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LADWP Meter Reader Exam Class
1611 — 150 Practice Questions &
Rationales (2025–2026)
LADWP Meter Reader Exam Class 1611 — 150 practice
questions with detailed rationales for the 2025–2026 exam.
Covers analog dial reading, water and electric meter
consumption math, access procedures, safety hazards,
customer service, and field judgment. Each Q&A explains
why the answer is correct, helping you understand meter-
reading procedures and reporting rules. Instant PDF
download for civil service exam prep.
1. A meter reader arrives at a property where the electric meter display is
partially obscured by dirt, but several digits can still be distinguished.
What should the meter reader do?
A. Estimate the unreadable digits from the previous bill
B. Record only the digits that are visible
C. Clean or otherwise safely access the meter so the complete reading
can be obtained
D. Use the customer's reported usage
Answer: C. Clean or otherwise safely access the meter so the
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complete reading can be obtained
Rationale: An accurate meter reading requires obtaining the complete
register reading. Estimating or relying on customer information can
produce an inaccurate billing record.
2. A previous electric meter reading was 48,275 kWh. The current reading is
49,016 kWh. What is the consumption?
A. 641 kWh
B. 741 kWh
C. 751 kWh
D. 1,741 kWh
Answer: B. 741 kWh
Rationale: Subtracting the previous reading from the current reading gives
49,016 - 48,275 = 741 kWh.
3. A meter reader encounters a locked gate preventing access to a meter.
The meter is not visible from the public area. What is the most
appropriate action?
A. Enter through the gate without permission
B. Estimate the reading from the previous reading
C. Follow established access and reporting procedures
D. Ask a neighbor for the customer's meter reading
Answer: C. Follow established access and reporting procedures
Rationale: Meter readers must not bypass access restrictions or enter
unauthorized areas. Proper procedures should be followed when a meter
cannot be accessed.
4. A meter register displays 007845. If the register records whole units,
what reading should be entered?
A. 784.5
B. 7,845
C. 78,450
D. 784,500
Answer: B. 7,845
Rationale: Leading zeros do not change the numerical value of the meter
reading.
5. A meter reader observes that the current reading is lower than the
previous reading on a mechanical register. What should the reader do
first?
A. Automatically subtract the current reading from the previous reading
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B. Assume the meter has malfunctioned and replace it
C. Verify the meter and reading information and follow the applicable
procedure
D. Add the two readings together
Answer: C. Verify the meter and reading information and follow the
applicable procedure
Rationale: A lower reading can result from several circumstances,
including meter replacement or register rollover. The reading should be
verified rather than automatically calculating consumption.
6. A meter reader must read several meters in different locations. Which
practice most directly reduces errors?
A. Memorizing all readings before recording them
B. Recording each reading carefully at the time it is obtained
C. Recording only unusually high readings
D. Waiting until the end of the route to record all readings
Answer: B. Recording each reading carefully at the time it is
obtained
Rationale: Immediate and accurate recording reduces memory errors and
prevents readings from being associated with the wrong account or meter.
7. A customer approaches a meter reader and asks for the customer's
account balance. What is the most appropriate response?
A. Provide the balance if the customer gives the address
B. Read the balance directly from the meter
C. Follow departmental procedures regarding customer account
information
D. Ask the customer to provide a driver's license number and then
disclose the balance
Answer: C. Follow departmental procedures regarding customer
account information
Rationale: The reader should not disclose balances directly from the meter.
Account information must be handled according to established procedures.
8. A meter reader arrives at a property and sees a water meter with a
reading that is significantly higher than the customer's normal historical
usage. The meter appears intact. What should the meter reader do?
A. Reduce the reading to approximately match the customer's normal
usage
B. Tell the customer that the meter is definitely defective
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C. Ignore the unusual reading because the meter appears intact
D. Record the actual reading accurately and report the unusual condition
according to procedure
Answer: D. Record the actual reading accurately and report the
unusual condition according to procedure
Rationale: The meter reader's responsibility is to record the observed
reading accurately rather than alter it or make an unsupported diagnosis.
9. An analog electric meter has four dials. The pointer on one dial is
between 7 and 8. According to standard meter-reading procedure, which
number should be recorded?
A. 7
B. 7.5
C. 8
D. The previous reading
Answer: A. 7
Rationale: When the pointer falls between two numbers, the lower number
is recorded.
10. Why must a meter reader verify the meter identification before
recording a reading?
A. To determine the customer's credit history
B. To ensure the reading is assigned to the correct meter
C. To determine the age of the meter
D. To calculate the customer's tax rate
Answer: B. To ensure the reading is assigned to the correct meter
Rationale: Correct meter identification prevents a valid reading from being
assigned to the wrong account or service.
11. A meter reader has difficulty seeing a meter because sunlight
creates glare on the display. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Guess the obscured digits
B. Record the previous reading
C. Change position or use an appropriate viewing aid to obtain an
accurate reading
D. Enter zero
Answer: C. Change position or use an appropriate viewing aid to
obtain an accurate reading
Rationale: Accuracy takes priority over speed. The reader should use
reasonable methods to obtain a definite reading rather than guess.
