LADWP Meter Reader Exam — Class 1611 exam
(2026) with verified answers and rationale
Section 1: Job Duties & Professional Conduct (Questions 1–20)
1. What is the primary duty of a Meter Reader (Class 1611)?
A. Repairing water main breaks
B. Accurately reading water and electric meters
C. Approving customer billing adjustments
D. Installing new electric meter sockets
Answer: B
Rationale: The official job description states Meter Readers read water and electric meters and make
accurate recordings using a hand-held computer-3-5.
2. Which device is specifically identified for recording meter information in the position
description?
A. Smartphone with a camera
B. Hand-held computer
C. Notebook and pen
D. Two-way radio
Answer: B
Rationale: The position description explicitly names the hand-held computer as the recording device
for meter readings-3-5.
3. A customer asks the meter reader about a billing discrepancy. What is the most appropriate
response?
A. Adjust the bill on the spot
B. Explain what the meter reading shows and refer billing questions to the appropriate department
C. Tell the customer the meter must be defective
D. Ignore the customer and walk away
Answer: B
Rationale: Meter Readers should deal tactfully with customer inquiries within their role and refer
matters outside their authority to the proper resource-5-15.
4. Which skill is MOST critical when recording a meter reading?
A. Speed
B. Accuracy
C. Memorization of customer names
D. Estimating when unsure
Answer: B
Rationale: Accurate meter readings are essential because recorded consumption is used for billing
and utility records-5-6.
,5. What should a Meter Reader do upon noticing a cracked meter cover?
A. Ignore it if the reading is still visible
B. Record the reading and report the irregularity according to procedure
C. Replace the cover personally
D. Refuse to read the meter entirely
Answer: B
Rationale: Reporting field irregularities is a listed duty; visible damage should be documented and
reported-3-6.
6. Why must a Meter Reader verify the meter identification before recording a reading?
A. To determine the customer’s credit score
B. To ensure the reading is assigned to the correct meter and account
C. To calculate the customer’s tax rate
D. To decide whether to skip the meter
Answer: B
Rationale: Correct meter identification prevents a valid reading from being assigned to the wrong
account-5-6.
7. A customer offers a meter reader money to “ignore” an unusual reading. What should the
reader do?
A. Accept it if the amount is small
B. Refuse and follow established procedures
C. Negotiate a lower amount
D. Report the reading as normal to avoid conflict
Answer: B
Rationale: Ethical conduct requires refusing improper inducements and following established
procedures without alteration-5.
8. The position description states Meter Readers must be able to work under which conditions?
A. Only in mild weather
B. In all types of inclement weather, including rain and extreme heat
C. Only during daylight hours
D. Only indoors
Answer: B
Rationale: The official description notes work in all types of inclement weather-3-13.
9. Approximately how many miles per day may a Meter Reader walk?
A. 1–2 miles
B. 3–4 miles
C. In excess of seven miles
D. Less than one mile
Answer: C
Rationale: The position description states Meter Readers walk in excess of seven miles per day in
hilly and flat terrain-3.
,10. What does the position description say about hostile dogs?
A. Meter Readers are not expected to encounter them
B. Meter Readers must contend with them
C. Dogs are removed by animal control before routes
D. Meter Readers may skip any property with a dog
Answer: B
Rationale: The official description explicitly states Meter Readers must contend with hostile dogs-3-
13.
11. Which of the following is NOT a Meter Reader duty according to the position description?
A. Reading meters accurately
B. Reporting irregularities found in the field
C. Repairing infrastructure
D. Dealing tactfully with customers
Answer: C
Rationale: Repairing infrastructure is the responsibility of other classifications, not the Meter
Reader-5.
12. A meter reader is asked by a neighbor for the customer’s meter reading. What is the
appropriate action?
A. Provide the reading if the neighbor knows the customer
B. Refuse to disclose the reading to the neighbor
C. Write the reading on a note and hand it over
D. Read it aloud so anyone nearby can hear
Answer: B
Rationale: Meter readings and account information should not be disclosed to unauthorized parties-
1.
