2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS DOWNLOAD
TCOLE Traffic Exam 2025/2026 Master Study Guide – 350
Comprehensive Questions & Answers
This massive 350-question test bank covers the Texas Transportation Code, DWI enforcement,
and the latest 2025/2026 legislative updates, including the transition to metal dealer plates.
Students will find bolded answers and legal rationales for every topic, ranging from rules of the
road to advanced accident investigation and skid mark calculations. It serves as the ultimate
prep resource for cadets and officers requiring a deep understanding of Texas traffic law for the
state licensing exam.
1. Effective July 1, 2025, what major change occurred regarding vehicle registration for
cars sold by Texas dealers?
A. All temporary tags are now valid for 90 days.
B. Dealers must issue permanent metal license plates at the time of sale.
C. Paper tags are now watermarked for security.
D. Dealers no longer handle registration.
Answer: B. Dealers must issue permanent metal license plates at the time of sale.
Rationale: HB 718 (2023) went into effect July 1, 2025, completely eliminating the use of paper
temporary "buyer" tags to combat widespread fraud.
2. As of January 1, 2025, which of the following is true regarding non-commercial vehicle
safety inspections in Texas?
A. They are now required every six months.
B. The annual safety inspection has been eliminated for most non-commercial vehicles.
C. Inspections are only required for vehicles older than 20 years.
D. Inspections are now done by police officers during traffic stops.
Answer: B. The annual safety inspection has been eliminated for most non-commercial
vehicles.
Rationale: HB 3297 (2023) abolished the safety inspection requirement for non-commercial
vehicles, though a $7.50 fee is still collected at registration.
3. "Daytime" is defined in the Transportation Code as the period beginning one-half hour
before sunrise and ending:
, 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS DOWNLOAD
A. At sunset.
B. One-half hour after sunset.
C. When visibility is less than 1,000 feet.
D. At 8:00 PM.
Answer: B. One-half hour after sunset.
Rationale: TC 541.401 defines the daytime window as 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes
after sunset.
4. An operator may not park a vehicle within how many feet of a fire hydrant?
A. 10 feet
B. 15 feet
C. 20 feet
D. 30 feet
Answer: B. 15 feet
Rationale: TC 545.302 prohibits standing or parking a vehicle within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
5. What is the prima facie speed limit in an urban district, unless otherwise posted?
A. 15 mph
B. 25 mph
C. 30 mph
D. 35 mph
Answer: C. 30 mph
Rationale: TC 545.352 sets the default speed limit in an urban district at 30 mph.
6. A "Bus" is defined as a motor vehicle used to transport persons and designed to
accommodate more than ______ passengers, including the operator.
A. 10
B. 12
C. 15
D. 24
Answer: A. 10
Rationale: TC 541.201 defines a bus as any vehicle designed to transport more than 10
passengers.
7. An operator signaling an intention to turn shall signal continuously for not less than
the last ______ feet traveled before turning.
A. 50 feet
B. 100 feet
C. 200 feet
D. 300 feet
Answer: B. 100 feet
Rationale: TC 545.104 requires a continuous signal for at least 100 feet before the turn.
, 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS DOWNLOAD
8. Which of the following is NOT an "Authorized Emergency Vehicle" under the
Transportation Code?
A. A police vehicle.
B. A private vehicle of a volunteer firefighter responding to a fire alarm.
C. A blood bank vehicle on an emergency delivery.
D. A public service corporation vehicle designated by the department.
Answer: C. A blood bank vehicle on an emergency delivery.
Rationale: TC 541.201 lists specific emergency vehicles; a private blood bank vehicle does not
qualify unless it is a designated public service vehicle.
9. A "Passenger Car" is defined as a motor vehicle (other than a motorcycle) designed to
transport how many passengers?
A. 10 or fewer
B. 15 or fewer
C. 2 or fewer
D. 5 or fewer
Answer: A. 10 or fewer
Rationale: TC 541.201 distinguishes a passenger car from a bus by the 10-passenger limit.
