TCOLE Traffic Laws and Enforcement Questions and Answers

Question 1

According to the Texas Transportation Code, what is the prima facie maximum speed limit for a passenger car on a street in an urban district, if no other speed limit is posted?

Accepted Answer

30 miles per hour

Answer

Texas Transportation Code §545.352(b)(1) establishes that the prima facie maximum speed limit is 30 miles per hour in an urban district on a street other than an alley.

Question 2

An officer stops a vehicle and observes a 7-year-old child in the back seat who is 4 feet, 7 inches tall. The child is secured only by a standard adult lap and shoulder belt. According to the Texas Transportation Code, which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

An offense has been committed because the child is younger than 8 years old AND less than 4 feet, 9 inches tall.

Answer

Texas Transportation Code §545.412 requires that a child younger than 8 years of age must be secured in a child passenger safety seat system unless the child is at least 4 feet, 9 inches in height. Since the child is both under 8 and shorter than 4'9", the driver has committed an offense.

Question 3

Under the Texas "Move Over/Slow Down" law, which of the following actions is required of a driver on a multi-lane highway when approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle on the roadside with its lights activated?

Accepted Answer

Vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle if possible; or slow to 20 mph below the posted speed limit.

Answer

Texas Transportation Code §545.157 requires a driver to either vacate the lane closest to the stationary emergency vehicle or, if moving over is not possible or prudent, to slow down to a speed not to exceed 20 mph less than the posted speed limit (or 5 mph if the speed limit is 25 mph or less).

Question 4

A peace officer lawfully detains a driver for a traffic violation. The driver verbally provides their correct name and date of birth but refuses to produce their physical driver's license for the officer to inspect. Which offense, if any, has the driver committed?

Accepted Answer

Violation of Driver's License Law (Failure to Display License)

Answer

Under Texas Transportation Code §521.025, a person who operates a motor vehicle must display their driver's license upon the demand of a peace officer. Refusing to do so is an offense under this section. Failure to Identify (PC §38.02) applies when a person is under arrest and refuses to give information, or when they give false information while detained or arrested.

Question 5

Under which of the following circumstances is a Texas peace officer authorized to make a custodial arrest for a routine traffic violation that is punishable by fine only?

Accepted Answer

The driver refuses to sign the written promise to appear on the citation.

Answer

Texas Transportation Code §543.004 allows a peace officer to take a person before a magistrate (arrest) for a fine-only traffic offense if the person refuses to make a written promise to appear in court, which is accomplished by signing the citation.

TCOLE - Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Practice Test

TCOLE - Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Practice Test

TCOLE Traffic Laws and Enforcement Questions and Answers