Airside Vehicle Operator's Permit (AVOP) Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is the aerodrome traffic circuit and why should operators understand it?

Communication circuit
The defined flight path aircraft follow for landing, affecting busy areas (Correct answer)
Vehicle traffic circle
Electrical system

Correct answer: The defined flight path aircraft follow for landing, affecting busy areas

Understanding the traffic circuit helps anticipate where aircraft fly at low altitude.

Question 2: Which of the following has the highest right-of-way over all other traffic on the airside?

An emergency vehicle responding to a call with lights and sirens active.
A fleet of baggage carts moving along a vehicle corridor.
An aircraft being pushed back from a gate by a tow tractor. (Correct answer)
An airport operations vehicle with a flashing yellow beacon.

Correct answer: An aircraft being pushed back from a gate by a tow tractor.

Aircraft always have the ultimate right-of-way, whether they are taxiing under their own power, being towed, or being pushed back. All vehicles and pedestrians must yield to aircraft movements in all circumstances to ensure the highest level of safety.

Question 3: What does 'read back' mean in radio communications?

Read the NOTAM board
Repeat the controller's instruction to confirm understanding (Correct answer)
Ask the controller to repeat
Read the airport manual

Correct answer: Repeat the controller's instruction to confirm understanding

Read-back requires repeating the ATC instruction verbatim to confirm correct understanding.

Question 4: What is the proper technique for driving in wet conditions on the airfield?

Maintain normal speed
Drive faster through puddles
Reduce speed, increase following distance, avoid sudden braking, watch for hydroplaning (Correct answer)
Use low beams only

Correct answer: Reduce speed, increase following distance, avoid sudden braking, watch for hydroplaning

Wet conditions require reduced speed and extra caution on painted surfaces.

Question 5: While performing your duties on the apron, you witness an unattended bag left next to a security fence. Which of the following is the correct course of action?

Do not touch or move the bag; move a safe distance away and immediately report it to airport security or your supervisor. (Correct answer)
Pick up the bag and take it to the lost and found office.
Assume someone will be back for it and continue with your work.
Open the bag to try and identify its owner.

Correct answer: Do not touch or move the bag; move a safe distance away and immediately report it to airport security or your supervisor.

Unattended items in a restricted airport environment are a potential security threat. The correct protocol is to never touch or move the item. You must report it to the proper authorities (airport security, police, or a supervisor) from a safe distance, providing a clear description and location.

Question 6: What is a Low Visibility Operations (LVO) plan?

Procedures activated when visibility drops below minimums (Correct answer)
Plan to close the airport
Plan for reducing lighting
Fog machine maintenance

Correct answer: Procedures activated when visibility drops below minimums

The LVO plan defines special procedures when visibility falls below certain thresholds.

Question 7: What is a 'hot spot' on an airport surface movement chart?

A zone where ground vehicle speeds are restricted to 5 mph
An area where aircraft refueling operations take place
A location on the airport movement area with a history of runway incursions or surface incidents (Correct answer)
A region of high electromagnetic interference affecting radio communications

Correct answer: A location on the airport movement area with a history of runway incursions or surface incidents

A hot spot is a designated location on the airfield with a known history of runway incursions, surface incidents, or potential confusion, requiring heightened vigilance.

Question 8: A vehicle operator is driving on an apron service road and sees an aircraft taxiing towards the same intersection. What is the correct procedure?

Attempt to speed up and cross the intersection before the aircraft arrives.
Flash headlights to signal intent to cross to the pilot.
Maintain current speed and assume the aircraft will yield.
Come to a complete stop and yield the right-of-way to the aircraft. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Come to a complete stop and yield the right-of-way to the aircraft.

It is a fundamental rule of airside safety that all vehicles must yield the right-of-way to moving aircraft. The vehicle must stop at a safe distance and wait for the aircraft to pass before proceeding.

Question 9: What color are runway edge lights?

Green
Blue
Red
White (Correct answer)

Correct answer: White

Runway edge lights are white along most of the length, changing to yellow in the last 2,000 feet.

Question 10: What does 'wilco' mean in radio phraseology?

Will comply with the instruction (Correct answer)
Waiting for confirmation
Will continue current route
Will call back later

Correct answer: Will comply with the instruction

'Wilco' means 'will comply'—the operator will carry out the instruction.

Question 11: What category of runway incursion represents the most critical level of severity where a collision was narrowly avoided?

Category A (Correct answer)
Category B
Category C
Category D

Correct answer: Category A

A Category A runway incursion is the most severe, involving a situation in which a collision was narrowly avoided.

