TCOLE Traffic Law and Enforcement 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Texas Transportation Code, a driver must signal a turn or lane change for at least how many feet before the maneuver?
- 50 feet
- 100 feet (Correct answer)
- 200 feet
- 300 feet
Correct answer: 100 feet
Texas Transportation Code §545.104 requires a continuous turn signal for at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes.
Question 2: Which of the following is NOT a valid exception to the Texas law requiring seat belt use?
- A postal carrier making frequent stops while delivering mail
- A licensed physician-ordered medical exemption
- A driver operating a vehicle in reverse (Correct answer)
- A passenger riding in a vehicle manufactured before 1968
Correct answer: A driver operating a vehicle in reverse
Operating in reverse is not a recognized exception; seat belt requirements apply regardless of direction of travel under Texas Transportation Code §545.413.
Question 3: Under Texas law, the maximum speed limit on a numbered highway outside an urban district is:
- 55 mph unless posted otherwise
- 60 mph unless posted otherwise
- 65 mph unless posted otherwise (Correct answer)
- 70 mph unless posted otherwise
Correct answer: 65 mph unless posted otherwise
Texas Transportation Code §545.352 establishes a prima facie limit of 65 mph on numbered highways outside urban districts unless a different limit is posted.
Question 4: A driver is cited for passing a school bus with flashing red lights. Under Texas law, the fine for a first offense is up to:
- $500
- $1,000
- $1,250 (Correct answer)
- $2,000
Correct answer: $1,250
Texas Transportation Code §545.066(c) sets the fine for a first offense of passing a stopped school bus at $500 to $1,250.
Question 5: When investigating a traffic crash, a Texas officer is required to submit a written crash report to TxDOT when the crash results in:
- Any property damage, regardless of amount
- Injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more (Correct answer)
- Death only
- Property damage exceeding $5,000
Correct answer: Injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more
Texas Transportation Code §550.062 mandates officer crash reports for crashes involving injury, death, or apparent property damage of $1,000 or more.
Question 6: Under Texas law, which lane must a motorist use when traveling on a roadway with three or more lanes moving in the same direction at a speed slower than other traffic?
- The left lane only
- The center lane
- The right lane (Correct answer)
- Any lane is permissible
Correct answer: The right lane
Texas Transportation Code §545.051 requires slower-moving traffic to use the right lane on multi-lane roadways.
Question 7: A Texas peace officer may arrest a person for DWI without a warrant if the officer:
- Has only a citizen's complaint of erratic driving
- Has reasonable suspicion but not probable cause
- Has probable cause to believe the offense was committed, even outside the officer's presence (Correct answer)
- Must obtain a warrant unless the accident involved injury
Correct answer: Has probable cause to believe the offense was committed, even outside the officer's presence
Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 14.03, an officer may arrest for DWI without a warrant based on probable cause even if the offense was not committed in the officer's presence.
TCOLE Traffic Law and Enforcement 3
Under Texas Transportation Code, a driver must signal a turn or lane change for at least how many feet before the maneuver?