Covers the current Traffic Enforcement Agent exam, Notice of Examination No. 7331.
If you want an NYC traffic enforcement agent practice test, start with the only official outline there is. Notice of Examination No. 7331 says the multiple-choice test "may include questions which require the use of any of" seven abilities, and it defines each one with a job example.
Filing for Exam 7331 ran from July 1 to August 25, 2026, the fee was $0 and testing was expected to begin on Thursday, October 22, 2026. The DCAS schedule plans the next exam, 7332, with filing from November 5 to November 25, 2026. The test is given at a computer terminal, and you need 70% to pass. Your score sets your rank on the eligible list. See how the exam works for the full process.
What the notice says, and what it does not
The notice lists the abilities with a short job example for each. It does not publish the number of questions, the time limit or how many questions test each ability. Because it says the test "may include" these abilities, not every one may appear on your test.
- Calculators: basic hand-held calculators with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are permitted.
- Maps and memory: the Memorization and Spatial Orientation examples below are short text versions. For memory questions that hide the notice before you answer and street map questions with one-way streets, try our 30 free practice questions.
Every practice question below is original. The names, places and rules in them are made up, and they are not real test questions or real City rules. Try each one before you open "Show answer."
1. Deductive Reasoning
Official definition: "applying general rules to specific problems to come up with logical answers. It involves deciding if an answer makes sense." (the notice)
What it means: You apply a stated rule to one case. The answer comes from the rule, not from what seems fair. The notice's job example is enforcing the rules on movement, parking, stopping and standing of vehicles.
Practice example
Made-up rule: On Hale Avenue, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on weekdays, no vehicle may stop in the right lane, which becomes a travel lane. Buses may stop at marked bus stops in that lane at any time. Agent Rachel Kim checks the right lane several times on a Tuesday.
Which vehicle is in violation?
- A. At 5:15 PM, a bus stopped at a marked bus stop
- B. At 5:15 PM, a taxi stopped to let a passenger out
- C. At 3:50 PM, a van parked to unload boxes
- D. At 7:10 PM, a car parked at the curb
Show answer
Answer: B. The taxi stopped in the right lane during the 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM window, and the rule allows no stopping at all, even to let a passenger out. The bus is at a marked bus stop, which the rule allows at any time. The van and the car were there outside the rule's hours.
Tip: Check the time, the day and every exception to the rule before you decide.
2. Information Ordering
Official definition: "following correctly a given rule or set of rules to arrange things or actions in a certain order. The rule or set of rules used must be given." (the notice)
What it means: You follow a stated procedure step by step, or put actions in the order a rule requires. The notice's job example is following the procedures for issuing summonses and directing traffic.
Practice example
Made-up towing procedure: (1) Confirm the violation on the posted sign. (2) Photograph the vehicle and the sign. (3) Issue the summons. (4) Call the tow dispatcher with the plate number and location. (5) Record the tow number in the handheld. Agent Joseph Lin has just issued the summons.
What should he do next?
- A. Record the tow number in the handheld
- B. Photograph the vehicle and the sign
- C. Call the tow dispatcher with the plate number and location
- D. Confirm the violation on the posted sign again
Show answer
Answer: C. Issuing the summons is step 3, so step 4, calling the tow dispatcher, comes next. The tow number cannot be recorded until the dispatcher gives one, and the photos and the sign check came before the summons.
Tip: Find the step you are on, then read the very next one. Do not skip ahead to a step that depends on it.
3. Memorization
Official definition: "remembering information, such as words, numbers, pictures and procedures." (the notice)
What it means: You study material, then answer without looking at it. The notice's job example is recounting incidents that happened in the field. The notice does not say how memory questions are run or how long you get to study.
Practice example
Read this made-up notice for 30 seconds, cover it, then answer. "Post 5, Friday. Agent Lopez covers Ash Street and Third Avenue from 7:00 AM. The meter at Birch Street, space 14, is broken. A film crew may park two trucks on Cedar Street until noon. The street fair barrier on Maple Avenue goes up at 2:00 PM."
Until what time may the film crew park on Cedar Street?
- A. Noon
- B. 7:00 AM
- C. 2:00 PM
- D. 3:00 PM
Show answer
Answer: A. The notice lets the film crew park until noon. 7:00 AM is when Agent Lopez starts at Ash Street and Third Avenue, and 2:00 PM is when the barrier goes up on Maple Avenue. 3:00 PM is not in the notice.
Tip: As you study, link each time to its place and its person. Wrong answers often borrow a real detail from another line.
4. Problem Sensitivity
Official definition: "being able to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong." (the notice)
What it means: You spot the detail that signals a problem now or soon. The notice's job example is monitoring traffic flow and things that block it, such as street construction, manhole work or special events.
Practice example
Agent Nadia Hussein is assigned to a busy intersection at 8:00 AM.
Which of these is most likely to cause a crash if nothing is done?
- A. A pedestrian countdown shows 8 seconds as a man steps off the curb.
- B. A bus with its flashers on pulls into a marked bus stop.
- C. A street sweeper moves slowly along the curb lane.
- D. The traffic signals show green in both directions at once.
Show answer
Answer: D. Green in both directions sends cross traffic into the intersection at the same time, which is very likely to cause a crash. A man starting across with 8 seconds left may need to hurry, but the countdown is working as designed. A bus at a marked stop and a slow street sweeper are normal sights.
Tip: Ask which situation will cause harm soonest if nobody acts.
5. Spatial Orientation
Official definition: "determining where you are in relation to the location of some object or where the object is in relation to you." (the notice)
What it means: You keep track of directions and positions, often on a map. The notice's job example is directing and controlling traffic at assigned locations. The notice does not say whether the test uses maps; this text example only shows the idea.
Practice example
Agent Carlos Mejia is directing traffic in the middle of an intersection, facing north. A driver comes toward him from the west, heading east. She needs to end up heading north.
Which way should she turn?
- A. Right
- B. Left
- C. Straight ahead, then right
- D. She should make a U-turn
Show answer
Answer: B. She is heading east. Turning left from east points her north. Turning right would send her south, and a U-turn would send her back west.
Tip: Picture yourself in the driver's seat, facing the way the car is moving, before you decide left or right.
6. Written Comprehension
Official definition: "understanding written sentences and paragraphs." (the notice)
What it means: You read a short text and answer only from what it says. The notice's job example is reading traffic regulation signs to decide whether a vehicle is in violation.
Practice example
Made-up rule: A taxi relief stand may be used only by a taxi whose driver stays with the vehicle, for up to 1 hour. Any other vehicle at a taxi relief stand gets a summons. A taxi whose driver leaves it also gets a summons. Agent Tiffany Owens checks the stand.
Which vehicle should get a summons?
- A. A taxi whose driver left it 20 minutes ago to buy lunch
- B. A taxi whose driver has been sitting inside for 40 minutes
- C. A taxi whose driver is standing beside it, after 55 minutes
- D. A taxi whose driver has been inside for 30 minutes, reading
Show answer
Answer: A. The driver who left to buy lunch did not stay with the vehicle, which the rule requires, even though only 20 minutes have passed. The other three drivers stayed with their taxis, and all of them are under the 1-hour limit.
Tip: Look for words like only, any and every. They decide most sign and rule questions.
7. Written Expression
Official definition: "using English words or sentences in writing so that others will understand." (the notice)
What it means: You choose the clearest, most accurate and complete sentence. The notice's job example is preparing reports.
Practice example
Agent Victor Ramos found a broken parking meter on his post and reported it.
Which sentence belongs in his report?
- A. The meter was messed up, so I called it in.
- B. At 9:20 AM, I found the meter at 210 Cedar Street showing an error screen, I reported it by radio.
- C. At 9:20 AM, I found the meter at 210 Cedar Street showing an error screen and reported it to the meter unit by radio.
- D. I found the meter at 210 Cedar Street showing an error screen and reported it to them.
Show answer
Answer: C. The third sentence gives the time, the place, the problem and whom he told. The first is vague and too informal for a report, the second joins two sentences with only a comma, and the last leaves out the time and does not say who "them" is.
Tip: A good report sentence answers when, where, what and who, in plain words.
How to use this list
- Learn the seven definitions until you can say what each one asks you to do.
- Practice every ability, because the notice publishes no weights.
- Time yourself on reading and memory items, and read every option before you answer.
Common questions
How many questions are on the exam, and how long is it?
Neither is published. Notice No. 7331 gives no question count and no time limit, so treat any exact numbers you see elsewhere as unofficial.
Can I use a calculator on the traffic enforcement agent exam?
Yes, a basic hand-held calculator with only the four basic functions. Phones, smartwatches and other devices are sealed in a pouch at the test site.
Will all 7 abilities be on my test?
Not necessarily. The notice says the test "may include" questions on these abilities and publishes no weights, so prepare for all seven.
Does the City publish official practice questions?
We found no official practice test or sample questions from DCAS for this exam. The examples in this guide are our own.
When do I get my score?
DCAS gives immediate, tentative results at the end of the test (DCAS results page). Proposed answer keys can be protested (protest procedures).
What score do I need?
At least 70% to pass. Passing candidates are placed on the eligible list in final score order, so a higher score means a better list number. See list numbers explained.
PrepRaven is an independent exam-prep site. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the City of New York, DCAS, the NYC Police Department or any City agency. Facts checked against the official notices on October 12, 2026; always confirm dates and rules in the current Notice of Examination.
Last updated October 2026