Utah permit test: railroad crossings
Crossing signs and signals, when to stop and what to do if stuck. 5 questions.
When you must stop at a railroad crossing, how far from the nearest rail 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
View diagram
When you must stop at a railroad crossing, how far from the nearest rail must you stop?
- A Between 50 and 100 feet
- B At least 100 feet
- C Between 15 and 50 feet
- D Between 5 and 10 feet
Show answer
C. Between 15 and 50 feet
When you stop at a railroad crossing, stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail. This keeps you clear of the train, which can extend three feet or more beyond the rails.
Source: Utah Driver Handbook (AAMVA Model Non-Commercial), page 96
You have stopped at a crossing with flashing lights and believe they are broken. When may you cross?
- A After waiting two minutes with the lights still flashing
- B When you cannot hear a horn with the windows down
- C As soon as the car ahead of you goes across
- D Only with a clear view one mile both ways, no train coming, and room to cross safely
Show answer
D. Only with a clear view one mile both ways, no train coming, and room to cross safely
If flashing crossing lights seem to be malfunctioning, you may cross after a complete stop only if you can see at least one mile down the tracks in both directions, no train is coming, and you can cross safely.
Source: Utah Driver Handbook (AAMVA Model Non-Commercial), page 96
Your car stalls on the tracks and a train is coming. What should you do?
- A Try to restart the engine until the train arrives
- B Stay in the car with seat belts fastened
- C Get everyone out and run toward the train at an angle away from the tracks
- D Run straight down the tracks away from the train
Show answer
C. Get everyone out and run toward the train at an angle away from the tracks
If you stall on a crossing, get everyone out and off the tracks at once and call for help. If a train is coming, move toward it at an angle away from the tracks, which lowers your chance of being hit by flying debris.
Source: Utah Driver Handbook (AAMVA Model Non-Commercial), page 98
About how far does a 100-car freight train traveling at 55 mph need to stop in an emergency?
- A About the length of a football field
- B About 500 feet
- C More than a mile
- D About a quarter mile
Show answer
C. More than a mile
A 100-car freight train at 55 mph needs more than a mile to stop, about 18 football fields. By the time the engineer sees you, it is too late to stop.
Source: Utah Driver Handbook (AAMVA Model Non-Commercial), page 98