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CDL · On the Road

When approaching a railroad crossing on a bus, the driver must:

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Stop within 50 feet of and no closer than 15 feet to the nearest rail, look and listen carefully in both directions, then proceed when sure no train is approaching — regardless of whether warning devices are active

  1. A Continue at posted speed
  2. B Slow down only if a train is visible
  3. C Stop within 50 feet of and no closer than 15 feet to the nearest rail, look and listen carefully in both directions, then proceed when sure no train is approaching — regardless of whether warning devices are active
  4. D Speed up to clear the tracks faster

Why this is the answer

Federal regulations require buses (with passengers aboard, generally) to stop at every railroad crossing within 50 feet of and no closer than 15 feet to the nearest rail. The driver must look and listen, opening the driver's window if practical, and only proceed when sure no train is approaching from either direction. The vehicle must not shift gears while crossing the tracks. Limited exceptions exist for streetcar tracks, abandoned tracks, and crossings under active human-flagger direction. A bus on tracks struck by a train is a mass-casualty event; the stop-and-verify rule exists because of historical incidents where drivers misjudged a train's distance or speed.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual 4.3.1 Railroad Crossings

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About this topic: On the Road

On-the-road passenger questions cover speed on curves, stopping at railroad crossings and drawbridges, managing passengers while driving, and the rules on fuelling, talking with passengers and towing. Passenger safety overrides schedule every time. This is one of 26 Passenger Transport questions on on the road, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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