LADWP Meter Reader Exam Class
1611 — 150 Practice Questions &
Rationales (2025–2026)
LADWP Meter Reader Exam Class 1611 — 150 practice
questions with detailed rationales for the 2025–2026 exam.
Covers analog dial reading, water and electric meter
consumption math, access procedures, safety hazards,
customer service, and field judgment. Each Q&A explains
why the answer is correct, helping you understand meter-
reading procedures and reporting rules. Instant PDF
download for civil service exam prep.
1. A meter reader arrives at a property where the electric meter display is
partially obscured by dirt, but several digits can still be distinguished.
What should the meter reader do?
A. Estimate the unreadable digits from the previous bill
B. Record only the digits that are visible
C. Clean or otherwise safely access the meter so the complete reading
can be obtained
D. Use the customer's reported usage
Answer: C. Clean or otherwise safely access the meter so the
, 2|Page
complete reading can be obtained
Rationale: An accurate meter reading requires obtaining the complete
register reading. Estimating or relying on customer information can
produce an inaccurate billing record.
2. A previous electric meter reading was 48,275 kWh. The current reading is
49,016 kWh. What is the consumption?
A. 641 kWh
B. 741 kWh
C. 751 kWh
D. 1,741 kWh
Answer: B. 741 kWh
Rationale: Subtracting the previous reading from the current reading gives
49,016 - 48,275 = 741 kWh.
3. A meter reader encounters a locked gate preventing access to a meter.
The meter is not visible from the public area. What is the most
appropriate action?
A. Enter through the gate without permission
B. Estimate the reading from the previous reading
C. Follow established access and reporting procedures
D. Ask a neighbor for the customer's meter reading
Answer: C. Follow established access and reporting procedures
Rationale: Meter readers must not bypass access restrictions or enter
unauthorized areas. Proper procedures should be followed when a meter
cannot be accessed.
4. A meter register displays 007845. If the register records whole units,
what reading should be entered?
A. 784.5
B. 7,845
C. 78,450
D. 784,500
Answer: B. 7,845
Rationale: Leading zeros do not change the numerical value of the meter
reading.
5. A meter reader observes that the current reading is lower than the
previous reading on a mechanical register. What should the reader do
first?
A. Automatically subtract the current reading from the previous reading
, 3|Page
B. Assume the meter has malfunctioned and replace it
C. Verify the meter and reading information and follow the applicable
procedure
D. Add the two readings together
Answer: C. Verify the meter and reading information and follow the
applicable procedure
Rationale: A lower reading can result from several circumstances,
including meter replacement or register rollover. The reading should be
verified rather than automatically calculating consumption.
6. A meter reader must read several meters in different locations. Which
practice most directly reduces errors?
A. Memorizing all readings before recording them
B. Recording each reading carefully at the time it is obtained
C. Recording only unusually high readings
D. Waiting until the end of the route to record all readings
Answer: B. Recording each reading carefully at the time it is
obtained
Rationale: Immediate and accurate recording reduces memory errors and
prevents readings from being associated with the wrong account or meter.
7. A customer approaches a meter reader and asks for the customer's
account balance. What is the most appropriate response?
A. Provide the balance if the customer gives the address
B. Read the balance directly from the meter
C. Follow departmental procedures regarding customer account
information
D. Ask the customer to provide a driver's license number and then
disclose the balance
Answer: C. Follow departmental procedures regarding customer
account information
Rationale: The reader should not disclose balances directly from the meter.
Account information must be handled according to established procedures.
8. A meter reader arrives at a property and sees a water meter with a
reading that is significantly higher than the customer's normal historical
usage. The meter appears intact. What should the meter reader do?
A. Reduce the reading to approximately match the customer's normal
usage
B. Tell the customer that the meter is definitely defective
, 4|Page
C. Ignore the unusual reading because the meter appears intact
D. Record the actual reading accurately and report the unusual condition
according to procedure
Answer: D. Record the actual reading accurately and report the
unusual condition according to procedure
Rationale: The meter reader's responsibility is to record the observed
reading accurately rather than alter it or make an unsupported diagnosis.
9. An analog electric meter has four dials. The pointer on one dial is
between 7 and 8. According to standard meter-reading procedure, which
number should be recorded?
A. 7
B. 7.5
C. 8
D. The previous reading
Answer: A. 7
Rationale: When the pointer falls between two numbers, the lower number
is recorded.
10. Why must a meter reader verify the meter identification before
recording a reading?
A. To determine the customer's credit history
B. To ensure the reading is assigned to the correct meter
C. To determine the age of the meter
D. To calculate the customer's tax rate
Answer: B. To ensure the reading is assigned to the correct meter
Rationale: Correct meter identification prevents a valid reading from being
assigned to the wrong account or service.
11. A meter reader has difficulty seeing a meter because sunlight
creates glare on the display. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Guess the obscured digits
B. Record the previous reading
C. Change position or use an appropriate viewing aid to obtain an
accurate reading
D. Enter zero
Answer: C. Change position or use an appropriate viewing aid to
obtain an accurate reading
Rationale: Accuracy takes priority over speed. The reader should use
reasonable methods to obtain a definite reading rather than guess.
