TEA Traffic Enforcement Written Comprehension 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A policy document states agents must document 'the weather conditions, lighting conditions, and time of day' for all moving violation observations. An agent notes the time and lighting but forgets weather. The report is:
- Complete because weather rarely affects citations
- Incomplete because all three conditions are required (Correct answer)
- Acceptable if the agent adds weather at the end of their shift
- Valid only if it was sunny
Correct answer: Incomplete because all three conditions are required
Policy requires all three conditions; omitting any one makes the report incomplete.
Question 2: An agent reads a sign: 'STREET CLEANING NO PARKING TUE & THUR 8AM-11AM.' Today is Tuesday at 10:45 AM. A vehicle has been parked since 8:00 AM according to the meter receipt on the dashboard. What action is correct?
- No citation — the vehicle will likely leave before 11AM
- Issue a citation for violating street cleaning restrictions (Correct answer)
- Only issue a warning since the restriction ends in 15 minutes
- Confirm with a supervisor before acting
Correct answer: Issue a citation for violating street cleaning restrictions
The vehicle has been parked during the entire restricted period on the correct day, warranting a citation.
Question 3: A department directive states: 'Agents shall not accept gifts, gratuities, or favors from members of the public.' A driver offers a gift card to avoid a citation. The agent should:
- Accept it since no cash changed hands
- Decline and issue the citation as warranted (Correct answer)
- Accept and report it to a supervisor later
- Use discretion based on the value of the gift card
Correct answer: Decline and issue the citation as warranted
The directive prohibits all gifts regardless of form; the agent must decline and proceed with the citation.
Question 4: A field manual states 'double-parking is defined as a vehicle stopped or parked alongside a vehicle already at the curb.' An agent sees a van stopped next to a parked car on a two-lane street. This is:
- Legal if the van's hazard lights are on
- A double-parking violation (Correct answer)
- Only a violation if it blocks traffic for more than 5 minutes
- Allowed for commercial vehicles during business hours
Correct answer: A double-parking violation
The van is stopped alongside a curb-parked vehicle, which meets the manual's definition of double-parking.
Question 5: A procedural notice states agents must radio dispatch before arranging a tow to confirm the vehicle is not reported stolen. An agent skips this step and arranges a tow. The problem is:
- None — towing is always the agent's decision
- The agent failed to follow required procedure, which could cause complications if the car was stolen (Correct answer)
- The agent only needs to radio dispatch if the car has no license plates
- The step is optional during busy enforcement periods
Correct answer: The agent failed to follow required procedure, which could cause complications if the car was stolen
Skipping the required dispatch confirmation could lead to improper handling if the vehicle was already reported stolen.
Question 6: A bulletin defines 'blocking a fire hydrant' as parking within 15 feet of a hydrant on either side. An agent measures 12 feet between a parked vehicle's bumper and the nearest hydrant. The agent should:
- Issue a citation because 12 feet is less than 15 feet (Correct answer)
- Take no action because the vehicle is close but not touching the hydrant
- Warn the driver to move at least 3 more feet away
- Only cite if a fire truck is present and cannot access the hydrant
Correct answer: Issue a citation because 12 feet is less than 15 feet
At 12 feet, the vehicle is within the 15-foot prohibited zone as defined by the bulletin.
Question 7: An agent's daily log requires entries in chronological order with no blank lines between entries. The agent notices a blank line between two entries in their log. The correct action is:
- Leave it as is since it does not affect the content
- Draw a single line through the blank space and initial it (Correct answer)
- Erase the blank line if the log is in pencil
- Submit the log and note the error in a separate memo
Correct answer: Draw a single line through the blank space and initial it
Standard practice for official logs is to draw a line through blank spaces and initial them to prevent unauthorized additions.
TEA Traffic Enforcement Written Comprehension 3
A policy document states agents must document 'the weather conditions, lighting conditions, and time of day' for all moving violation observations.
An agent notes the time and lighting but forgets weather.
The report is: