Take FRA Conductor Practice Questions - FRA Certified Conductor Exam

QUESTION 1 / 25

Under 49 CFR Part 242, what minimum number of days of service as a crew member is required before a railroad may certify an individual as a conductor?

Choose one answer below.

A90 days of qualifying service✓B180 days of qualifying service✓C1 year of general railroad service✓DNo minimum service is required; a written exam alone suffices✓

QUESTION 2 / 25

Which CFR part establishes the Conductor Certification Rule that railroads must follow when certifying conductors?

Choose one answer below.

A49 CFR Part 218✓B49 CFR Part 236✓C49 CFR Part 242✓D49 CFR Part 232✓

QUESTION 3 / 25

Blue signal protection under 49 CFR Part 218 is primarily intended to protect:

Choose one answer below.

ALocomotive engineers from runaway equipment on grades✓BRoadway workers from train movements on adjacent tracks✓CEmployees who are on, under, or between railroad equipment✓DDispatchers from errors in issuing track warrants✓

QUESTION 4 / 25

Under the Hours of Service Act (49 U.S.C. 21103), the maximum time a train employee may remain on duty in a single tour of duty is:

Choose one answer below.

A10 consecutive hours✓B12 consecutive hours✓C14 consecutive hours✓D16 consecutive hours✓

QUESTION 5 / 25

A conductor notices a switched derail is in the derailing position on the main track ahead. The correct action is to:

Choose one answer below.

AProceed at restricted speed, prepared to stop within half the range of vision✓BStop the train and verify the derail is clear before proceeding✓CProceed normally; derails are only significant on sidings✓DContact the dispatcher and continue at restricted speed✓

QUESTION 6 / 25

In a Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) territory, authority for train movements is provided by:

Choose one answer below.

ATrack warrants issued by the train dispatcher✓BTimetable and train orders✓CBlock signals whose aspects convey movement authority✓DDirect radio approval from the roadmaster✓

QUESTION 7 / 25

Which signal system uses written or verbal track warrants to authorize train movements rather than wayside signals?

Choose one answer below.

AAutomatic Block Signaling (ABS)✓BCentralized Traffic Control (CTC)✓CTrack Warrant Control (TWC)✓DPositive Train Control (PTC)✓

QUESTION 8 / 25

Under 49 CFR Part 214, Roadway Worker Protection, a lone worker who is the only person in their work group must be provided:

Choose one answer below.

AA flagman on each end of the work zone✓BIndividual train detection and warning by the railroad✓CA high-visibility vest and hard hat only✓DAn on-track vehicle for escape✓

QUESTION 9 / 25

During a set-out operation, the conductor must ensure that any car left on a main track or siding is properly:

Choose one answer below.

ASpotted at a specific milepost documented in the timetable✓BProtected with a blue flag before crew members leave✓CSecured with hand brakes sufficient to hold the car on the grade✓DReported to the nearest station agent within one hour✓

QUESTION 10 / 25

Positive Train Control (PTC) as required under 49 CFR Part 236 Subpart I must be able to automatically stop a train to prevent:

Choose one answer below.

AExceeding posted timetable speeds by more than 10 mph✓BTrain-to-train collisions, overspeed derailments, unauthorized incursions into work zones, and movements through misaligned switches✓CAny movement when a crew member is outside the cab✓DDepartures from terminals without a completed hazmat inspection✓

QUESTION 11 / 25

A train operating in Direct Traffic Control (DTC) territory receives authority from:

Choose one answer below.

AWayside block signals that display aspects✓BA dispatcher via radio using a DTC block system✓CTrain orders delivered at passing stations✓DAutomatic block signal indication alone✓

QUESTION 12 / 25

Under 49 CFR Part 232, which brake test requires the engineer and conductor to verify that all brakes in the train apply and release properly before departure?

Choose one answer below.

AClass III (Intermediate) Test✓BClass I (Initial Terminal) Brake Test✓CRunning Brake Test✓DSet-and-Release Test✓

QUESTION 13 / 25

GCOR Rule 6.29 (or equivalent carrier rule) prohibits a conductor from allowing a shoving movement unless:

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AThe movement is less than one car-length at restricted speed✓BA crew member is on the leading end of the movement watching for obstructions✓CThe dispatcher has authorized the move via radio✓DThe engineer sounds the horn pattern for a shoving movement✓

QUESTION 14 / 25

A conductor who observes that a switch has not fully lined is required to:

Choose one answer below.

