Motor Vehicle Investigation (MPTC)
Exam Questions With Verified Answers
Windshield Size Up - ANSWER -While in the vehicle identify damage and condition of
vehicles, potential injuries, need for additional resources, and identify hazards
Final Resting position - ANSWER -Where the vehicle comes to a complete stop after
area of impact
RESPECT model - ANSWER -the model used in crash investigations
Patrol Car Postioning - ANSWER -position the patrol car to protect scene, passing
motorists, and first responders, use emergency lights to warn approaching drivers
Person in charge while on scene during emergency care for a crash - ANSWER -
highest ranking FIREFIGHTER
Chapter 85 - ANSWER -Regulations for ways
Chapter 89 - ANSWER -Laws of the road: turning, passing, lane usage, right of way,
failure to stop
Chapter 90 - ANSWER -Motor Vehicles, includes leaving the scene of a crash, OUI
Two Types of Motor Vehicle violations - ANSWER -1. CMVI: minor infractions, with no
provision for arrest of imprisonment. 2. Criminal Violation: more serious, arrest or
imprisonment
USASIR model for warrantless arrest in presence - ANSWER -(U)nlicensed operation,
operating (S)uspended license, use without (A)uthority, leaving the (S)cene, operating
under (I)nfluence, (R)efusal to submit.
Three key elements for MV law - ANSWER -motor vehicle, operation, public way, public
access, or in rare occasion private way
Motor Vehicle definition - ANSWER -all vehicles constructed for propulsion, by power
rather than muscular power eg. cars, trucks, motorcycles, atvs, snowmobiles
operation - ANSWER -a person is operating whenever they are inside the vehicle and
intentionally manipulate some mechanical or electrical part of the vehicle, which alone
or in sequence will set the vehicle in motion
,Public Way - ANSWER -any street or highway open to the public and maintained by
some sort of government including mass highways, municipal streets and roads
Public access - ANSWER -all non ways in which the public has access and regularly
drives motor vehicles upon or public access by request eg parking lots, public parks
Statute of limitations for most MV violations - ANSWER -6 years
Delivering Citation - ANSWER -officers should deliver citation immediately at the time of
offense impossible, ways to deliver include 1. in hand 2. Mail to violater
license types - ANSWER -A, B, C, D, M *D most common
Jr operator restrictions - ANSWER -Cannot operate with any passenger under 18
unless, they are family member, passenger has valid license, is 21 and has 1 year
driving experience, operator is emancipated and living alone.
How many Days until you must notify RMV of your address change - ANSWER -30
Prints - ANSWER -are left behind when a rotating tire is not spinning or skidding and
leaves tread impressions in soft materials. Can determine direction of travel, and in
some cases positively ID vehicle
skids - ANSWER -are left behind when a tire loses traction and slides over a roadway or
other surface. Occurs when a wheel becomes locked by braking or jammed following a
crash. Determines speed, action, position in roadway, and travel path before collision.
scuffs - ANSWER -made by tires that are simultaneously rotating and side slipping
caused by vehicles are rapidly accelerating, have a flat or are overloaded
how many days do you have to transfer a registration to a newly purchased vehicle -
ANSWER -7
how many days does a new resident in Massachusetts have to register their vehicle in
the state - ANSWER -30
how many days do owners have to get a newly registered vehicle inspected - ANSWER
-7
how many days do you have to repair a vehicle due to emissions failure in an inspection
- ANSWER -30
buses and vehicles carrying hazardous loads must stop how many feet before a railroad
- ANSWER -no less than 15 feet and no more than 50 ft
, Yaw Marks - ANSWER -A type of scuff when the vehicle is navigating a curve and rear
tires move in a direction other than where the vehicle is heading, curved with distinct
striations. help show vehicle speed, location, intended travel direction
Marking evidence - ANSWER -using chalk, spray paint, or "tents" use ONE mark for
items less than two feet long, use TWO or more marks to identify larger items, mark
skids at end or in intervals of 5-15 ft
offset skid mark - ANSWER -indicates something was struck and changed direction
Mechanical Evidence - ANSWER -a vehicle defect or malfunction eg equipment failure,
loads transported, driver instrument panel gauges
Human evidence - ANSWER -used to compare environment evidence, eg attitude,
distractions, lack of attentiveness, possible intentional crash, experience with road way,
experience with driving not generally reliable
Reckless driver - ANSWER -driver consciously ignores or is indifferent to the fact that
his driving will likely result in death or injury
Negligent driver - ANSWER -driver fails to operate in the way a reasonable person
would
Minimum age to operate an ATV or Snowmobile - ANSWER -14.. 14-16 no greater than
90 CC
Two circumstances that allow for a tow of a motor vehicle - ANSWER -Probable cause
or community caretaking
Crash force equation - ANSWER -MASS X SPEED= RESTRAINING FORCE
seat belt injuries - ANSWER -difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, bruises to shoulder,
broken clavicle
frontal crash injuries - ANSWER -concussion, broken teeth, cuts to head, liver injuries,
skull and spine fractures
rear end crash injuries - ANSWER -concussion, cervical fracture, torn neck ligaments
lateral crash injuries - ANSWER -concussion, chest, pelvis and rib injuries, skull
fractures
how many days do you have to file a motor vehicle crash report as a police officer -
ANSWER -15 for damage exceeding 1000 and 30 for fatal crashes
Exam Questions With Verified Answers
Windshield Size Up - ANSWER -While in the vehicle identify damage and condition of
vehicles, potential injuries, need for additional resources, and identify hazards
Final Resting position - ANSWER -Where the vehicle comes to a complete stop after
area of impact
RESPECT model - ANSWER -the model used in crash investigations
Patrol Car Postioning - ANSWER -position the patrol car to protect scene, passing
motorists, and first responders, use emergency lights to warn approaching drivers
Person in charge while on scene during emergency care for a crash - ANSWER -
highest ranking FIREFIGHTER
Chapter 85 - ANSWER -Regulations for ways
Chapter 89 - ANSWER -Laws of the road: turning, passing, lane usage, right of way,
failure to stop
Chapter 90 - ANSWER -Motor Vehicles, includes leaving the scene of a crash, OUI
Two Types of Motor Vehicle violations - ANSWER -1. CMVI: minor infractions, with no
provision for arrest of imprisonment. 2. Criminal Violation: more serious, arrest or
imprisonment
USASIR model for warrantless arrest in presence - ANSWER -(U)nlicensed operation,
operating (S)uspended license, use without (A)uthority, leaving the (S)cene, operating
under (I)nfluence, (R)efusal to submit.
