TEXAS VEHICLE EMISSIONS INSPECTOR UPDATED
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT CORRECT
ANSWERSS COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE
Detail Information
Governing Agency Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Regulatory Authority TCEQ establishes I/M program
Primary Law Transportation Code Chapter 548; Health & Safety Code Chapter 382
Rules 37 TAC Chapter 23 (DPS); 30 TAC Chapter 114 (TCEQ)
Endorsements S (Safety), C (Commercial), E (Emissions)
Attempts Allowed 3 opportunities to pass written exam within 30 days of training
SECTION 1: PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND AIR QUALITY
(Questions 1-20)
Question 1: Which agency administers the vehicle emissions inspection program in
Texas?
A) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
B) Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
C) Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV)
D) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Correct answers: B. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
,Rationale: DPS is the primary state agency responsible for certifying emissions
inspection stations and inspectors in Texas. This authority is explicitly stated in 37 TAC
§23.55(a) . TCEQ establishes the I/M program requirements, while DPS operates the
program in conjunction with TCEQ .
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of the Texas vehicle emissions inspection
program?
A) To increase state revenue through inspection fees
B) To ensure vehicles meet emissions standards and protect air quality
C) To reduce insurance costs for Texas drivers
D) To inspect vehicle safety features
Correct answers: B. To ensure vehicles meet emissions standards and protect air
quality
Rationale: The primary purpose of the vehicle emissions inspection program is to
ensure compliance with the Federal Clean Air Act and reduce air pollution from motor
vehicles. Motor vehicles emit toxic air pollutants and contribute to the formation of
ground-level ozone (smog) .
Question 3: What pollutants are the primary focus of the Texas I/M program?
A) Carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx)
B) Sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM10), and ammonia
C) Methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and VOCs
D) Ozone (O3), lead (Pb), and carbon dioxide (CO2)
,Correct answers: A. Carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen
oxides (NOx)
Rationale: The I/M program focuses on specific pollutants found in vehicle exhaust
emissions: carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These
are the primary regulated pollutants from motor vehicles under the Clean Air Act .
Question 4: What is ground-level ozone (smog) formed from?
A) Carbon dioxide and water vapor
B) Hydrocarbons (HC) reacting with oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
C) Sulfur dioxide and particulate matter
D) Carbon monoxide and oxygen
Correct answers: B. Hydrocarbons (HC) reacting with oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
Rationale: Ozone is formed by atmospheric reaction between hydrocarbons (HC) and
oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Motor vehicles are the largest source of ground-level ozone
(smog) in Texas .
Question 5: How much air pollution does a "typical" vehicle emit annually?
A) 100 pounds
B) 250 pounds
C) 1,000 pounds (1/2 ton)
D) 2,000 pounds (1 ton)
Correct answers: C. 1,000 pounds (1/2 ton)
, Rationale: A "typical" vehicle emits about a half ton (1,000 pounds) of air pollution
annually. A malfunctioning vehicle emits many times that amount .
Question 6: What is the largest source of toxic/carcinogenic air pollutants in
Texas?
A) Industrial facilities
B) Power plants
C) Motor vehicles
D) Agricultural operations
Correct answers: C. Motor vehicles
Rationale: Motor vehicles are the largest source of toxic/carcinogenic air pollutants in
Texas. Toxic compounds threaten human health even at very low levels .
Question 7: What is the largest source of Carbon Monoxide (CO) in Texas?
A) Industrial facilities
B) Motor vehicles
C) Power plants
D) Wildfires
Correct answers: B. Motor vehicles
Rationale: Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic air pollutant that impairs cardiovascular
function. Motor vehicles are the largest source of CO in Texas .
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT CORRECT
ANSWERSS COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE
Detail Information
Governing Agency Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Regulatory Authority TCEQ establishes I/M program
Primary Law Transportation Code Chapter 548; Health & Safety Code Chapter 382
Rules 37 TAC Chapter 23 (DPS); 30 TAC Chapter 114 (TCEQ)
Endorsements S (Safety), C (Commercial), E (Emissions)
Attempts Allowed 3 opportunities to pass written exam within 30 days of training
SECTION 1: PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND AIR QUALITY
(Questions 1-20)
Question 1: Which agency administers the vehicle emissions inspection program in
Texas?
A) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
B) Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
C) Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV)
D) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Correct answers: B. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
,Rationale: DPS is the primary state agency responsible for certifying emissions
inspection stations and inspectors in Texas. This authority is explicitly stated in 37 TAC
§23.55(a) . TCEQ establishes the I/M program requirements, while DPS operates the
program in conjunction with TCEQ .
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of the Texas vehicle emissions inspection
program?
A) To increase state revenue through inspection fees
B) To ensure vehicles meet emissions standards and protect air quality
C) To reduce insurance costs for Texas drivers
D) To inspect vehicle safety features
Correct answers: B. To ensure vehicles meet emissions standards and protect air
quality
Rationale: The primary purpose of the vehicle emissions inspection program is to
ensure compliance with the Federal Clean Air Act and reduce air pollution from motor
vehicles. Motor vehicles emit toxic air pollutants and contribute to the formation of
ground-level ozone (smog) .
Question 3: What pollutants are the primary focus of the Texas I/M program?
A) Carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx)
B) Sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM10), and ammonia
C) Methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and VOCs
D) Ozone (O3), lead (Pb), and carbon dioxide (CO2)
,Correct answers: A. Carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen
oxides (NOx)
Rationale: The I/M program focuses on specific pollutants found in vehicle exhaust
emissions: carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These
are the primary regulated pollutants from motor vehicles under the Clean Air Act .
Question 4: What is ground-level ozone (smog) formed from?
A) Carbon dioxide and water vapor
B) Hydrocarbons (HC) reacting with oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
C) Sulfur dioxide and particulate matter
D) Carbon monoxide and oxygen
Correct answers: B. Hydrocarbons (HC) reacting with oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
Rationale: Ozone is formed by atmospheric reaction between hydrocarbons (HC) and
oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Motor vehicles are the largest source of ground-level ozone
(smog) in Texas .
Question 5: How much air pollution does a "typical" vehicle emit annually?
A) 100 pounds
B) 250 pounds
C) 1,000 pounds (1/2 ton)
D) 2,000 pounds (1 ton)
Correct answers: C. 1,000 pounds (1/2 ton)
, Rationale: A "typical" vehicle emits about a half ton (1,000 pounds) of air pollution
annually. A malfunctioning vehicle emits many times that amount .
Question 6: What is the largest source of toxic/carcinogenic air pollutants in
Texas?
A) Industrial facilities
B) Power plants
C) Motor vehicles
D) Agricultural operations
Correct answers: C. Motor vehicles
Rationale: Motor vehicles are the largest source of toxic/carcinogenic air pollutants in
Texas. Toxic compounds threaten human health even at very low levels .
Question 7: What is the largest source of Carbon Monoxide (CO) in Texas?
A) Industrial facilities
B) Motor vehicles
C) Power plants
D) Wildfires
Correct answers: B. Motor vehicles
Rationale: Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic air pollutant that impairs cardiovascular
function. Motor vehicles are the largest source of CO in Texas .
