A stop sign just past the tracks would leave your trailer over the rails. How long may you block the crossing?

20 seconds at most, once clear of trains

As long as the light at the stop sign is red

Not at all, under any condition

Up to two minutes if traffic is heavy

A taxi has a dispatch computer installed. What does the guide advise?

Keep it, but do not type while driving

Remove it before every single shift

Type into it only while stopped at red lights

Your truck stalls on a crossing and a train is coming. Which way should you run?

Away from the track, toward the oncoming train

Across the tracks to the far side, away from the train

Along the tracks away from the train

Alberta Class 1–4 overview

Alberta Class 1–4: Distraction, fatigue, railway crossings and fire

The distracted driving law for commercial drivers, signs and prevention of fatigue, crossing railway tracks in a large vehicle, and using a fire extinguisher.

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Distraction, fatigue, railway crossings and fire · Question 1Score 0/0

A bus has a fire. How far away should passengers be moved?

Tip: press 1–4 to answer and Enter for the next question.

Study reference: Commercial Driver's Guide (Spring 2023), Ch. 10 Responsible Driving Tips for Commercial Drivers — Distracted driving, Fatigue, Railway crossing, Fire and fire extinguishers

All 16 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

A bus has a fire. How far away should passengers be moved?
1. At least 100 m (330 ft)
2. At least 35 m (115 ft)
3. At least 10 m (33 ft)
4. Just off the road
A stop sign just past the tracks would leave your trailer over the rails. How long may you block the crossing?
1. As long as the light at the stop sign is red
2. Not at all, under any condition
3. Up to two minutes if traffic is heavy
4. 20 seconds at most, once clear of trains
What does PASS stand for when using a fire extinguisher?
1. Pull, Aim low, Squeeze, Sweep
2. Point, Activate, Spray, Stop
3. Push, Aim high, Squeeze, Spray
4. Pull, Approach, Shake, Sweep
A taxi has a dispatch computer installed. What does the guide advise?
1. Keep it, but do not type while driving
2. Remove it before every single shift
3. Type into it only while stopped at red lights
4. Use it freely below 50 km/h
Your truck stalls on a crossing and a train is coming. Which way should you run?
1. Back into the cab for safety
2. Across the tracks to the far side, away from the train
3. Away from the track, toward the oncoming train
4. Along the tracks away from the train
How does drowsy driving compare with impaired driving, according to the guide?
1. It only affects new drivers
2. It is only risky at night
3. It is just as dangerous
4. It is much safer
How often does the guide recommend scheduling a break on a long trip?
1. Every two hours or 160 km
2. Every hour or 50 km
3. Every four hours or 300 km
4. Only when you feel tired
Which vehicles does Alberta's distracted driving law cover?
1. Only vehicles registered under 4,500 kg
2. Only passenger cars and light trucks
3. Every vehicle under the Act
4. Only vehicles carrying passengers
The crossing lights begin to flash after you have started across the tracks. What should you do?
1. Back up off the tracks
2. Keep going across
3. Shift to a lower gear and stop
4. Stop on the tracks and wait
During which hours do most fatigue-related collisions happen?
1. 6 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.
2. 10 a.m. to noon
3. Midnight to 1 a.m. only
4. 1 to 4 p.m. and 2 to 6 a.m.
When may a commercial driver use a two-way (CB) radio while driving?
1. Never, under any condition
2. Only when the truck is parked
3. Only to talk with family
4. To escort oversized loads
Which is a warning sign of fatigue?
1. Not remembering the last few kilometres
2. Wanting to change the radio station
3. Seeing more traffic than usual
4. Feeling hungry
When is a GPS screen allowed under the distracted driving law?
1. Whenever it is held up at eye level
2. If mounted and set before driving
3. When you type in data at low speed
4. Only on highways
Why are large vehicles at greater risk at railway crossings?
1. They ride higher than the train
2. Their horns are quieter than a car's
3. They are exempt from crossing signals
4. They need more time and room
Where must a large vehicle stop when it has to stop at a railway crossing?
1. At least 30 m from the rail
2. Right at the crossing gate
3. Between 5 m and 15 m from the nearest rail
4. Between 2 m and 5 m from the rail
About how long does a typical portable extinguisher discharge?
1. Three seconds
2. 30 to 40 seconds
3. Eight to ten seconds
4. Two to three minutes

Distraction, fatigue, railway crossings and fire: key rules to remember

Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗

Distracted driving law for commercial drivers (pp. 87–88)