Question 12: When an aircraft carrying "Distinguished Visitors" arrives at YYC, what are the duties of airport staff and drivers?

Remain clear of the area unless required and authorized to perform a specific duty
Come to a complete STOP and look left and right to ensure that the way is clear
Walking speed (5 km/h or less)
Remain clear of the aircraft and the area unless required and authorized for a specific duty (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Remain clear of the aircraft and the area unless required and authorized for a specific duty

When an aircraft carrying "Distinguished Visitors" arrives at YYC, airport staff and drivers should remain clear of the aircraft and the area unless they are required and authorized for a specific duty related to the arrival or handling of the aircraft. This ensures the smooth and secure handling of the VIP arrival.

Question 13: What is the proper procedure for switching from ground to tower frequency?

Wait 5 minutes
Acknowledge, read back frequency, switch, and contact new controller (Correct answer)
Switch immediately
Ask three times

Correct answer: Acknowledge, read back frequency, switch, and contact new controller

Acknowledge the handoff, read back the frequency, switch, then make initial contact.

Question 14: What does a red sign with runway designations like '27-9' indicate?

Runway distance
Construction marker
Gate number
Runway holding position—must not proceed without ATC clearance (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Runway holding position—must not proceed without ATC clearance

A red mandatory instruction sign showing runway numbers marks a holding position requiring ATC clearance.

Question 15: What does FOD stand for in airport operations?

Federal Operations Division
Fuel Operations Department
Foreign Object Debris (Correct answer)
Flight Operations Director

Correct answer: Foreign Object Debris

FOD is any object on the airfield that could damage aircraft or injure personnel.

Question 16: What is the minimum safe distance from an aircraft under its own power?

10 feet (3 meters)
200 feet (60 meters)
50 feet (15 meters) (Correct answer)
25 feet (7.5 meters)

Correct answer: 50 feet (15 meters)

Maintain at least 50 feet from aircraft under power to avoid jet blast and collision hazards.

Question 17: During low visibility operations (LVO) on the airside, what is a key additional precaution for vehicle operators?

Follow aircraft wingtip lighting to navigate safely around the apron
Reduce speed, use radio communications more frequently, and confirm position before proceeding across any holding point (Correct answer)
Avoid all airside operations until visibility improves above 1 mile
Operate only on vehicle roads and never enter the movement area

Correct answer: Reduce speed, use radio communications more frequently, and confirm position before proceeding across any holding point

Low visibility conditions increase the risk of disorientation and incursions, so operators must slow down, communicate more actively with ATC, and verify their position before crossing any runway holding point.

Question 18: Which of the following is considered FOD that must be reported or removed?

Aircraft tie-down points
Runway lighting fixtures
A loose bolt found on the apron (Correct answer)
Painted runway markings

Correct answer: A loose bolt found on the apron

A loose bolt on the apron is FOD and must be removed or reported immediately because it can be ingested by aircraft engines.

Question 19: What is the correct phraseology when you cannot comply with an ATC instruction?

Unable (Correct answer)
Negative
Stand by
No can do

Correct answer: Unable

'Unable' is standard phraseology for inability to comply, followed by the reason.

Question 20: If a vehicle operator realizes they have inadvertently entered an active runway, what is the immediate action?

Proceed forward to the nearest taxiway exit at maximum speed
Exit the runway as quickly as possible without contacting ATC
Immediately notify ATC of the incursion and follow ATC instructions (Correct answer)
Stop the vehicle in place and activate hazard lights

Correct answer: Immediately notify ATC of the incursion and follow ATC instructions

Immediately notifying ATC allows them to stop any aircraft on approach or departure and direct the vehicle to safety as quickly as possible.

Question 21: Under 14 CFR Part 139, what is the airport operator responsible for?

Maintaining safe conditions including pavement, markings, lighting, and FOD control (Correct answer)
Passenger screening only
Only aircraft maintenance
ATC staffing

Correct answer: Maintaining safe conditions including pavement, markings, lighting, and FOD control

Part 139 requires maintaining all airfield infrastructure and safe operating conditions.

Question 22: What is the purpose of Runway Safety Action Team (RSAT) meetings?

Assign parking
Review budgets
Bring stakeholders together to identify and mitigate runway safety risks (Correct answer)
Plan construction

Correct answer: Bring stakeholders together to identify and mitigate runway safety risks

RSATs gather pilots, controllers, operators, and management to address runway safety concerns.

Question 23: During an airport evacuation, what is the primary responsibility of airside vehicle operators?

