TEA Traffic Enforcement Agent Problem Sensitivity and Judgment 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A parked vehicle has a city employee permit displayed. You believe the permit may be counterfeit. What should you do?
- Ignore it since city permits are self-verifying
- Record the permit details, photograph it, and report it to your supervisor or the appropriate verification unit (Correct answer)
- Issue a citation immediately based on suspicion alone
- Confront the vehicle owner directly about the suspected forgery
Correct answer: Record the permit details, photograph it, and report it to your supervisor or the appropriate verification unit
Suspected counterfeit permits should be documented and reported through proper channels rather than acting unilaterally on suspicion.
Question 2: During heavy rain, you notice a vehicle partially blocking a storm drain. There is no parking violation sign nearby. Should you take action?
- No action, since there is no posted sign prohibiting it
- Yes — blocking a storm drain may violate general municipal codes, and during rain it creates a flood hazard worth reporting (Correct answer)
- Only take action if the drain is fully blocked
- Wait for a supervisor to authorize action
Correct answer: Yes — blocking a storm drain may violate general municipal codes, and during rain it creates a flood hazard worth reporting
General municipal codes often prohibit blocking drains, and environmental context (rain) increases the urgency of the hazard even without a specific sign.
Question 3: A motorist insists their vehicle broke down and they are waiting for a tow truck in a no-parking zone. The breakdown appears genuine. What is the appropriate response?
- Issue a full citation and require immediate removal
- Document the breakdown, issue a warning or reduced sanction if policy allows, and advise the motorist of the time limit before a tow is called (Correct answer)
- Leave without taking any enforcement action since breakdowns are exempt
- Call police to take over and leave the scene
Correct answer: Document the breakdown, issue a warning or reduced sanction if policy allows, and advise the motorist of the time limit before a tow is called
Most jurisdictions provide limited grace for genuine breakdowns; TEAs should document the situation and advise drivers of timelines while keeping the area safe.
Question 4: You are new to a route and are unsure whether a confusing sign combination permits or prohibits parking during a specific time window. What should you do?
- Issue the citation and let the driver appeal if they disagree
- Refrain from issuing a citation until you clarify the sign meaning with a supervisor or your agency's rules (Correct answer)
- Assume the vehicle is in violation and issue a warning
- Photograph the signs and ignore the vehicle for now with no follow-up
Correct answer: Refrain from issuing a citation until you clarify the sign meaning with a supervisor or your agency's rules
Issuing citations based on uncertain sign interpretation can lead to wrongful tickets; clarifying with a supervisor protects both the public and the agency.
Question 5: A vehicle is parked in a spot reserved for veterans with a special plate. You suspect the driver does not appear to be a veteran based on age. What action should you take?
- Issue a citation based on your personal assessment of the driver
- Do not challenge the plate — license plates are issued by the DMV and you have no authority to second-guess them (Correct answer)
- Ask the driver to prove their veteran status on the spot
- Report the plate number as suspicious and do nothing else
Correct answer: Do not challenge the plate — license plates are issued by the DMV and you have no authority to second-guess them
TEAs do not have authority to challenge the validity of state-issued specialty license plates; those determinations are made by motor vehicle agencies.
Question 6: You discover a vehicle has been ticketed three times in the same spot over two days by other agents. The car appears abandoned. What should you do?
- Issue another citation and continue your patrol
- Report the vehicle as potentially abandoned to your supervisor so it can be flagged for towing (Correct answer)
- Remove the old tickets from the windshield to reduce clutter
- Call the owner using the registration information
Correct answer: Report the vehicle as potentially abandoned to your supervisor so it can be flagged for towing
Multiple citations over consecutive days are a strong indicator of an abandoned vehicle, which requires escalation rather than more citations.
Question 7: A cyclist locks their bike to a parking meter post in a way that obstructs pedestrian flow on the sidewalk. You have no specific bike-obstruction ordinance training. What should you do?
- Issue a parking violation since the meter post is involved
- Note the situation, photograph it if possible, and report it to your supervisor for guidance on applicable ordinances (Correct answer)
- Ignore it since bikes are not motor vehicles
- Remove the bike yourself to clear the sidewalk
Correct answer: Note the situation, photograph it if possible, and report it to your supervisor for guidance on applicable ordinances
Without clear authority or training for this specific situation, TEAs should document and escalate rather than act unilaterally.
TEA Traffic Enforcement Agent Problem Sensitivity and Judgment 4
A parked vehicle has a city employee permit displayed.
You believe the permit may be counterfeit.
What should you do?