Iowa CDL — General Knowledge: Right-of-Way Practice Test

Question 1

According to Iowa's manual, where is it both safe and legal to cross railroad tracks?

Accepted Answer

At a designated crossing — The Operation Lifesaver material in Iowa's manual says designated crossings are the only safe and legal places to cross tracks.

Answer

Anywhere with a clear view both ways

Answer

At the end of a rail yard

Answer

Wherever the tracks are level with the road

Question 2

What should you NOT assume about every railroad crossing on your route?

Accepted Answer

That it has gates — Many tracks have no gates at all, so look for the advance warning sign and the pavement markings that signal a crossing ahead.

Answer

That trains have the right-of-way

Answer

That you must look both ways

Answer

That more than one track can mean more than one train

Question 3

Your truck is fully loaded and you're waiting to pull onto a busy highway. How should the load affect the gap you pick?

Accepted Answer

Choose a larger gap, because a heavy load accelerates more slowly — Acceleration varies with the load, so allow more room when you're heavily loaded and be sure you can get fully across or up to speed before traffic reaches you.

Answer

Choose a smaller gap, since momentum carries you

Answer

The load doesn't matter

Answer

Use the same gap a car would

Question 4

After crossing the tracks, you have to stop for traffic ahead. Per Iowa's manual, how much room should you leave between your back bumper and the closest rail?

Accepted Answer

At least 15 feet — Iowa's manual says to keep a gap of at least 15 feet from the closest rail at both ends of your vehicle, because a train is wider than the tracks.

Answer

At least 5 feet

Answer

At least 50 feet

Answer

Any amount, once your wheels are off the rails

Question 5

At an intersection with two left-turn lanes, you begin your tractor-trailer's turn from the inside (left) lane. What problem does the manual warn this can cause?

Accepted Answer

You may have to swing right to complete the turn, toward traffic in the other turn lane — The manual says to take the right-hand lane when there are two left-turn lanes. Starting from the inside lane can force you to swing right to finish, and drivers on your left are easier to see from the right-hand lane.

Answer

Your trailer will track neatly inside the curb

Answer

Oncoming drivers will have to back up

Answer

Nothing; the inside lane is preferred

Question 6

As you approach a student stop in a school bus on the road test, where should you position the bus?

Accepted Answer

As far to the right as possible on the traveled part of the roadway — Approaching the pick-up, slow down, keep checking traffic, turn on the amber warning lights and right signal, and move as far right as you can on the traveled roadway before stopping at least 10 feet from the students.

Answer

In the center of the lane to block traffic

Answer

Fully on the grass beyond the shoulder

Answer

In the left lane

Question 7

Among the manual's tips for not becoming an aggressive driver, which lane habit should you avoid?

Accepted Answer

Driving slowly in the left lane — The tips for avoiding aggressive driving include not driving slowly in the left lane of traffic, along with keeping a reasonable following distance.

Answer

Staying in the right lane on upgrades

Answer

Keeping your vehicle centered in the lane

Answer

Moving right after completing a turn

Question 8

You're driving a placarded tanker, and a police officer at a railroad crossing waves traffic through. Must you still make the full stop?

Accepted Answer

No, you need not stop when an officer directs traffic to proceed — Iowa's railroad page says vehicles that normally must stop don't have to when a police officer or a highway traffic signal directs traffic to go, or when the crossing is marked EXEMPT. Still look carefully as you cross.

Answer

Yes, placarded vehicles must always stop

Answer

Only if the gates are up

Answer

Only at night

Question 9

Why should you always expect a train at a crossing, even on a track that looks unused?

Accepted Answer

Trains can use any track at any time and may be closer and faster than they look — Iowa's railroad guidance reminds drivers that a train can be on any track at any time and is often nearer and moving faster than it appears.

Answer

Unused tracks are tested every hour

Answer

Horns are banned near unused tracks

Answer

Only freight trains use side tracks

Question 10

As you pull back into traffic at the end of the stop/start maneuver on the road test, from which direction should you check traffic especially carefully?

Accepted Answer

From the left — When resuming, check traffic and mirrors in all directions, especially to the left, then ease back into the correct lane, steering and accelerating smoothly, once there's a safe opening.

Answer

From the right

Answer

From directly behind only

Answer

From above, for low wires

Question 11

Why must your vehicle be clear of more than just the rails themselves at a crossing?

Accepted Answer

Trains hang out past the rails, so they are wider than the track — A train extends beyond the rails on both sides, so a vehicle stopped just past them can still be struck. Leave at least 15 feet of clearance.

Answer

The rails carry electric current

Answer

Crossing gates swing out over the road

Answer

Railroad inspectors need room to walk

Question 12

During the school bus student discharge on the road test, what must you do while students are crossing?

Accepted Answer

Check traffic, communicate with the students, and check for students — While students cross, you keep checking traffic, keep communicating with them, and keep checking for students before you resume.

Answer

Pull forward slowly to clear the stop

Answer

Turn off the red warning lights

Answer

Close the door and wait inside

Iowa CDL — General Knowledge: Right-of-Way practice test

Study questions with answers

1. According to Iowa's manual, where is it both safe and legal to cross railroad tracks?

2. What should you NOT assume about every railroad crossing on your route?

3. Your truck is fully loaded and you're waiting to pull onto a busy highway. How should the load affect the gap you pick?

4. After crossing the tracks, you have to stop for traffic ahead. Per Iowa's manual, how much room should you leave between your back bumper and the closest rail?

5. At an intersection with two left-turn lanes, you begin your tractor-trailer's turn from the inside (left) lane. What problem does the manual warn this can cause?

6. As you approach a student stop in a school bus on the road test, where should you position the bus?

7. Among the manual's tips for not becoming an aggressive driver, which lane habit should you avoid?

8. You're driving a placarded tanker, and a police officer at a railroad crossing waves traffic through. Must you still make the full stop?

9. Why should you always expect a train at a crossing, even on a track that looks unused?

10. As you pull back into traffic at the end of the stop/start maneuver on the road test, from which direction should you check traffic especially carefully?

11. Why must your vehicle be clear of more than just the rails themselves at a crossing?

12. During the school bus student discharge on the road test, what must you do while students are crossing?

More CDL — General Knowledge topics

Practice Right-of-Way in another state