10. An operator may not park within ______ feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
A. 15 feet
B. 20 feet
C. 30 feet
D. 50 feet
Answer: B. 20 feet
Rationale: TC 545.302 prohibits parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
11. "Nighttime" is defined as the period beginning one-half hour after sunset and
ending:
A. One-half hour before sunrise.
B. At sunrise.
C. At midnight.
D. At 6:00 AM.
Answer: A. One-half hour before sunrise.
Rationale: TC 541.401 defines nighttime as the period from 30 minutes after sunset to 30
minutes before sunrise.
12. A turn signal lamp must be visible in normal sunlight at a distance of at least:
A. 100 feet
B. 200 feet
C. 300 feet
D. 500 feet
, 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS DOWNLOAD
Answer: C. 300 feet
Rationale: TC 547.324 requires turn signal lamps to be visible from 300 feet in normal sunlight.
13. An operator may not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger, stand
or park a vehicle within ______ feet of a flashing signal, stop sign, or yield sign.
A. 15 feet
B. 20 feet
C. 30 feet
D. 50 feet
Answer: C. 30 feet
Rationale: TC 545.302 sets the 30-foot limit for approach to traffic control signals.
14. A "Motorcycle" is defined as a motor vehicle that has a rider's saddle and is
designed to have not more than ______ wheels on the ground.
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 2 or 3
Answer: B. 3
Rationale: TC 541.201 defines a motorcycle by the "not more than 3 wheels" standard (this
includes trikes).
15. An operator may not drive to the left side of the roadway when approaching within
100 feet of:
A. An intersection or railroad crossing.
B. A bridge, viaduct, or tunnel.
C. Both A and B.
D. A school zone only.
Answer: C. Both A and B.
Rationale: TC 545.056 prohibits left-side driving within 100 feet of intersections, crossings, or
bridges.
16. What is the prima facie speed limit in an alley?
A. 10 mph
B. 15 mph
C. 20 mph
D. 25 mph
Answer: B. 15 mph
Rationale: TC 545.352 sets the default alley speed limit at 15 mph.
17. Every reflector on a vehicle shall be visible at night from all distances within ______
to ______ feet when in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps.
A. 50 to 100 feet
TCOLE Traffic Exam 2025/2026 Master Study Guide – 350
Comprehensive Questions & Answers
This massive 350-question test bank covers the Texas Transportation Code, DWI enforcement,
and the latest 2025/2026 legislative updates, including the transition to metal dealer plates.
Students will find bolded answers and legal rationales for every topic, ranging from rules of the
road to advanced accident investigation and skid mark calculations. It serves as the ultimate
prep resource for cadets and officers requiring a deep understanding of Texas traffic law for the
state licensing exam.
1. Effective July 1, 2025, what major change occurred regarding vehicle registration for
cars sold by Texas dealers?
A. All temporary tags are now valid for 90 days.
B. Dealers must issue permanent metal license plates at the time of sale.
C. Paper tags are now watermarked for security.
D. Dealers no longer handle registration.
Answer: B. Dealers must issue permanent metal license plates at the time of sale.
Rationale: HB 718 (2023) went into effect July 1, 2025, completely eliminating the use of paper
temporary "buyer" tags to combat widespread fraud.
2. As of January 1, 2025, which of the following is true regarding non-commercial vehicle
safety inspections in Texas?
A. They are now required every six months.
B. The annual safety inspection has been eliminated for most non-commercial vehicles.
C. Inspections are only required for vehicles older than 20 years.
D. Inspections are now done by police officers during traffic stops.
Answer: B. The annual safety inspection has been eliminated for most non-commercial
vehicles.
Rationale: HB 3297 (2023) abolished the safety inspection requirement for non-commercial
vehicles, though a $7.50 fee is still collected at registration.
3. "Daytime" is defined in the Transportation Code as the period beginning one-half hour
before sunrise and ending:
, 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS DOWNLOAD
A. At sunset.
B. One-half hour after sunset.
C. When visibility is less than 1,000 feet.
D. At 8:00 PM.
Answer: B. One-half hour after sunset.
Rationale: TC 541.401 defines the daytime window as 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes
after sunset.
