TEA Traffic Enforcement Agent Written Comprehension 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A written instruction reads: 'Do not issue summonses to vehicles involved in active accidents until police clear the scene.' A car with front-end damage is blocking a hydrant while police are present. What should the TEA do?
- Issue a summons immediately since the hydrant must stay clear
- Wait for police to clear the scene before issuing any summons per written procedure (Correct answer)
- Ask the police officer for permission to issue a summons
- Have the vehicle towed around the police investigation
Correct answer: Wait for police to clear the scene before issuing any summons per written procedure
Written procedure requires waiting for police clearance before issuing summonses at active accident scenes.
Question 2: A sign reads: 'METERED PARKING — MAX 2 HOURS.' A paid meter shows 30 minutes remaining, but the TEA's records show the same vehicle has been parked for 2 hours and 45 minutes. Should a summons be issued?
- No, because the meter still shows paid time remaining
- Yes, because the vehicle has exceeded the 2-hour maximum stay regardless of meter payment (Correct answer)
- No, because the driver paid for the time shown
- Yes, but only if the TEA observed the vehicle for the full 2 hours and 45 minutes
Correct answer: Yes, because the vehicle has exceeded the 2-hour maximum stay regardless of meter payment
Maximum time limits restrict how long a vehicle may remain in a space regardless of continued meter payment.
Question 3: A TEA reads a passage: 'When in doubt about whether a violation exists, agents should consult the relevant regulation before issuing a summons.' An agent is unsure if a vehicle qualifies for an exemption. What is the best action?
- Issue the summons and let the court decide
- Consult the regulation or contact a supervisor before issuing (Correct answer)
- Skip the situation to avoid errors
- Issue a warning instead of a summons
Correct answer: Consult the regulation or contact a supervisor before issuing
The written guidance specifically directs agents to consult regulations when uncertain, rather than guessing or defaulting to issuing.
Question 4: A written policy states: 'Agents must complete their field activity report before the end of each shift.' An agent runs out of time and plans to complete it at the start of the next shift. This is:
- Acceptable if no incidents occurred during the shift
- A violation of the shift-end reporting requirement (Correct answer)
- Permitted if the supervisor is notified
- Acceptable as long as the report is completed within 24 hours
Correct answer: A violation of the shift-end reporting requirement
The policy sets a clear deadline of end-of-shift, and completing it afterward violates that requirement.
Question 5: A regulation states: 'Blocking a crosswalk is defined as any part of the vehicle extending into the crosswalk area.' A vehicle's rear bumper extends six inches into a crosswalk. Is this a violation?
- No, because six inches is not significant
- Yes, because any part of the vehicle in the crosswalk constitutes a violation (Correct answer)
- No, because the driver may not have noticed the crosswalk lines
- Yes, but only if pedestrians were obstructed
Correct answer: Yes, because any part of the vehicle in the crosswalk constitutes a violation
The definition states 'any part' extending into the crosswalk is a violation, making the six-inch overhang a clear violation.
Question 6: A memo instructs: 'Agents must check their summons book inventory at the start and end of every shift.' An agent checks only at the start of the shift and forgets the end-of-shift check. This agent has:
- Fully complied, since the start check is the more important one
- Partially complied but violated the requirement for an end-of-shift inventory check (Correct answer)
- Fully complied if the book count matches at start of next shift
- Not violated any policy since both checks contain the same information
Correct answer: Partially complied but violated the requirement for an end-of-shift inventory check
The memo requires both a start-of-shift and end-of-shift check; missing either one is a failure to comply.
Question 7: A passage in a TEA manual reads: 'Agents are responsible for knowing and applying all posted signs within their assigned patrol area.' An agent claims unfamiliarity with a sign's meaning as a reason for not issuing a summons. This defense is:
- Valid, because agents cannot know every sign
- Not valid, because agents are required to know and apply all posted signs in their area (Correct answer)
- Valid only if the sign was recently changed
- Valid if the agent has been on the job less than six months
Correct answer: Not valid, because agents are required to know and apply all posted signs in their area
The manual assigns explicit responsibility for knowing all posted signs, making unfamiliarity an unacceptable excuse.
TEA Traffic Enforcement Agent Written Comprehension 5
A written instruction reads: 'Do not issue summonses to vehicles involved in active accidents until police clear the scene.' A car with front-end damage is blocking a hydrant while police are present.
What should the TEA do?