Three key elements for MV law - ANSWER -motor vehicle, operation, public way, public
access, or in rare occasion private way
Motor Vehicle definition - ANSWER -all vehicles constructed for propulsion, by power
rather than muscular power eg. cars, trucks, motorcycles, atvs, snowmobiles
operation - ANSWER -a person is operating whenever they are inside the vehicle and
intentionally manipulate some mechanical or electrical part of the vehicle, which alone
or in sequence will set the vehicle in motion
,Public Way - ANSWER -any street or highway open to the public and maintained by
some sort of government including mass highways, municipal streets and roads
Public access - ANSWER -all non ways in which the public has access and regularly
drives motor vehicles upon or public access by request eg parking lots, public parks
Statute of limitations for most MV violations - ANSWER -6 years
Delivering Citation - ANSWER -officers should deliver citation immediately at the time of
offense impossible, ways to deliver include 1. in hand 2. Mail to violater
license types - ANSWER -A, B, C, D, M *D most common
Jr operator restrictions - ANSWER -Cannot operate with any passenger under 18
unless, they are family member, passenger has valid license, is 21 and has 1 year
driving experience, operator is emancipated and living alone.
How many Days until you must notify RMV of your address change - ANSWER -30
Prints - ANSWER -are left behind when a rotating tire is not spinning or skidding and
leaves tread impressions in soft materials. Can determine direction of travel, and in
some cases positively ID vehicle
skids - ANSWER -are left behind when a tire loses traction and slides over a roadway or
other surface. Occurs when a wheel becomes locked by braking or jammed following a
crash. Determines speed, action, position in roadway, and travel path before collision.
scuffs - ANSWER -made by tires that are simultaneously rotating and side slipping
caused by vehicles are rapidly accelerating, have a flat or are overloaded
how many days do you have to transfer a registration to a newly purchased vehicle -
ANSWER -7
how many days does a new resident in Massachusetts have to register their vehicle in
the state - ANSWER -30
how many days do owners have to get a newly registered vehicle inspected - ANSWER
-7
how many days do you have to repair a vehicle due to emissions failure in an inspection
- ANSWER -30
buses and vehicles carrying hazardous loads must stop how many feet before a railroad
- ANSWER -no less than 15 feet and no more than 50 ft
, Yaw Marks - ANSWER -A type of scuff when the vehicle is navigating a curve and rear
tires move in a direction other than where the vehicle is heading, curved with distinct
striations. help show vehicle speed, location, intended travel direction
Marking evidence - ANSWER -using chalk, spray paint, or "tents" use ONE mark for
items less than two feet long, use TWO or more marks to identify larger items, mark
skids at end or in intervals of 5-15 ft
offset skid mark - ANSWER -indicates something was struck and changed direction
Mechanical Evidence - ANSWER -a vehicle defect or malfunction eg equipment failure,
loads transported, driver instrument panel gauges
Human evidence - ANSWER -used to compare environment evidence, eg attitude,
distractions, lack of attentiveness, possible intentional crash, experience with road way,
experience with driving not generally reliable
Reckless driver - ANSWER -driver consciously ignores or is indifferent to the fact that
his driving will likely result in death or injury
Negligent driver - ANSWER -driver fails to operate in the way a reasonable person
would
Minimum age to operate an ATV or Snowmobile - ANSWER -14.. 14-16 no greater than
90 CC
Two circumstances that allow for a tow of a motor vehicle - ANSWER -Probable cause
or community caretaking
Crash force equation - ANSWER -MASS X SPEED= RESTRAINING FORCE
seat belt injuries - ANSWER -difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, bruises to shoulder,
broken clavicle
frontal crash injuries - ANSWER -concussion, broken teeth, cuts to head, liver injuries,
skull and spine fractures
rear end crash injuries - ANSWER -concussion, cervical fracture, torn neck ligaments
lateral crash injuries - ANSWER -concussion, chest, pelvis and rib injuries, skull
fractures
how many days do you have to file a motor vehicle crash report as a police officer -
ANSWER -15 for damage exceeding 1000 and 30 for fatal crashes
