NYC Vehicle Operation and Maintenance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a DSNY operator backs a collection truck into a narrow alley, what does DSNY policy require in addition to using mirrors?
- A designated spotter / guide person on the ground (Correct answer)
- Only the driver's judgment is needed
- A second driver in a separate vehicle
- A written work order from a supervisor
Correct answer: A designated spotter / guide person on the ground
A ground guide (spotter) is required for backing in areas with limited visibility to prevent collisions and pedestrian strikes.
Question 2: What NYC DSNY protocol governs what to do when a collection truck experiences a tire blowout while on route?
- Continue to the next stop at reduced speed
- Safely pull the vehicle to the side, secure it, and notify dispatch for assistance (Correct answer)
- Attempt to change the tire on a live lane of traffic
- Drive to the nearest gas station
Correct answer: Safely pull the vehicle to the side, secure it, and notify dispatch for assistance
A tire blowout on a heavy vehicle requires immediate controlled stop, securing the vehicle, and calling dispatch — roadside tire changes on live streets are dangerous.
Question 3: Which DSNY maintenance schedule item requires a collection truck to be taken to the district garage for a full preventive maintenance inspection?
- Every 25,000 miles or per manufacturer's PM interval (Correct answer)
- Only when a problem is reported by the crew
- After every route
- Once every three years
Correct answer: Every 25,000 miles or per manufacturer's PM interval
DSNY follows scheduled preventive maintenance intervals based on mileage or manufacturer specifications to catch issues before failure.
Question 4: What is the correct procedure for fueling a DSNY collection truck at a district facility?
- Use any fuel pump without logging the transaction
- Log the vehicle ID, mileage, and fuel quantity as required by fleet management records (Correct answer)
- Have any employee fill the tank informally
- Fueling is done only by mechanics, never by operators
Correct answer: Log the vehicle ID, mileage, and fuel quantity as required by fleet management records
Fuel transactions must be logged to track fleet costs, detect anomalies, and maintain accurate vehicle records.
Question 5: Under NYC regulations, what must a DSNY driver do when their vehicle is involved in a collision, no matter how minor?
- Leave the scene if damage is minor and no one is hurt
- Exchange information, secure the scene, and immediately notify DSNY dispatch and submit a written report (Correct answer)
- Handle it privately with the other party
- Wait for the other driver to report it
Correct answer: Exchange information, secure the scene, and immediately notify DSNY dispatch and submit a written report
All collisions involving DSNY vehicles must be reported to dispatch immediately and followed up with a written incident report regardless of severity.
Question 6: When operating a rear-loader collection truck, what is the danger of activating the packer blade while a worker is inside the hopper area?
- It wastes hydraulic fluid
- The worker can be crushed or severely injured by the compacting blade (Correct answer)
- It causes the engine to overstall
- It triggers an automatic safety alarm only
Correct answer: The worker can be crushed or severely injured by the compacting blade
The packer blade exerts thousands of pounds of force and will crush anyone inside the hopper — this is one of the leading causes of fatal sanitation worker injuries.
NYC Vehicle Operation and Maintenance 2
When a DSNY operator backs a collection truck into a narrow alley, what does DSNY policy require in addition to using mirrors?