Railroad-Highway Grade Crossings
Railroad-Highway Grade Crossings - what the exam tests
This domain tests the school bus driver's absolute duty at grade crossings: stop, open the door, listen, look, and cross without shifting. Minnesota questions often test the stop distance, the door procedure, and what to do when gates or lights are active.
Required crossing procedure
- Stop at every railroad crossing unless the crossing is officially posted as exempt or a police officer or flagger directs traffic.
- Stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail, far enough back to see down the track.
- Open the service door, turn off noisy equipment, listen, and look both ways.
- Close the door, cross in the lowest gear, and do not shift while on the tracks.
- Never stop on the tracks or drive around a lowered gate.
Worked example
A bus approaches a crossing with a green traffic signal nearby. The signal is green, but the crossing itself has no separate signal. The driver still stops 15 to 50 feet back, opens the door, listens, looks both ways, closes the door, and crosses in low gear without shifting. A green traffic light does not cancel the school bus stop requirement.
Traps that cost marks
- Treating a green light or an inactive gate as permission to skip the stop.
- Stopping too close to the rail to see approaching trains.
- Shifting gears while crossing.
- Proceeding when a train has just passed; a second train may follow.
Key points
- Stop at all crossings except exempt or officer-controlled crossings.
- Stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail.
- Open the door, listen, and look both ways.
- Cross in the lowest gear without shifting.
- Never go around a lowered gate or stop on the tracks.