13. What ability is “especially desired” according to the Meter Reader position description?
A. Ability to memorize various alpha and numeric codes
B. Ability to repair meters
C. Ability to drive heavy trucks
D. Ability to speak multiple languages
Answer: A
Rationale: The position description specifically notes that the ability to memorize various alpha and
numeric codes is especially desired-3.
14. A Meter Reader should carry approximately how much equipment all day?
A. 5 pounds
B. 15 pounds
C. 30 pounds
D. 50 pounds
, Answer: B
Rationale: The position description states Meter Readers carry approximately 15 pounds of
equipment all day-3.
15. How many times per day may a Meter Reader squat and bend?
A. 10–20
B. 50–100
C. 150–250
D. 500+
Answer: C
Rationale: The position description states squatting and bending approximately 150–250 times per
day-3.
16. A Meter Reader arrives at a meter but the display is completely unreadable due to heavy
condensation. What is the best action?
A. Guess the reading based on the previous month
B. Record the previous reading
C. Follow procedures for unreadable meters
D. Skip the meter and move to the next one without documentation
Answer: C
Rationale: Unreadable meters should be handled per established procedure, not estimated or
skipped without record-1-5.
17. Which of the following best describes the Meter Reader’s role regarding customer complaints?
A. Resolve all complaints personally
B. Deal tactfully and courteously, referring matters outside their role
C. Ignore complaints
D. Promise billing adjustments
Answer: B
Rationale: The position description states the Meter Reader deals tactfully and courteously with
customers regarding inquiries and complaints about service-3.
18. What type of driver’s license is required as a condition of employment for Meter Reader?
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class C
D. No license required
Answer: C
Rationale: A valid Class C driver’s license issued by the California DMV is required at the time of
appointment-13.
19. A Meter Reader is uncertain about the last digit of a digital meter display. What should they
do?
A. Estimate the digit
B. Wait for the display to cycle and confirm the correct value
(2026) with verified answers and rationale
Section 1: Job Duties & Professional Conduct (Questions 1–20)
1. What is the primary duty of a Meter Reader (Class 1611)?
A. Repairing water main breaks
B. Accurately reading water and electric meters
C. Approving customer billing adjustments
D. Installing new electric meter sockets
Answer: B
Rationale: The official job description states Meter Readers read water and electric meters and make
accurate recordings using a hand-held computer-3-5.
2. Which device is specifically identified for recording meter information in the position
description?
A. Smartphone with a camera
B. Hand-held computer
C. Notebook and pen
D. Two-way radio
Answer: B
Rationale: The position description explicitly names the hand-held computer as the recording device
for meter readings-3-5.
3. A customer asks the meter reader about a billing discrepancy. What is the most appropriate
response?
A. Adjust the bill on the spot
B. Explain what the meter reading shows and refer billing questions to the appropriate department
C. Tell the customer the meter must be defective
D. Ignore the customer and walk away
Answer: B
Rationale: Meter Readers should deal tactfully with customer inquiries within their role and refer
matters outside their authority to the proper resource-5-15.
4. Which skill is MOST critical when recording a meter reading?
A. Speed
B. Accuracy
C. Memorization of customer names
D. Estimating when unsure
Answer: B
Rationale: Accurate meter readings are essential because recorded consumption is used for billing
and utility records-5-6.
,5. What should a Meter Reader do upon noticing a cracked meter cover?
A. Ignore it if the reading is still visible
B. Record the reading and report the irregularity according to procedure
C. Replace the cover personally
D. Refuse to read the meter entirely
Answer: B
Rationale: Reporting field irregularities is a listed duty; visible damage should be documented and
reported-3-6.
6. Why must a Meter Reader verify the meter identification before recording a reading?
A. To determine the customer’s credit score
B. To ensure the reading is assigned to the correct meter and account
C. To calculate the customer’s tax rate
D. To decide whether to skip the meter
Answer: B
Rationale: Correct meter identification prevents a valid reading from being assigned to the wrong
account-5-6.
