NYS Tow Truck Endorsement Practice Test
1-7 Spring 2024 with complete solution
Test 1
Question 1:
Before towing a vehicle on a public highway in New York State, what must the driver ensure?
A) That the tow truck is painted yellow
B) That the towed vehicle is properly secured and lights are operational
C) That the driver has a Class A CDL
D) That the tow company has filed paperwork with the DMV
Correct Answer: B
Solution: NYS law requires that all towed vehicles be securely attached and have functioning
lights for visibility and safety. Painting color and Class A CDL are not mandatory for
light/medium towing, and DMV paperwork is not required before every tow.
Question 2:
According to NYS VTL § 375, what is the maximum speed limit for a tow truck towing a vehicle?
A) 55 mph
B) 65 mph
C) 45 mph on highways, 30 mph in urban areas
D) Same as non-towing vehicles
Correct Answer: C
Solution: VTL § 375(36) limits tow trucks to 45 mph on highways and 30 mph in cities to ensure
stability and reduce accident risk. 55/65 mph (A, B) standard. Same (D) false for towing.
Question 3:
When performing a pre-tow safety check, which item is most critical for the tow truck's winch?
A) Clean cables
B) Load capacity rating visible
C) Remote control battery
D) Synthetic rope color
Correct Answer: B
,Solution: The winch must have visible load rating (B) to prevent overload per OSHA 1910.179
and NYS towing standards. Clean cables (A) maintenance. Battery (C) operational. Color (D)
irrelevant.
Question 4:
In NYS, what is required for towing a vehicle with a flat tire?
A) Use of a spare tire
B) Dolly or car carrier
C) Drive slowly without dolly
D) Patch on-site
Correct Answer: B
Solution: VTL § 375 requires dolly/carrier (B) for flat tires to avoid rim damage and unsafe road
contact. Spare (A) not always available. Slow drive (C) illegal. Patch (D) temporary.
Question 5:
Hazard recognition during recovery: What indicates potential rollover risk?
A) Low center of gravity
B) High ground clearance
C) Uneven terrain with slope >15 degrees
D) Dry pavement
Correct Answer: C
Solution: Slopes >15 degrees (C) increase rollover per NFPA 1006. Low CG (A) stable. High
clearance (B) off-road. Dry (D) less slippery.
Question 6:
Emergency protocol for a towed vehicle fire:
A) Unhook immediately and extinguish
B) Drive to station
C) Cover with tarp
D) Ignore if small
Correct Answer: A
Solution: NYS fire code and OSHA require immediate unhooking/extinguishing (A) to prevent
spread. Drive (B) dangerous. Tarp (C) traps heat. Ignore (D) negligent.
Question 7:
NYS regulation for tow truck lighting:
A) Amber flashing lights on rear
,B) Red only
C) No lights required
D) Blue dome
Correct Answer: A
Solution: VTL § 375(41) mandates amber rear flashers (A) for visibility. Red (B) emergency. No
(C) false. Blue (D) police.
Question 8:
Safe procedure for winching a stuck vehicle:
A) Approach from downhill, use spotter
B) Pull from front always
C) Solo operation
D) High speed winch
Correct Answer: A
Solution: NFPA recommends downhill approach/spotter (A) for control. Front (B) unstable. Solo
(C) unsafe. High speed (D) snaps cable.
Question 9:
Customer safety during tow:
A) Explain process, keep clear of cables
B) Sit in towed vehicle
C) Handle equipment
D) Stand behind truck
Correct Answer: A
Solution: Industry standard (A) prevents injury. Sit (B) no. Handle (C) liability. Behind (D) crush
zone.
Question 10:
Vehicle recovery technique for ditch pull:
A) Use snatch block for angle
B) Direct pull
C) Lift first
D) Push out
Correct Answer: A
, Solution: Snatch block (A) multiplies force/reduces strain per towing manual. Direct (B) risks
snap. Lift (C) heavy equipment. Push (D) not recovery.
Question 11:
NYS VTL § 401 for tow trucks:
A) Registration and insurance required
B) No plate needed
C) Optional insurance
D) Annual only
Correct Answer: A
Solution: § 401 mandates registration/insurance (A) for operation. Plate (B) false. Insurance
required (C) false.
Question 12:
Pre-trip inspection includes:
A) Brake function, tire pressure
B) Fuel only
C) Lights off
D) No check
Correct Answer: A
Solution: DVIR (A) safety per FMCSA/NYS. Fuel (B) partial. Lights (C) test on. Check required
(D) false.
Question 13:
Accident prevention: Minimum following distance for tow truck?
A) 4 seconds
B) 1 second
C) 10 seconds
D) Same as car
Correct Answer: A
Solution: Extra length requires 4-sec (A) rule for stopping. 1-sec (B) standard car. 10 (C)
excessive.
