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Texas Commercial Vehicle Inspector Exam,
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR
Texas Commercial Vehicle Inspector Exam, based on official Texas DPS materials, the Texas
Administrative Code, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), and Commercial Vehicle Safety
Alliance (CVSA) standards.
POINT-FORM SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE
• Texas DPS Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program rules and inspector certification
requirements
• Legal definitions of a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) by weight and passenger capacity
• FMCSR Parts 393 (equipment), 395 (hours of service), and 396 (inspection/maintenance)
• CVSA North American Standard Inspection Levels I through VIII
• Out-of-service criteria for critical defects
• Air brake system components and inspection (service, parking, air leaks)
• Steering system inspection (gear box, linkage, pitman arm, tie rods)
• Suspension systems (springs, U-bolts, air suspension, torque arms)
• Tire and wheel inspection (tread depth, condition, lug nuts, rims)
• Frame and chassis integrity (cracks, corrosion, crossmembers)
• Coupling devices (fifth wheel, kingpin, pintle hooks, safety chains)
• Lighting systems (headlamps, stop lamps, turn signals, clearance/marker lamps)
• Fuel and exhaust system safety (leaks, securement, exhaust routing)
• Hazardous materials classification and placarding requirements
• Inspector training, testing, and certification process (TAC Title 37, Chapter 23)
• Vehicle Inspection Connection (VIC) system documentation
• Practical inspection skills and defect identification
1. A vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 28,000 pounds arrives for inspection. Why is
understanding the GVWR critical for a Texas commercial vehicle inspector?
A) It determines the color of the inspection sticker
B) It helps determine if commercial inspection requirements apply to this vehicle
C) It identifies the driver's medical certificate expiration date
D) It determines the vehicle’s fuel economy rating
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Answer: B
Rationale: GVWR is the primary threshold used to classify a vehicle as a commercial motor vehicle,
which determines which inspection standards apply .
2. Under FMCSR Part 396, what is the primary purpose of requiring periodic inspection, repair, and
maintenance of commercial vehicles?
A) To improve the resale value of fleet vehicles
B) To ensure vehicles remain in safe operating condition for highway use
C) To reduce the frequency of oil changes
D) To increase the maximum cargo weight allowance
Answer: B
Rationale: Part 396 establishes inspection and maintenance requirements designed to ensure
commercial vehicles operate safely and comply with federal regulations .
3. Which Texas Transportation Code chapter provides the legal definition of a Commercial Motor Vehicle
(CMV) as a vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more?
A) Chapter 522 (Commercial Driver's License)
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B) Chapter 644 (Compendium of Federal Safety Regulations)
C) Chapter 621 (General Provisions – Weight and Size)
D) Chapter 548 (Vehicle Inspection Program)
Answer: C
Rationale: Chapter 621 of the Texas Transportation Code defines a CMV based on weight (≥26,001 lb)
and passenger capacity (≥16 persons) .
4. During an air brake inspection with the engine off and brakes released, an inspector finds excessive
air leakage. What is the most appropriate action?
A) Pass the vehicle if the brakes still function somewhat
B) Note the issue but continue the inspection
C) Evaluate against out-of-service criteria and fail if limits are exceeded
D) Adjust the tire pressure to compensate for air loss
Answer: C
Rationale: Excessive air loss may indicate unsafe brake conditions and can place a vehicle out of service
under applicable FMCSR standards .
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5. Which component converts the rotational motion of the steering wheel into linear motion to move
the steering linkage?
A) Air compressor
B) Steering gear box
C) Brake chamber
D) Fifth wheel plate
Answer: B
Rationale: The steering gear box translates steering wheel input into movement transmitted through
the steering linkage to control the vehicle's direction .
6. Why must an inspector closely examine tie rods during a steering system inspection on a commercial
vehicle?