Drive to terminal for passengers
Continue normal operations
Follow the evacuation plan, direct traffic from affected areas, and report to staging points (Correct answer)
Leave the airport

Correct answer: Follow the evacuation plan, direct traffic from affected areas, and report to staging points

Follow established procedures, help clear the area, and report to assigned staging points.

Question 24: What does the term "Aircraft Stand Taxilane" mean?

A vehicle route marked with paint that spans an aircraft stand taxilane in the moving area
White lines that serve as sufficient taxiways and are meant to give access to aircraft stands alone
A section of an apron designated as a taxiway, for the purpose of exclusively granting access to aircraft stands (Correct answer)
White lines designating a sufficient space for secure staging "short term parking" spots for vehicles and equipment only

Correct answer: A section of an apron designated as a taxiway, for the purpose of exclusively granting access to aircraft stands

The term "Aircraft Stand Taxilane" refers to a section of an apron designated as a taxiway, specifically for the purpose of exclusively granting access to aircraft stands. These taxilanes provide the route for aircraft to taxi to and from their designated parking positions or stands. So, the correct option from the provided choices is: <br> <br> "A section of an apron designated as a taxiway, for the purpose of exclusively granting access to aircraft stands."

Question 25: What should you do if you witness a bird strike on an aircraft?

Chase remaining birds
Pick up remains immediately
Ignore it
Report location, species, and aircraft involved to operations immediately (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Report location, species, and aircraft involved to operations immediately

Report with as much detail as possible to support wildlife management and safety programs.

Question 26: If an AVOP holder is involved in a vehicle accident on the airside, what is their immediate obligation?

Only report if there is injury to a person
Continue working and file a report at the end of the shift
Stop, secure the scene, and report the incident immediately to airport operations (Correct answer)
Report within 24 hours using the standard incident form

Correct answer: Stop, secure the scene, and report the incident immediately to airport operations

Any airside vehicle accident must be reported immediately to airport operations; delaying or failing to report is a permit violation.

Question 27: What is ATIS?

Airport Intercom
Automatic Terminal Information Service with weather and operational info (Correct answer)
Automatic Toll System
Air Traffic Intelligence

Correct answer: Automatic Terminal Information Service with weather and operational info

ATIS provides continuously updated weather, active runways, and NOTAMs.

Question 28: Which type of wildlife hazard requires the MOST urgent response at an airport?

Pigeons roosting under a parking structure
Rabbits grazing in an infield grass area far from runways
A flock of large birds on or near an active runway (Correct answer)
A single small bird perched on a terminal building

Correct answer: A flock of large birds on or near an active runway

A flock of large birds on or near an active runway poses an immediate and critical risk of bird strikes to landing or departing aircraft and requires the most urgent response.

Question 29: When approaching the boundary between a non-movement area and a movement area, a driver will see a specific pavement marking. How is this boundary delineated?

A red and white checkered line.
Two yellow lines: one solid and one dashed. (Correct answer)
A continuous double solid yellow line.
A single, solid white line.

Correct answer: Two yellow lines: one solid and one dashed.

The non-movement area boundary marking consists of two yellow lines. The solid line is on the non-movement area side, and the dashed line is on the movement area side (the area controlled by ATC). A vehicle must have clearance from ATC before crossing from the non-movement (solid line side) to the movement area (dashed line side).

Question 30: You are driving on an airside vehicle corridor when you see an Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle approaching from behind with its emergency lights and siren activated. Which of the following actions is required?

Safely pull over to the side of the roadway, come to a complete stop, and wait for the vehicle to pass. (Correct answer)
Contact ATC on the radio to ask the ARFF vehicle for its destination.
Increase your speed to stay ahead of the emergency vehicle.
Flash your headlights to acknowledge them and then maintain your course and speed.

Correct answer: Safely pull over to the side of the roadway, come to a complete stop, and wait for the vehicle to pass.

Standard procedure on any road, including airside, is to yield the right-of-way to responding emergency vehicles. This involves pulling over to the side safely and stopping completely to provide a clear path for the emergency response.

Question 31: When communicating with Air Traffic Control (ATC), which of the following is the correct way to state your vehicle identification 'Maintenance 3' and your location 'Taxiway G'?

"Ground Control, this is Maintenance vehicle 3 requesting instructions from Taxiway G."
"Ground, Maintenance 3, Taxiway G." (Correct answer)
"Hey Ground, Maintenance vehicle three here, I'm on the G taxiway."
"This is Maintenance 3 on Taxiway G."

Correct answer: "Ground, Maintenance 3, Taxiway G."

