NYS Tow Truck Endorsement Practice Test

After setting the disabled vehicle's parking brake, what should you do?

A. Chock the front of the trailing end's tires

B. Chock the back of the trailing end's tires
C. Turn on the vehicle's four ways
D. All of the above - ANS D

When backing the tow truck to the disabled vehicle, how far apart should the crossbar of the
wheel lift be from the disabled vehicle's front bumper?

A. 6 inches
B. 1 foot
C. 1.5 feet
D. 3 feet - ANS B

When backing the tow truck to the disabled vehicle, how far apart should the tow sling be from
the disabled vehicle's front bumper?

A. 6 inches
B. 1 foot
C. 1.5 feet
D. 3 feet - ANS A

Chains should not rub against which of the following?

A. Fascia
B. Spoiler
C. Air dam
D. All of the above - ANS D

What should you never do while towing a disabled vehicle?

A. Exceed truck weight limits

B. Exceed accessory weight limits
C. Make sudden movements or accelerations
D. Attempt to jackknife while backing
E. All of the above - ANS E

What should you do when driving over uneven ground in order to prevent vehicle dislodging and
damage?

A. Stop, then proceed slowly

B. Proceed slowly throughout
C. Keep the wheels straight and maintain the speed limit
D. Find a different route - ANS B

While driving a tow truck with a disabled vehicle, what should you be frequently checking and
why?

A. Mirrors, to ensure proper vehicle tracking

B. The wheel lift/tow sling, to ensure it's position has not changed
C. Wheel securing straps, to ensure they stay tight
D. The disabled vehicle, to ensure it has not shifted
E. All of the above - ANS E

Why should you mark the drive shaft before removing it?

A. For insurance purposes

B. So mechanics don't forget to reattach it
C. In case it falls off during tow
D. It is needed in order reattach the drive shaft in the balanced position - ANS D

Why is it better to remove the drive shaft than the axle shafts for a tow?

A. It is easier
B. It minimizes the loss of lubricating fluid
C. It allows for longer distance tows
D. All of the above - ANS D

If you are towing a vehicle with a GVWR of over 7,000 pounds, what towing equipment is
forbidden to use?

A. Tow sling & T-hooks

B. Tow sling & J-hooks
C. Tow sling & dollies
D. Work lights - ANS B

Removing the drive shaft from the driveline is sometimes the most dangerous part of a tow.
What MUST you do to prevent possible death and injury?
A. Put the disabled vehicle in neutral
B. Release the disabled vehicles brakes
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B - ANS C

If you are towing a disabled vehicle that is having differential problems, what should you do?

A. Remove the drive axles

B. Install axle covers
C. Ensure the disabled vehicle is completely turned off
D. All of the above - ANS D

What do axle covers do?

A. Cover/protect drive axle shaft openings to prevent contamination or loss of wheel bearing
lubrication
B. Create better airflow around the rims
C. Connects the drive shaft to the drive line
D. Connects the axle shafts to the drive line - ANS A

Why must a disabled vehicles engine be shut off completely for a tow?

A. Electronic devices on the towed vehicle might cause a brake lock-up

B. Truck transmissions are not properly lubricated for towing
C. It is a fire hazard
D. It is a waste of possibly needed fuel - ANS A

What is the minimum distance allowable from the lowest drive axles of a disabled vehicle to the
ground?

A. 6 inches
B. 10 inches
C. 12 inches
D. 18 inches - ANS B

What are bed locks?

A. Fixture extending below the tilt bed of a car carrier that makes contact with the ground prior
to full extension
B. The V or Y type coupling device used to attach and center a cable
C. Interlock brakes that activate once the bed of a car carrier is tilted
D. Devices that secure the carrier bed in place during travel - ANS D
When you are loading/unloading a disabled vehicle with a car carrier, what should you be
looking for?

A. Traffic around you

B. Emergency service vehicles
C. Leftover debris from where the car is moved from
D. The ground clearance of the vehicle - ANS D

What should you never do around a carrier bed that is in a loaded, tilted position?

A. Leave it in that position to talk to police

B. Leave it in that position to talk to the disabled vehicle's owner
C. Get behind the car carrier
D. Use remote control hydraulics - ANS C

How many securing devices are required by federal law for a vehicle with a GVWR of more than
10,000 pounds?

A. A minimum of 3
B. A minimum of 4
C. A minimum of 2
D. A minimum of 5 - ANS B

You are attaching securing devices from the bed of a car carrier to a disabled vehicle resting on
top of it. Are you allowed to count the winch as one of the minimum securing devices required
by federal law?

A. Yes
B. No
C. Depends - ANS B