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 gates equipped with flashing lights are lowering across the roadway at a rail crossing, when may you proceed?

   Correct answer: Only after the gates rise and the lights stop

   You must remain stopped until the gates rise and the lights stop flashing, then cross only when it is safe.

   Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Warning Signs and Devices)

2. 2. Compared with a car, what kind of gap in traffic does a heavily loaded commercial vehicle need to enter a roadway?

   Correct answer: A much larger gap

   Slow acceleration and the space the vehicle occupies mean you need a considerably larger gap than a passenger car would.

   Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Space Needed to Cross or Enter Traffic)

3. 3. When you are being tailgated and need to let the following driver get around you, what helps most?

   Correct answer: Increasing the space ahead of you

   Opening up more room in front of you gives the tailgater a place to move into and lets you avoid sudden speed changes.

   Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Space Behind)

4. 4. When making a left turn at an intersection with two available turning lanes, which lane should a large vehicle use?

   Correct answer: The right turn lane

   Take the right-hand turn lane so that you do not have to swing right to make the turn, and drivers to your left remain easier to see.

   Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Space for Turns)

5. 5. Why should you never try to race a train to a crossing?

   Correct answer: It is very hard to judge a train's speed and distance

   It is extremely difficult to judge the speed and distance of an approaching train, so racing one is never worth the risk.

   Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Driving Procedures)

6. 6. Which vehicles are always required to stop before crossing railroad tracks even when no train is visible?

   Correct answer: Passenger buses and placarded hazmat vehicles

   Buses carrying passengers and vehicles hauling placarded hazardous materials must stop at the crossing regardless of whether a train is near.

   Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Warning Signs and Devices)

7. 7. At a passive railroad crossing with no traffic control device, who makes the decision to stop or proceed?

   Correct answer: The driver alone

   At a passive crossing the decision rests entirely with you; you must recognize the crossing, look for a train, and judge if there is room to cross safely.

   Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Types of Crossings)

8. 8. Because a large vehicle accelerates slowly, what should you make sure of before pulling out to cross a road?

   Correct answer: That you can clear the whole road before traffic arrives

   You must be certain you can get completely across before approaching traffic reaches you, since a big rig needs a much larger gap than a car.

   Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Space Needed to Cross or Enter Traffic)

9. 9. How long does a typical tractor-trailer need to completely clear a single set of railroad tracks?

   Correct answer: At least 14 seconds

   A typical tractor-trailer takes at least 14 seconds to clear a single track, so never start across unless you can make it all the way.

   Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Crossing the Tracks)

10. 10. When the flashing red lights at a rail crossing begin to operate, what must you do?

    Correct answer: Stop and yield the right-of-way to the train

    Flashing red lights mean a train is coming; you must stop and yield the right-of-way to the train.

    Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Warning Signs and Devices)

11. 11. If an oncoming driver drifts into your lane, which direction is generally the best escape?

    Correct answer: Steer to your right

    Steering to your right is usually best, because a driver who realizes the mistake will naturally return to their own lane.

    Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Steering to Avoid a Crash)

12. 12. At a crossing marked only with a crossbuck and no gates or flashing lights, who has the right-of-way?

    Correct answer: The approaching train

    The crossbuck requires you to yield to the train, so an approaching train always has the right-of-way at the crossing.

    Source: Indiana CDL Manual, Section 2 (Warning Signs and Devices)