7. A customer offers a meter reader money to “ignore” an unusual reading. What should the
reader do?
A. Accept it if the amount is small
B. Refuse and follow established procedures
C. Negotiate a lower amount
D. Report the reading as normal to avoid conflict
Answer: B
Rationale: Ethical conduct requires refusing improper inducements and following established
procedures without alteration-5.
8. The position description states Meter Readers must be able to work under which conditions?
A. Only in mild weather
B. In all types of inclement weather, including rain and extreme heat
C. Only during daylight hours
D. Only indoors
Answer: B
Rationale: The official description notes work in all types of inclement weather-3-13.
9. Approximately how many miles per day may a Meter Reader walk?
A. 1–2 miles
B. 3–4 miles
C. In excess of seven miles
D. Less than one mile
Answer: C
Rationale: The position description states Meter Readers walk in excess of seven miles per day in
hilly and flat terrain-3.
,10. What does the position description say about hostile dogs?
A. Meter Readers are not expected to encounter them
B. Meter Readers must contend with them
C. Dogs are removed by animal control before routes
D. Meter Readers may skip any property with a dog
Answer: B
Rationale: The official description explicitly states Meter Readers must contend with hostile dogs-3-
13.
11. Which of the following is NOT a Meter Reader duty according to the position description?
A. Reading meters accurately
B. Reporting irregularities found in the field
C. Repairing infrastructure
D. Dealing tactfully with customers
Answer: C
Rationale: Repairing infrastructure is the responsibility of other classifications, not the Meter
Reader-5.
12. A meter reader is asked by a neighbor for the customer’s meter reading. What is the
appropriate action?
A. Provide the reading if the neighbor knows the customer
B. Refuse to disclose the reading to the neighbor
C. Write the reading on a note and hand it over
D. Read it aloud so anyone nearby can hear
Answer: B
Rationale: Meter readings and account information should not be disclosed to unauthorized parties-
1.
13. What ability is “especially desired” according to the Meter Reader position description?
A. Ability to memorize various alpha and numeric codes
B. Ability to repair meters
C. Ability to drive heavy trucks
D. Ability to speak multiple languages
Answer: A
Rationale: The position description specifically notes that the ability to memorize various alpha and
numeric codes is especially desired-3.
14. A Meter Reader should carry approximately how much equipment all day?
A. 5 pounds
B. 15 pounds
C. 30 pounds
D. 50 pounds
, Answer: B
Rationale: The position description states Meter Readers carry approximately 15 pounds of
equipment all day-3.
15. How many times per day may a Meter Reader squat and bend?
A. 10–20
B. 50–100
C. 150–250
D. 500+
Answer: C
Rationale: The position description states squatting and bending approximately 150–250 times per
day-3.
16. A Meter Reader arrives at a meter but the display is completely unreadable due to heavy
condensation. What is the best action?
A. Guess the reading based on the previous month
B. Record the previous reading
C. Follow procedures for unreadable meters
D. Skip the meter and move to the next one without documentation
Answer: C
Rationale: Unreadable meters should be handled per established procedure, not estimated or
skipped without record-1-5.
17. Which of the following best describes the Meter Reader’s role regarding customer complaints?
A. Resolve all complaints personally
B. Deal tactfully and courteously, referring matters outside their role
C. Ignore complaints
D. Promise billing adjustments
Answer: B
Rationale: The position description states the Meter Reader deals tactfully and courteously with
customers regarding inquiries and complaints about service-3.
18. What type of driver’s license is required as a condition of employment for Meter Reader?
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class C
D. No license required
Answer: C
Rationale: A valid Class C driver’s license issued by the California DMV is required at the time of
appointment-13.
19. A Meter Reader is uncertain about the last digit of a digital meter display. What should they
do?
A. Estimate the digit
B. Wait for the display to cycle and confirm the correct value
