Railroad crossing rules for CDL drivers
Section 2.15 of the Mississippi CDL Manual (p. 2-30) covers railroad-highway crossings: when to stop and how to cross safely. It is tested on the General Knowledge test.
Key facts
| Part of | the General Knowledge test (80% to pass) | 49 CFR 383.135 |
|---|---|---|
| Manual section | §2.15 Railroad-highway crossings | MS CDL Manual p. 2-30 |
| Questions in CDL Mile's bank | 10 | CDL Mile, checked against MS CDL Manual |
Key rules
- § 2.15.2p. 2-31
At a gated crossing, stay stopped until the gates are all the way up and the lights have stopped flashing. Then go only when it is safe.
Warning Signs and Devices
- § 2.15.5p. 2-32
Never let traffic trap you in a spot where you would have to stop on the tracks. Wait until you are sure you can get all the way across before you start.
Crossing the Tracks
- § 2.15.1p. 2-30
A passive crossing has no traffic control device, so the decision to stop or go rests entirely with you. Crossings with flashing lights, bells or gates are active crossings.
Types of Crossings
Try two questions
General Knowledge · Railroad-highway crossings
A long freight train has just cleared a crossing with two sets of tracks. What should you do before starting across?
Tap an answer to see the explanation and the manual page.
General Knowledge · Railroad-highway crossings
When you must make a full stop at a railroad crossing, what does the manual say to do as you stop?
Tap an answer to see the explanation and the manual page.
More General Knowledge topics
Sources
Mississippi Commercial Driver's License Manual, version March 2025, Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Page references are to its printed page numbers. CDL Mile is independent and not affiliated with Mississippi DPS.
Updated for the March 2025 Mississippi CDL manual. Last checked November 5, 2026.
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