4. An operator may not park a vehicle within how many feet of a fire hydrant?
A. 10 feet
B. 15 feet
C. 20 feet
D. 30 feet
Answer: B. 15 feet
Rationale: TC 545.302 prohibits standing or parking a vehicle within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
5. What is the prima facie speed limit in an urban district, unless otherwise posted?
A. 15 mph
B. 25 mph
C. 30 mph
D. 35 mph
Answer: C. 30 mph
Rationale: TC 545.352 sets the default speed limit in an urban district at 30 mph.
6. A "Bus" is defined as a motor vehicle used to transport persons and designed to
accommodate more than ______ passengers, including the operator.
A. 10
B. 12
C. 15
D. 24
Answer: A. 10
Rationale: TC 541.201 defines a bus as any vehicle designed to transport more than 10
passengers.
7. An operator signaling an intention to turn shall signal continuously for not less than
the last ______ feet traveled before turning.
A. 50 feet
B. 100 feet
C. 200 feet
D. 300 feet
Answer: B. 100 feet
Rationale: TC 545.104 requires a continuous signal for at least 100 feet before the turn.
, 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS DOWNLOAD
8. Which of the following is NOT an "Authorized Emergency Vehicle" under the
Transportation Code?
A. A police vehicle.
B. A private vehicle of a volunteer firefighter responding to a fire alarm.
C. A blood bank vehicle on an emergency delivery.
D. A public service corporation vehicle designated by the department.
Answer: C. A blood bank vehicle on an emergency delivery.
Rationale: TC 541.201 lists specific emergency vehicles; a private blood bank vehicle does not
qualify unless it is a designated public service vehicle.
9. A "Passenger Car" is defined as a motor vehicle (other than a motorcycle) designed to
transport how many passengers?
A. 10 or fewer
B. 15 or fewer
C. 2 or fewer
D. 5 or fewer
Answer: A. 10 or fewer
Rationale: TC 541.201 distinguishes a passenger car from a bus by the 10-passenger limit.
10. An operator may not park within ______ feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
A. 15 feet
B. 20 feet
C. 30 feet
D. 50 feet
Answer: B. 20 feet
Rationale: TC 545.302 prohibits parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
11. "Nighttime" is defined as the period beginning one-half hour after sunset and
ending:
A. One-half hour before sunrise.
B. At sunrise.
C. At midnight.
D. At 6:00 AM.
Answer: A. One-half hour before sunrise.
Rationale: TC 541.401 defines nighttime as the period from 30 minutes after sunset to 30
minutes before sunrise.
12. A turn signal lamp must be visible in normal sunlight at a distance of at least:
A. 100 feet
B. 200 feet
C. 300 feet
D. 500 feet
, 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS DOWNLOAD
Answer: C. 300 feet
Rationale: TC 547.324 requires turn signal lamps to be visible from 300 feet in normal sunlight.
13. An operator may not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger, stand
or park a vehicle within ______ feet of a flashing signal, stop sign, or yield sign.
A. 15 feet
B. 20 feet
C. 30 feet
D. 50 feet
Answer: C. 30 feet
Rationale: TC 545.302 sets the 30-foot limit for approach to traffic control signals.
14. A "Motorcycle" is defined as a motor vehicle that has a rider's saddle and is
designed to have not more than ______ wheels on the ground.
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 2 or 3
Answer: B. 3
Rationale: TC 541.201 defines a motorcycle by the "not more than 3 wheels" standard (this
includes trikes).
15. An operator may not drive to the left side of the roadway when approaching within
100 feet of:
A. An intersection or railroad crossing.
B. A bridge, viaduct, or tunnel.
C. Both A and B.
D. A school zone only.
Answer: C. Both A and B.
Rationale: TC 545.056 prohibits left-side driving within 100 feet of intersections, crossings, or
bridges.
16. What is the prima facie speed limit in an alley?
A. 10 mph
B. 15 mph
C. 20 mph
D. 25 mph
Answer: B. 15 mph
Rationale: TC 545.352 sets the default alley speed limit at 15 mph.
17. Every reflector on a vehicle shall be visible at night from all distances within ______
to ______ feet when in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps.
A. 50 to 100 feet
