Right-of-Way

Study questions with answers

12 sample Right-of-Way questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. When you need to cross or pull into traffic in a heavy commercial vehicle, why should you wait for a larger gap than a car would need?

   Correct answer: Because the slow acceleration and length of a large vehicle demand a bigger gap

   Because a large vehicle accelerates slowly and needs more room, you must allow a much larger gap and make sure you can clear the road before traffic reaches you.

   Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.7.7 (Space Needed to Cross or Enter Traffic)

2. 2. A 'passive' railroad crossing is one that has what?

   Correct answer: No traffic control device to regulate the crossing

   A passive crossing has no traffic control device, so the driver alone must recognize it, look for trains, and judge whether it is safe to cross.

   Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.15.1 (Types of Crossings)

3. 3. As you near an emergency vehicle that is parked at the side of the road with its lights on, what does the move-over rule require?

   Correct answer: Slow down and move over a lane when it is safe, yielding to the emergency vehicle

   You should slow down and, if it is safe, change into a lane not next to the stopped emergency vehicle; if a lane change is unsafe, slow and pass with caution.

   Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.8.2 (Hazardous Roads)

4. 4. Why does the manual warn against ever trying to beat a train to a crossing?

   Correct answer: Because it is very hard to judge how fast an approaching train is moving

   Do not try to beat a train across, since judging how fast a train is closing in is nearly impossible.

   Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.15.3 (Driving Procedures)

5. 5. In Colorado, on meeting or overtaking a stopped school bus whose signal lights are flashing, a driver must stop at least how far away?

   Correct answer: At least 20 feet before the bus

   A driver must stop at least 20 feet before reaching a school bus that has activated its visual signal lights, and may not move until the lights stop.

   Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.24.1 (Driving Safely Around Buses)

6. 6. An 'active' railroad crossing is defined by the manual as one that has what?

   Correct answer: A traffic control device such as flashing lights or gates

   An active crossing has a traffic control device such as flashing red lights, bells, or gates installed to regulate traffic at the crossing.

   Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.15.1 (Types of Crossings)

7. 7. At a crossing with no painted stop line, where must a vehicle that is required to stop actually stop?

   Correct answer: No closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail

   Where there is no white stop line, vehicles required to stop must do so no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail.

   Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.15.2 (Warning Signs and Devices)

8. 8. When a school bus, a passenger vehicle, or a placarded hazmat vehicle must stop at a rail crossing, what should the driver do about the four-way flashers?

   Correct answer: Turn on the four-way emergency flashers

   These drivers must turn on the four-way emergency flashers as they approach and stop, warning traffic behind them of the required stop.

   Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.15.4 (Stopping Safely at Railroad-highway Crossings)

9. 9. A driver of a placarded hazardous-materials vehicle or a passenger vehicle approaching a grade crossing is generally required to do what?

   Correct answer: Make a full stop before crossing the tracks

   Placarded hazmat vehicles and passenger vehicles are required to make a full stop at grade crossings before proceeding.

   Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.15.4 (Stopping Safely at Railroad-highway Crossings)

10. 10. A driver operating a school bus at a rail crossing must keep the four-way flashers on until when?

    Correct answer: Until the whole bus is past the final rail

    A school bus operator keeps the four-way emergency flashers running until every rail of the crossing is fully behind the bus.

    Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.15.5 (Crossing the Tracks)

11. 11. After one train has passed a multiple-track crossing, why should you double-check before proceeding?

    Correct answer: Because a second train on another track may be hidden by the first

    A train on one track can hide a train coming on another; look both ways and be sure no other train is near before you cross.

    Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.15.3 (Driving Procedures)

12. 12. When completing a turn forces you to swing into the lane of oncoming traffic and a vehicle nears, what must you not do?

    Correct answer: Backing up to give them more room

    Give oncoming vehicles room to stop or go by, but do not back up for them, because you might strike a vehicle behind you.

    Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.7.6 (Space for Turns)