United States Permit Test Coach
Railroad crossingsQuestion 203 of 223
Black signal box with two round lamps: the left lamp is lit red and the right lamp is dark

What do flashing red lights at a railroad crossing tell you?

  1. The railroad crossing is out of use.
  2. Rail traffic is coming or is on the crossing.
  3. You may cross if the gate is up.
  4. A train just passed, so you may go.
Show answer

Correct answer: Rail traffic is coming or is on the crossing.

Flashing red lights at a crossing show that a train is approaching or is on the crossing. Stop and wait until the lights stop.

Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1 (FHWA, December 2025), Section 8D.02 Flashing-Light Signals, page 1059

Practice railroad crossings

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026