Certified Transportation Security Administration Driver TSA Driver Eligibility & Certification Requirements 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A TSA certified driver is also a part-time employee at a private trucking company. What must the driver do regarding outside employment?
- No disclosure is required since it is outside federal working hours
- Disclose and obtain approval for outside employment to avoid conflicts of interest (Correct answer)
- Resign from the private position immediately upon TSA certification
- File a financial disclosure form only if annual outside income exceeds $50,000
Correct answer: Disclose and obtain approval for outside employment to avoid conflicts of interest
Federal employees must disclose and typically receive approval for outside employment to ensure no conflict of interest with their federal duties.
Question 2: Under DOT drug testing regulations, which substances are included in the standard 5-panel urine test for TSA safety-sensitive drivers?
- Marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and phencyclidine (PCP) (Correct answer)
- Marijuana, alcohol, steroids, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines
- Cocaine, heroin, LSD, MDMA, and methamphetamine only
- Alcohol, marijuana, opioids, benzodiazepines, and steroids
Correct answer: Marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and phencyclidine (PCP)
The DOT 5-panel test screens for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines (including methamphetamine), opioids, and PCP.
Question 3: Which federal regulation governs hours-of-service limits for TSA drivers operating commercial motor vehicles?
- 49 CFR Part 395 (Correct answer)
- 49 CFR Part 391
- 49 CFR Part 382
- 49 CFR Part 383
Correct answer: 49 CFR Part 395
49 CFR Part 395 contains the FMCSA hours-of-service regulations that limit driving time to prevent fatigue-related crashes.
Question 4: A TSA driver applicant previously held a CDL that was revoked in another state for refusing a breath alcohol test. How does this affect their application?
- The revocation is only visible in the originating state's records and does not affect the new application
- The CDLIS system will flag the revocation and it will be reviewed as a serious disqualifying factor (Correct answer)
- The applicant may reapply after 1 year regardless of the reason for revocation
- Refusal to test is treated the same as a minor moving violation
Correct answer: The CDLIS system will flag the revocation and it will be reviewed as a serious disqualifying factor
CDLIS captures CDL revocations from all states, and refusal to submit to a breath test is treated equivalent to a failed test under federal regulations.
Question 5: What is the maximum allowable blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for a TSA driver operating a commercial motor vehicle while on duty?
- 0.08%
- 0.04% (Correct answer)
- 0.02%
- 0.00%
Correct answer: 0.04%
FMCSA sets the BAC limit for commercial drivers at 0.04%, half the standard 0.08% limit for non-commercial drivers.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the TSA's 'suitability determination' in the hiring process?
- A test of driving skill conducted on a closed course
- An assessment of whether a candidate's character and conduct merit federal employment (Correct answer)
- A financial credit check to assess fiscal responsibility
- A personality inventory used to predict job performance
Correct answer: An assessment of whether a candidate's character and conduct merit federal employment
Suitability determination evaluates a candidate's overall character, honesty, and past conduct to determine fitness for federal employment.
Question 7: If a TSA driver's TSA ID badge is lost or stolen, what is the required immediate action?
- Report the loss to the driver's personal insurance carrier
- Report the loss immediately to the TSA Federal Security Director and request a replacement (Correct answer)
- Wait until the next working day and submit a written memo
- Continue working and notify HR during the next scheduled review
Correct answer: Report the loss immediately to the TSA Federal Security Director and request a replacement
Lost or stolen government credentials must be reported immediately to the Federal Security Director to prevent unauthorized access to secure areas.
Certified Transportation Security Administration Driver TSA Driver Eligibility & Certification Requirements 4
A TSA certified driver is also a part-time employee at a private trucking company.
What must the driver do regarding outside employment?