New! High Road 2.0! We have a new version of this program. You can find it here: High Road 2.0

Railroad Crossing

When operating a commercial bus, you must lower the window and/or open the door to listen for trains. Then close the door prior to moving.

When operating a school bus you must turn off all radios, tape/CD players, heaters and fans to hear adequately. You must lower the window and open the door to listen for trains. Then close door the prior to moving.

Before reaching the crossing, all commercial drivers should:

• Decelerate, brake smoothly, and shift gears as necessary.
• Look and listen for the presence of trains.
• Check traffic in all directions.

Do not stop, change gears, pass another vehicle or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is in the crossing.

If you are driving a bus, a school bus or a vehicle displaying placards, be prepared to observe the following procedures at every railroad crossing (unless the crossing is exempt):

• As the vehicle approaches a railroad crossing, activate the four-way flashers.
• Stop the vehicle within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail and set parking brake.
• Listen and look in both directions along the track for an approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train. If operating a bus, you must open the window and door prior to crossing tracks.
• Keep hands on the steering wheel as the vehicle crosses the tracks.
• Do not stop, change gears or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is proceeding across the tracks.
• The 4-way flashers should be deactivated after the vehicle crosses the tracks.

Not all driving exam routes will have a railroad crossing. You may be asked to explain and demonstrate the proper railroad crossing procedures to the examiner at a simulated location.

When a crossing gate or cross buck seems to be malfunctioning or in a nonworking condition, look for a telephone number for the railroad company to report the malfunction. Each crossing has a number assigned to it. You will need to mention this number when calling to inform the railroad company that the crossing is either malfunctioning or in a nonworking condition.

Bridge/Overpass/Sign

After driving under an overpass, you may be asked to tell the examiner what the posted clearance or height was. After going over a bridge, you may be asked to tell the examiner what the posted weight limit was. If your test route does not have a bridge or overpass, you may be asked about another traffic sign. When asked, be prepared to identify and explain to the examiner any traffic sign that may appear on the route.

Driving Exam Requirements

During the driving exam you must:

• Wear your safety belt.
• Obey all traffic signs, signals, and laws.
• Complete the test without an accident or moving violation.

Scoring

You will be scored on your overall performance in the following general driving behavior categories:

Clutch usage (for manual transmission):

• Always use the clutch to shift.
• Double-clutch if vehicle is equipped with non-synchronized transmission.
• Do not rev or lug the engine.
• Do not ride the clutch to control speed, coast with the clutch depressed, or “pop the clutch.”

Gear usage (for manual transmission):

• Do not grind or clash gears.
• Select a gear that does not rev or lug engine.
• Do not shift in turns and intersections.

Brake usage:

• Do not ride or pump brake.
• Do not brake harshly. Brake smoothly using steady pressure.

Lane usage:

• Do not put vehicle over curbs, sidewalks or lane markings.
• Stop behind stop lines, crosswalks or stop signs.
• Complete a turn in the proper lane on a multiple-lane road (vehicle should finish a left turn in the lane directly to the right of the center line).
• Finish a right turn in the right-most (curb) lane.
• Move to or remain in right-most lane unless lane is blocked.