AProceed at restricted speed and notify the dispatcher afterward✓BStop and report the condition before any equipment passes over the switch✓CAllow the movement to continue and complete a bad-order report✓DApply the locomotive independent brake and continue at 10 mph✓

QUESTION 15 / 25

Under the GCOR, 'restricted speed' means a train must:

Choose one answer below.

ANot exceed 20 mph and stop within half the range of clear vision✓BNot exceed 15 mph and be prepared to stop within the range of clear vision✓CNot exceed 25 mph unless signals indicate otherwise✓DNot exceed the maximum authorized speed for the track class✓

QUESTION 16 / 25

Which hand signal indicates to an engineer that the conductor wants the train to STOP?

Choose one answer below.

AArm raised and moved in a circular motion✓BArm extended and moved up and down✓CArm held horizontally and moved side to side✓DArm raised vertically with fist closed✓

QUESTION 17 / 25

What is the maximum continuous on-duty period allowed for a train employee before a mandatory off-duty period is triggered under 49 U.S.C. 21103?

Choose one answer below.

A8 hours✓B10 hours✓C12 hours✓D14 hours✓

QUESTION 18 / 25

A track warrant issued in TWC territory typically authorizes a train to operate:

Choose one answer below.

ABetween any two stations shown in the timetable at maximum authorized speed✓BBetween specific mileposts or named locations stated in the warrant✓CAnywhere on the railroad as long as the dispatcher is monitoring the movement✓DAt restricted speed only until the dispatcher issues a speed upgrade✓

QUESTION 19 / 25

Under NORAC operating rules, what does a 'Slow Approach' signal aspect indicate?

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AProceed at medium speed; next signal is clear✓BProceed prepared to stop at the next signal; slow speed for entire block✓CProceed at slow speed; stop and proceed at the next signal✓DProceed at restricted speed; expect a diverging route✓

QUESTION 20 / 25

The primary purpose of a locomotive's independent brake is to:

Choose one answer below.

AApply brakes to all cars in the train simultaneously✓BProvide braking force on the locomotive only, independent of the train brakes✓CRelease the air from the train brake pipe to set all brakes in emergency✓DControl the dynamic braking effort of the traction motors✓

QUESTION 21 / 25

Under 49 CFR Parts 171-180 (Hazardous Materials Regulations), a conductor transporting hazmat must verify that:

Choose one answer below.

AHazmat cars are always placed at the rear of the train✓BShipping papers are on board and accessible during transit✓CHazmat containers are stenciled with the conductor's certification number✓DHazmat cars do not exceed 50% of total train length✓

QUESTION 22 / 25

When operating on a descending grade, safe train handling requires the conductor and engineer to use air brakes:

Choose one answer below.

AOnly in emergency to preserve brake shoe life✓BIn a controlled, graduated manner to avoid depleting air and overheating brakes✓CAt full-service application for the entire descent to maintain speed✓DOnly when speed exceeds the maximum authorized track speed✓

QUESTION 23 / 25

A conductor notices a joint bar with a visible crack on a continuous welded rail territory. Under FRA track standards (49 CFR Part 213), this defect should be:

Choose one answer below.

AMonitored on the next scheduled track inspection cycle✓BReported immediately to the railroad's track department for urgent action✓CNoted in the train journal and reported at the end of the trip✓DFlagged only if the crack exceeds 6 inches in length✓

QUESTION 24 / 25

Radio communication rules on most railroads require that when a crew member receives a track warrant, they must:

Choose one answer below.

AWrite down the warrant and sign it without reading back✓BRecord the warrant in the train log and proceed immediately✓CRead back all elements of the warrant to the dispatcher and receive confirmation✓DRepeat only the authority limits, not the restrictions✓

QUESTION 25 / 25

Under 49 CFR Part 242, a certified conductor who is found to have violated a railroad rule that may have contributed to a serious accident may be subject to:

Choose one answer below.

AA mandatory 30-day suspension from all railroad operations✓BDecertification proceedings initiated by the railroad or FRA✓COnly a written reprimand entered in the personnel file✓DCivil fines up to $100,000 per violation payable personally✓