The distracted driving law covers every vehicle under the Traffic Safety Act, including truck tractors, farm vehicles, motor homes, motorcycles and bicycles.
The guide advises against using any cellphone while driving, hands-free included; stop in a safe, legal place to call or text.
The Act sets fines for hand-held phone use, texting or emailing, and using devices such as laptops, games, cameras and video screens.
Fines also apply to programming portable audio players, entering GPS data, reading printed material, writing or sketching, and personal grooming.
Emergency vehicles under the Act include police vehicles, fire response units, ambulances and gas disconnection units responding to a call.
Emergency vehicle drivers may use hand-held devices only while acting within the scope of their job.
Two-way and hand-held radios (CB radios) may be used when escorting oversized loads, contacting your employer, or in search, rescue and emergency work.
A GPS screen is allowed if it is mounted and programmed before driving, or voice-activated; you may not hold it or type into it while driving.
Screens showing vehicle system information or location, passenger dispatch systems, and logistics tracking systems are permitted.
Taxi and delivery drivers may keep dispatch computers installed, but should not type into them while driving.
Hand-held radio use to warn of extreme weather or a hazard such as a collision may fall under the emergency category.
Enforcement officers decide in each situation whether a driver is obeying the law.
Tour bus drivers must not drive distracted; hands-free units and other technology can be used to inform passengers.

Fatigue (pp. 88–89)

Drowsy driving is as dangerous as impaired driving: it slows reaction time, lowers awareness and harms judgement.
Lack of sleep is one of the most common causes of drowsy driving.
Other factors: driving alone, long distances without breaks, driving through the night or when you would normally sleep, sleep-inducing medication and alcohol.
Those most at risk include shift workers, commercial drivers, people with untreated sleep disorders, teenagers and young adults.
Warning signs: yawning, trouble keeping eyes focused and head up, wandering thoughts, not remembering the last few kilometres.
More warning signs: drifting between lanes, tailgating, missing signs, and a vehicle suddenly appearing in the mirror.
Most fatigue-related collisions happen between 1 and 4 p.m. and between 2 and 6 a.m.
Fatigue collisions tend to happen at higher speeds and involve running off the road or head-on crashes.
Radio, open windows, coffee, gum or eating only help for short periods.
Prevention: know your biological clock, stop when sleepy, sleep well before a long trip, and stay overnight instead of driving straight through.
Schedule a break every two hours or every 160 km.
A mid-afternoon nap of 20 to 40 minutes helps.
An awake, alert passenger can chat with you and point out signs of fatigue.

Railway crossings (pp. 89–90)

Large vehicles are at greater risk at crossings: longer vehicles need more time to clear, heavier vehicles need more room to stop, and they are more likely to derail a train.
Approach: slow down, shift to a lower gear with a manual transmission, test your brakes, check traffic behind, and stop gradually.
Stop no closer than 5 m and no farther than 15 m from the nearest rail.
Roll down the window and reduce noise inside to hear a train.
Look around mirrors and windshield pillars for trains while stopped.
Set the park brakes while waiting so you do not roll onto the track.
Before going, make sure there is room for the whole unit, including overhang, to clear the far side.
A train is about one metre wider than the rails on each side.
Choose a gear that lets you cross without shifting.
If the crossing lights start to flash after you have started across, keep going; it is safer than backing up.
With more than one track, there may be more than one train.

Other railway considerations (pp. 90–91)

If your vehicle stalls or gets stuck on a crossing, get out at once.
If a train is coming, move away from the track toward the oncoming train to avoid flying debris.
Call the railway's posted emergency number or 911.
Do not cross unless you can see far enough both ways to be sure no train is coming, even when signals are not active.
At night, a train crossing in front of you at an uncontrolled rural crossing may look like a dark shape against a dark road.
If a STOP sign beyond the tracks leaves too little room and your vehicle would overhang the tracks, make sure no train is coming, then pull up to the sign; do not block the crossing for more than 20 seconds.
Rural crossings may have steeper approaches, higher snow banks, more brush and trees, fewer automatic warnings and rough surfaces.
A controlled crossing has a flag person, stop sign, gate, or electric or mechanical signal; all vehicles must stop there when signalled.
School buses, vehicles carrying explosives, and vehicles designated for flammable liquids or gas (loaded or empty) must stop at every uncontrolled crossing.
Obey a police officer or identified railway flag person at the crossing; municipal bylaws may add stopping rules.

Fire and fire extinguishers (pp. 91–92)

Never start a vehicle with a fuel leak; repair it and soak up spilled fuel with approved absorbent.
Shut off the engine when refuelling and do not smoke near fuelling areas.
Touch the nozzle to the filler pipe before fuelling to ground it and prevent static sparks.
Under-inflated tires build heat and can cause a fire; check tire pressure often.
Dragging brakes generate heat that can ignite hub grease when the vehicle stops.
If a bus has a fire or danger of fire, stop in a safe place and move passengers at least 35 m (115 ft) away.
Most commercial vehicles carry the portable extinguisher in the driver's compartment.
Do not fight a fire that is beyond you or your extinguisher; you may have only eight to ten seconds of discharge.
Remove the extinguisher, pull the pin, approach from upwind if possible, and hold it upright.
PASS: Pull the pin, Aim low at the base of the fire, Squeeze slowly and evenly, Sweep side to side starting at one edge.
Do not start in the middle of the fire.
After use, replace the pin, note the use on the post-trip inspection, and have the extinguisher recharged or replaced right away.

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