Michigan permit test: railroad crossings
Crossing signs and signals, when to stop and what to do if stuck. 5 questions.
A train is coming at a railroad crossing. Where must you stop your vehicle?
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Sample railroad crossings questions
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A train is coming at a railroad crossing. Where must you stop your vehicle?
- A No more than 50 feet and no less than 15 feet from the tracks
- B No more than 100 feet and no less than 50 feet from the tracks
- C No more than 20 feet and no less than 5 feet from the tracks
- D Right at the edge of the nearest rail
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A. No more than 50 feet and no less than 15 feet from the tracks
When a train is approaching, stop between 15 and 50 feet from the tracks. Trains hang over the rails by at least three feet and can carry cargo that sticks out even farther.
Once railroad crossing lights and gates activate, about how long do you have before the train arrives?
- A About 5 seconds
- B About 60 seconds
- C About 2 minutes
- D About 20 seconds
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D. About 20 seconds
Once crossing lights and gates activate, or you hear the train's horn, you have about 20 seconds. If your car is stuck, get everyone out and away from the tracks at once.
Your car stalls on the tracks and the crossing gates come down. What should you do first?
- A Get everyone out and far away from the tracks, then call 911
- B Try to restart the engine until the train is in sight
- C Stay buckled in the car and turn on your hazard lights
- D Push the car off the tracks yourself
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A. Get everyone out and far away from the tracks, then call 911
If the gates activate or a train is clearly coming, get everyone out of the vehicle and as far from the tracks as possible right away. Then call 911.
Your car is stuck on the tracks, but no train is in sight and the signals are not activated. Whom should you call first after getting everyone out?
- A A tow truck company that can pull the car off the tracks
- B Your insurance company
- C The railroad, at the number on the blue sign
- D The Secretary of State
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C. The railroad, at the number on the blue sign
Call the railroad's emergency number on the blue Emergency Notification Sign and give the crossing ID shown on it. Railroad officials may be able to slow, stop or divert the train. Then call 911.