Question 14:
For battery jump-start:
A) Connect positive first, then negative to ground
B) Negative first
1-7 Spring 2024 with complete solution
Test 1
Question 1:
Before towing a vehicle on a public highway in New York State, what must the driver ensure?
A) That the tow truck is painted yellow
B) That the towed vehicle is properly secured and lights are operational
C) That the driver has a Class A CDL
D) That the tow company has filed paperwork with the DMV
Correct Answer: B
Solution: NYS law requires that all towed vehicles be securely attached and have functioning
lights for visibility and safety. Painting color and Class A CDL are not mandatory for
light/medium towing, and DMV paperwork is not required before every tow.
Question 2:
According to NYS VTL § 375, what is the maximum speed limit for a tow truck towing a vehicle?
A) 55 mph
B) 65 mph
C) 45 mph on highways, 30 mph in urban areas
D) Same as non-towing vehicles
Correct Answer: C
Solution: VTL § 375(36) limits tow trucks to 45 mph on highways and 30 mph in cities to ensure
stability and reduce accident risk. 55/65 mph (A, B) standard. Same (D) false for towing.
Question 3:
When performing a pre-tow safety check, which item is most critical for the tow truck's winch?
A) Clean cables
B) Load capacity rating visible
C) Remote control battery
D) Synthetic rope color
Correct Answer: B
,Solution: The winch must have visible load rating (B) to prevent overload per OSHA 1910.179
and NYS towing standards. Clean cables (A) maintenance. Battery (C) operational. Color (D)
irrelevant.
Question 4:
In NYS, what is required for towing a vehicle with a flat tire?
A) Use of a spare tire
B) Dolly or car carrier
C) Drive slowly without dolly
D) Patch on-site
Correct Answer: B
Solution: VTL § 375 requires dolly/carrier (B) for flat tires to avoid rim damage and unsafe road
contact. Spare (A) not always available. Slow drive (C) illegal. Patch (D) temporary.
Question 5:
Hazard recognition during recovery: What indicates potential rollover risk?
A) Low center of gravity
B) High ground clearance
C) Uneven terrain with slope >15 degrees
D) Dry pavement
Correct Answer: C
Solution: Slopes >15 degrees (C) increase rollover per NFPA 1006. Low CG (A) stable. High
clearance (B) off-road. Dry (D) less slippery.
Question 6:
Emergency protocol for a towed vehicle fire:
A) Unhook immediately and extinguish
B) Drive to station
C) Cover with tarp
D) Ignore if small
Correct Answer: A
Solution: NYS fire code and OSHA require immediate unhooking/extinguishing (A) to prevent
spread. Drive (B) dangerous. Tarp (C) traps heat. Ignore (D) negligent.
Question 7:
NYS regulation for tow truck lighting:
A) Amber flashing lights on rear
,B) Red only
C) No lights required
D) Blue dome
Correct Answer: A
Solution: VTL § 375(41) mandates amber rear flashers (A) for visibility. Red (B) emergency. No
(C) false. Blue (D) police.
Question 8:
Safe procedure for winching a stuck vehicle:
A) Approach from downhill, use spotter
B) Pull from front always
C) Solo operation
D) High speed winch
Correct Answer: A
Solution: NFPA recommends downhill approach/spotter (A) for control. Front (B) unstable. Solo
(C) unsafe. High speed (D) snaps cable.
Question 9:
Customer safety during tow:
A) Explain process, keep clear of cables
B) Sit in towed vehicle
C) Handle equipment
D) Stand behind truck
Correct Answer: A
Solution: Industry standard (A) prevents injury. Sit (B) no. Handle (C) liability. Behind (D) crush
zone.
Question 10:
Vehicle recovery technique for ditch pull:
A) Use snatch block for angle
B) Direct pull
C) Lift first
D) Push out
Correct Answer: A
, Solution: Snatch block (A) multiplies force/reduces strain per towing manual. Direct (B) risks
snap. Lift (C) heavy equipment. Push (D) not recovery.
Question 11:
NYS VTL § 401 for tow trucks:
A) Registration and insurance required
B) No plate needed
C) Optional insurance
D) Annual only
Correct Answer: A
Solution: § 401 mandates registration/insurance (A) for operation. Plate (B) false. Insurance
required (C) false.
Question 12:
Pre-trip inspection includes:
A) Brake function, tire pressure
B) Fuel only
C) Lights off
D) No check
Correct Answer: A
Solution: DVIR (A) safety per FMCSA/NYS. Fuel (B) partial. Lights (C) test on. Check required
(D) false.
Question 13:
Accident prevention: Minimum following distance for tow truck?
A) 4 seconds
B) 1 second
C) 10 seconds
D) Same as car
Correct Answer: A
Solution: Extra length requires 4-sec (A) rule for stopping. 1-sec (B) standard car. 10 (C)
excessive.
Question 14:
For battery jump-start:
A) Connect positive first, then negative to ground
B) Negative first
