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CDL · Railroad Crossings

Why must the driver open the door and window and stop talking or radio noise at a railroad crossing?

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

So the driver can listen as well as look for an approaching train, since a train may be heard before it is clearly seen

  1. A It is not actually required
  2. B So the driver can listen as well as look for an approaching train, since a train may be heard before it is clearly seen
  3. C To signal students to be quiet for fun
  4. D To let fresh air in

Why this is the answer

At a railroad crossing the driver must both look and listen. Opening the service door and the driver's side window, and quieting the students, radio, and fans, lets the driver hear a train horn or the sound of an approaching train, which can sometimes be detected before the train is clearly visible — especially in curves, fog, or with obstructed sight lines. Combining careful looking in both directions with active listening gives the best chance of detecting a train. Only after confirming the way is clear, and that the bus can fully clear the tracks, should the driver proceed across without stopping on the rails.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual 10.4.2 Listening for Trains

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About this topic: Railroad Crossings

School buses must stop at every railroad crossing, open the door and window, look and listen, and cross in a low gear without shifting. These questions cover the full procedure and the exceptions. This is one of 7 School Bus questions on railroad crossings, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our CDL exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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