Montana permit test: railroad crossings
Crossing signs and signals, when to stop and what to do if stuck. 4 questions.
When you must stop for a train at a Montana railroad crossing, what is the closest you may stop to the nearest rail?
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Sample railroad crossings questions

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When you must stop for a train at a Montana railroad crossing, what is the closest you may stop to the nearest rail?
- A 15 feet
- B 50 feet
- C 5 feet
- D 10 feet
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A. 15 feet
Stop as close as practicable but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail. Staying back keeps you clear of the train as it passes and leaves room to see the tracks.
A crossing has no signals, but you see a train approaching. Within what distance of the crossing must the train be for Montana law to require you to stop?
- A 2500 feet
- B 500 feet
- C 1500 feet
- D 1000 feet
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C. 1500 feet
You must stop when signals, gates, stop signs or a flagger warn of a train, or when a train is within 1500 feet of the crossing or clearly visible and an obvious hazard. Never try to beat a train across the tracks.
If you drive a vehicle with a manual transmission, what does the Montana manual advise when crossing railroad tracks?
- A Shift to neutral and coast across
- B Shift up a gear to cross faster
- C Do not shift gears while on the crossing
- D Stop on the tracks to look both ways
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C. Do not shift gears while on the crossing
Avoid shifting gears while crossing railroad tracks, in case you stall. Choose your gear before the crossing, and never start across until there is room on the far side.
What does a sign below a railroad crossbuck tell you?
- A The number of tracks at the crossing
- B The speed of approaching trains
- C How many trains pass each day
- D The distance to the next crossing
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A. The number of tracks at the crossing
Crossbucks are found at all public crossings. If there is more than one track, a sign below the crossbuck shows how many, so after one train passes, check that all tracks are clear.