must you stop?

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

  1. Railroad crossing with red warning lights flashing and no gate; no train in sight
    View diagram
    Railroad crossing with red warning lights flashing and no gate; no train in sightYouStop lineRed lights flashing

    Lights are flashing at a railroad crossing as a train approaches. Under Louisiana law, where must you stop?

    • A Between 5 and 10 feet from the nearest rail
    • B Exactly 100 feet from the crossing
    • C Right at the edge of the first rail
    • D Between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail
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    D. Between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail

    Louisiana's R.S. 32:171 requires you to stop within 50 feet but no less than 15 feet from the nearest rail when signals flash, a gate is down or a train is close. Do not cross until it is safe.

    Source: Class D & E Driver's Guide, page 99

  2. Your car stalls on the tracks and a train is coming. After getting everyone out, which way should you go?

    • A Away from the tracks, toward the approaching train
    • B Stay beside the car to direct traffic
    • C Run down the tracks away from the train
    • D Away from the tracks, in the direction the train is going
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    A. Away from the tracks, toward the approaching train

    Get out and move away from the tracks in the direction of the approaching train. When the train hits the car, debris is thrown forward in the train's direction of travel, so moving toward the train keeps you clear of it.

    Source: Class D & E Driver's Guide, page 99

  3. In Louisiana, how close to a railroad crossing may you park?

    • A No closer than 100 feet
    • B No closer than 15 feet
    • C No closer than 20 feet
    • D No closer than 50 feet
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    D. No closer than 50 feet

    Under R.S. 32:143 you may not park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing. Parked cars near a crossing block drivers' view of the tracks and approaching trains.

    Source: Class D & E Driver's Guide, page 75

  4. Road sign for this question

    What does a railroad crossbuck sign require you to do?

    • A Stop every time, even with no train
    • B Speed up to clear the tracks quickly
    • C Yield the right of way to any train
    • D Nothing unless lights are flashing
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    C. Yield the right of way to any train

    The white crossbuck is a regulatory sign with the same meaning as a yield sign. Slow down, look and listen, and be ready to stop for any train.

    Source: Class D & E Driver's Guide, page 28