Sample Emergencies questions
Before crossing Michigan railroad tracks with traffic backed up, how far past them must you be able to clear?
At least 3 inches At least 6 feet At least 1 foot At least 100 feet Show the answer
At least 6 feet
With traffic backed up near a crossing, wait until there is room for your whole vehicle to get at least 6 feet past the tracks.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133, Rev. 10/2025), Chapter 4, Railroad crossings, pp. 35-37
You are stuck on Michigan tracks and the crossing gates have activated. What should you do?
Call the railroad, then wait in the car Get everyone out and far away, then call 911 Stay buckled and wait for help Try restarting until the train is close Show the answer
Get everyone out and far away, then call 911
Get everyone out of the vehicle and as far from the tracks as possible, and then call 911.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133, Rev. 10/2025), Chapter 4, Railroad crossings, pp. 35-37
A Michigan officer has pulled you over. Where should you keep your hands?
Under the seat Holding your phone in the air Reaching for your papers right away Empty and in plain sight on the wheel Show the answer
Empty and in plain sight on the wheel
Stay in your car with your seat belt on, and let the officer know where your documents are before you reach for them.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133, Rev. 10/2025), Chapter 7, If you are pulled over, p. 67
There is snow on the road at a Michigan railroad crossing. How should you cross?
In reverse gear By stopping on the tracks first As slowly as the car will go With enough speed not to get stuck Show the answer
With enough speed not to get stuck
Enough speed helps prevent you from becoming stuck at the crossing.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133, Rev. 10/2025), Chapter 4, Railroad crossings, pp. 35-37
A train is coming at a Michigan crossing. What is the farthest from the tracks your stop should be?
5 feet 200 feet 500 feet 50 feet Show the answer
50 feet
You must stop no more than 50 feet and no less than 15 feet from the tracks.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133, Rev. 10/2025), Chapter 4, Railroad crossings, pp. 35-37
Your vehicle begins to skid in Michigan. How should you turn the front wheels?
Only enough to point where you want to go As far as they will go, away from the skid All the way toward the shoulder Back and forth quickly Show the answer
Only enough to point where you want to go
Take your foot off the accelerator, and be ready for a second skid in the opposite direction.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133, Rev. 10/2025), Chapter 7, If your vehicle begins skidding, p. 63
Which vehicles must generally stop at Michigan railroad crossings even with no stop sign or signal?
Cars pulling trailers Motorcycles and mopeds All pickup trucks School buses and gasoline trucks Show the answer
School buses and gasoline trucks
Vehicles carrying passengers for hire and other hazardous-material vehicles must also stop, so be ready behind them.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133, Rev. 10/2025), Chapter 4, Railroad crossings, pp. 35-37
By Michigan's manual, how should you brake for a hard stop on snow without anti-lock brakes?
Shift to neutral and do not brake Just hard enough not to lock the wheels Use only the parking brake As hard as you can, and hold Show the answer
Just hard enough not to lock the wheels
If the wheels lock, release pressure and apply the brakes again.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133, Rev. 10/2025), Chapter 7, Braking, p. 63
According to Michigan's manual, how far can trains overhang the tracks on each side?
At least three feet At most one inch At most one foot At most six inches Show the answer
At least three feet
Some trains also have cargo extending even farther, so stay well back.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133, Rev. 10/2025), Chapter 4, Railroad crossings, pp. 35-37
After crossing lights and gates activate, about how long before the train arrives, according to Michigan's manual?
About 2 minutes About 2 seconds About 10 minutes About 20 seconds Show the answer
About 20 seconds
That is why you need to act immediately if you are stuck on the tracks.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133, Rev. 10/2025), Chapter 4, Railroad crossings, pp. 35-37
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About these questions
We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133) (Revised October 2025 edition) and from official sources on road signs. Every answer links to its source, so you can check it and read more.
DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. This practice test is not connected to the Michigan Department of State (Secretary of State), and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.