Standard radiotelephony procedure requires you to state the station you are calling (Ground), followed by your call sign (Maintenance 3), and then your location (Taxiway G). This format is clear, concise, and follows established aviation communication protocols.

Question 32: During an aircraft emergency, what should non-emergency vehicles do?

Drive to help
Park and leave
Continue normal operations
Clear the area and follow ATC/operations instructions (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Clear the area and follow ATC/operations instructions

Non-emergency vehicles must clear active surfaces and move to holding areas as directed.

Question 33: What information must a vehicle operator include when initially contacting the tower?

Vehicle make and model
Destination and ETA only
Call sign, location, and request or intention (Correct answer)
Driver's name and AVOP number

Correct answer: Call sign, location, and request or intention

Include your vehicle call sign, current location, and your request.

Question 34: Which of the following is NOT a common way FOD ends up on the airside?

Falling from aircraft or vehicles
Controlled deposition by ground crews (Correct answer)
Generated by normal pavement wear and cracking
Being blown in by wind

Correct answer: Controlled deposition by ground crews

FOD is never intentionally deposited by ground crews; it is unintentionally introduced through equipment, wind, pavement deterioration, or items falling from vehicles or aircraft.

Question 35: What is your responsibility regarding suspicious unattended items found on the airside?

Open to check contents
Do not touch; report location to security immediately (Correct answer)
Ignore and continue
Move to lost and found

Correct answer: Do not touch; report location to security immediately

Never touch suspicious items. Report the exact location and description to airport security.

Question 36: When conducting a vehicle pre-use inspection, what FOD-related check should you perform?

Verify the vehicle's paint is intact
Inspect the vehicle for loose parts, unsecured cargo, or items that could fall off (Correct answer)
Confirm the vehicle ID number matches the permit
Check the vehicle's fuel level only

Correct answer: Inspect the vehicle for loose parts, unsecured cargo, or items that could fall off

Before operating airside, you must inspect your vehicle for any loose parts or unsecured items that could detach and become FOD during operations.

Question 37: When operating a vehicle on an airport apron, which of the following has the absolute right-of-way?

Aircraft being pushed back from a gate (Correct answer)
Emergency vehicles responding to an incident
A catering truck servicing an aircraft
The Airport Operations Manager's vehicle

Correct answer: Aircraft being pushed back from a gate

Aircraft always have the right-of-way over all vehicles and pedestrians on the airside. This includes aircraft under tow or being pushed back. While emergency vehicles have priority over other ground vehicles, they must still yield to aircraft unless directed otherwise by Air Traffic Control.

Question 38: What is the vehicle operator's responsibility regarding aircraft wingtip clearance?

Maintain safe clearance accounting for possible movement and wind effects (Correct answer)
5 feet is always sufficient
Pilot's responsibility only
Only matters during taxiing

Correct answer: Maintain safe clearance accounting for possible movement and wind effects

Maintain safe clearance considering that aircraft may move or wind can cause wingtip flex.

Question 39: Which of the following best describes the pavement markings for a vehicle roadway on the airside?

A series of blue lights embedded in the pavement.
A single solid yellow line indicating the center of the roadway.
Two solid yellow lines delineating the edges of the roadway.
White solid lines for the edges and a dashed white line to separate lanes. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: White solid lines for the edges and a dashed white line to separate lanes.

Vehicle roadway markings consist of a white solid line to delineate each edge of the roadway and a dashed line to separate lanes within the roadway. Sometimes, 'zipper' style white markings may be used for the edges instead of solid lines. Yellow markings are used for taxiways and holding positions.

Question 40: What does a steady red light gun signal directed at a ground vehicle mean?

Exercise extreme caution
Cleared to proceed
Stop and hold position (Correct answer)
Return to starting point

Correct answer: Stop and hold position

Steady red means stop and hold your current position.

Airside Vehicle Operator's Permit (AVOP) Exam

The AVOP exam certifies individuals to operate vehicles on airport airside areas, covering safety procedures, markings, communications, and regulatory compliance.

Questions

45 min

Time Limit

80%

To Pass

Checking for saved progress...

Exam Rules

You can skip questions and return to them later
Flag questions for review before submitting
No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
Timer auto-submits when time runs out
Your progress is auto-saved every 30 seconds

These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

admtl.com — Test delivery, eligibility, time limit, score validity · verified Oct 2026
torontopearson.com — Test delivery, test dates · verified Oct 2026
cdn.torontopearson.com — Eligibility, exam format, passing score, retake policy, score validity · verified Oct 2026
yyc.com — Fees, passing score, renewal, retake policy, score validity · verified Oct 2026