Signals & Pavement Markings

Study questions with answers

12 sample Signals & Pavement Markings questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. After you pull off onto the shoulder and stop, which lights should you switch on right away, especially at night?

   Correct answer: The four-way emergency flashers

   Turn on the four-way emergency flashers whenever you stop at the side of the road so others notice your vehicle.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 2.5.2 (Communicating Your Presence)

2. 2. After completing a turn, what should you do with your turn signal if it does not cancel by itself?

   Correct answer: Turn the signal off manually

   If your signals are not self-canceling, you must remember to switch the signal off once the turn is finished.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 2.5.1 (Signal Your Intentions)

3. 3. Which of these is one of the three good rules for using turn signals?

   Correct answer: Signal early, well before you turn

   Good signaling means signaling early, keeping the signal on through the turn, and canceling it afterward.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 2.5.1 (Signal Your Intentions)

4. 4. Within how many feet of a vehicle you are following should you dim your headlights?

   Correct answer: 500 feet

   Lower your beams within 500 feet of a vehicle ahead so your lights do not glare in its mirrors.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 2.11.5 (Night Driving Procedures)

5. 5. The red lights begin flashing at a railroad crossing. What does this tell you?

   Correct answer: A train is approaching and you must stop

   Flashing red lights mean a train is approaching and you are required to stop and yield to it.

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

6. 6. At a crossing equipped with gates, when may you proceed after the gates come down?

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

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

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

7. 7. When should you turn on your four-way emergency flashers?

   Correct answer: When you are stopped or driving very slowly

   Use the four-way flashers when you are stopped or forced to drive much slower than surrounding traffic.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 2.5.1 (Signal Your Intentions)

8. 8. A white stop line is painted on the pavement before a set of railroad tracks. What must the vehicle do relative to that line?

   Correct answer: Keep the front of the vehicle behind the line

   When required to stop, the front of the vehicle must stay behind the white stop line while waiting at the crossing.

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

9. 9. How can you warn drivers behind you that you are about to slow down?

   Correct answer: Tap the brake pedal to flash your brake lights

   Lightly tapping the brake pedal a couple of times flashes your brake lights and alerts drivers behind you that you plan to slow.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 2.5.1 (Signal Your Intentions)

10. 10. Before you begin backing with a helper, what is the most important signal to agree on?

    Correct answer: A signal that means 'stop'

    You and your helper should settle on a clear hand signal for 'stop' before you start backing.

    Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 2.2.4 (Backing Safely)

11. 11. On a two-lane road, the pavement markings at a rail crossing also include what?

    Correct answer: A no-passing zone marking

    Along with the 'X' and 'RR', two-lane roads get a no-passing marking approaching the crossing.

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

12. 12. Pavement markings painted on the road ahead of a rail crossing carry the same message as which sign?

    Correct answer: The advance warning sign

    The 'X' and 'RR' painted on the pavement mean the same thing as the round advance warning sign for the crossing.

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