A) They regulate the engine idle speed
B) They maintain proper battery voltage
C) They are critical steering linkage components that affect vehicle control
D) They support the exhaust system mounting brackets
Answer: C
Texas Commercial Vehicle Inspector Exam,
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR
Texas Commercial Vehicle Inspector Exam, based on official Texas DPS materials, the Texas
Administrative Code, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), and Commercial Vehicle Safety
Alliance (CVSA) standards.
POINT-FORM SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE
• Texas DPS Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program rules and inspector certification
requirements
• Legal definitions of a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) by weight and passenger capacity
• FMCSR Parts 393 (equipment), 395 (hours of service), and 396 (inspection/maintenance)
• CVSA North American Standard Inspection Levels I through VIII
• Out-of-service criteria for critical defects
• Air brake system components and inspection (service, parking, air leaks)
• Steering system inspection (gear box, linkage, pitman arm, tie rods)
• Suspension systems (springs, U-bolts, air suspension, torque arms)
• Tire and wheel inspection (tread depth, condition, lug nuts, rims)
• Frame and chassis integrity (cracks, corrosion, crossmembers)
• Coupling devices (fifth wheel, kingpin, pintle hooks, safety chains)
• Lighting systems (headlamps, stop lamps, turn signals, clearance/marker lamps)
• Fuel and exhaust system safety (leaks, securement, exhaust routing)
• Hazardous materials classification and placarding requirements
• Inspector training, testing, and certification process (TAC Title 37, Chapter 23)
• Vehicle Inspection Connection (VIC) system documentation
• Practical inspection skills and defect identification
1. A vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 28,000 pounds arrives for inspection. Why is
understanding the GVWR critical for a Texas commercial vehicle inspector?
A) It determines the color of the inspection sticker
B) It helps determine if commercial inspection requirements apply to this vehicle
C) It identifies the driver's medical certificate expiration date
D) It determines the vehicle’s fuel economy rating
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Answer: B
Rationale: GVWR is the primary threshold used to classify a vehicle as a commercial motor vehicle,
which determines which inspection standards apply .
2. Under FMCSR Part 396, what is the primary purpose of requiring periodic inspection, repair, and
maintenance of commercial vehicles?
A) To improve the resale value of fleet vehicles
B) To ensure vehicles remain in safe operating condition for highway use
C) To reduce the frequency of oil changes
D) To increase the maximum cargo weight allowance
Answer: B
Rationale: Part 396 establishes inspection and maintenance requirements designed to ensure
commercial vehicles operate safely and comply with federal regulations .
3. Which Texas Transportation Code chapter provides the legal definition of a Commercial Motor Vehicle
(CMV) as a vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more?
A) Chapter 522 (Commercial Driver's License)
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B) Chapter 644 (Compendium of Federal Safety Regulations)
C) Chapter 621 (General Provisions – Weight and Size)
D) Chapter 548 (Vehicle Inspection Program)
Answer: C
Rationale: Chapter 621 of the Texas Transportation Code defines a CMV based on weight (≥26,001 lb)
and passenger capacity (≥16 persons) .
4. During an air brake inspection with the engine off and brakes released, an inspector finds excessive
air leakage. What is the most appropriate action?
A) Pass the vehicle if the brakes still function somewhat
B) Note the issue but continue the inspection
C) Evaluate against out-of-service criteria and fail if limits are exceeded
D) Adjust the tire pressure to compensate for air loss
Answer: C
Rationale: Excessive air loss may indicate unsafe brake conditions and can place a vehicle out of service
under applicable FMCSR standards .
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5. Which component converts the rotational motion of the steering wheel into linear motion to move
the steering linkage?
A) Air compressor
B) Steering gear box
C) Brake chamber
D) Fifth wheel plate
Answer: B
Rationale: The steering gear box translates steering wheel input into movement transmitted through
the steering linkage to control the vehicle's direction .
6. Why must an inspector closely examine tie rods during a steering system inspection on a commercial
vehicle?
A) They regulate the engine idle speed
B) They maintain proper battery voltage
C) They are critical steering linkage components that affect vehicle control
D) They support the exhaust system mounting brackets
Answer: C
