NYC Traffic Enforcement Agent

The Traffic Enforcement Agent exam is a New York City civil service examination announced and administered by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS). Each exam is described in a Notice of Examination, which lists the application period, the test date, the qualification requirements, and the abilities the test measures. Candidates apply online through DCAS's Online Application System (OASys), take a computer-based multiple-choice test at a DCAS testing center, and are placed on an eligible list in score order. Agents hired from the list serve in the NYPD's traffic enforcement operations.

Exam Pattern

The test is multiple choice and is taken at a computer terminal. The Notice of Examination does not state a fixed number of questions or time limit; the test time appears on your Admission Notice. Each question has four answer choices, and the material you need, such as a passage, a set of rules, a street map, or a scene to memorize, is supplied in the test itself. The notice defines each ability as follows.

Ability	What it measures, as defi ned on the Notice of Examination
WrittenComprehension	Understandingwrittensentencesandparagraphs
WrittenExpression	UsingEnglishwordsorsentencesinwritingsothatotherswillunderstand
Memorization	Rememberinginformation suchaswords numbers pictures andprocedures , , , ,
ProblemSensitivity	Beingabletotellwhensomethingiswrongorislikelytogowrong
InformationOrdering	Followingcorrectlyagivenruleorsetofrulestoarrangethingsoractionsinacertainorder
SpatialOrientation	Determiningwhereyouareinrelationtothelocationofsomeobject orwheretheobjectisin ,
	relationtoyou
DeductiveReasoning	Applyinggeneralrulestospecificproblemstocomeupwithlogicalanswers

The current test measures the seven abilities above. It does not test arithmetic speed or traffic law you are expected to know beforehand; rules, maps, and facts are provided in each question. Because the notice does not assign a weight to each ability, prepare evenly across all seven.

Scoring and the Eligible List

You must achieve a score of at least 70% to pass. Candidates who pass are placed on an eligible list in final score order, and the agency hires from the top of the list as positions open, so a higher score improves your chance of being called and how soon. Additional credit, such as veterans' credit, may be added to a passing score when you qualify for it and claim it as the notice explains. Scores and list numbers are posted in your OASys account, and candidates may appeal an item they believe was scored in error within the period stated in the notice.

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Online through OASys

Computer-based

Passing candidates

Qualifications, medical,

Academy training and a

during the application

multiple-choice test

ranked by final score

psychological, drug, and

12-month probation

period

background checks

Qualifications and Hiring Requirements

The Job and Its Assignment Levels

Assignmentlevel	Typicalduties
LevelI	Patrolanassignedareatoenforcelaws rules andregulationsonthemovement parking stopping , , , , ,
	andstandingofvehicles;issuesummonses;testifyathearings;reportmalfunctioningmeters signals , ,
	andsigns;operatevehiclesandradios .
LevelII	AllLevelIduties plusdirectingandcontrollingtrafficatassignedlocationstomaintaintheefficient ,
	andsafeflowofvehiclesandpedestrians Candidatesfromthecurrentlistareappointedatthislevel . .
LevelIII	Tow-related enforcement assignments that require a towing endorsement on the driver license .
LevelIV	AssignmentsthatcarryadditionalenforcementauthorityconferredbythePoliceCommissioner .

Exam at a Glance

ExamAspect	Details
Title	TrafficEnforcementAgent(NewYorkCitycivilservicetitle)
Administeredby	NYCDepartmentofCitywideAdministrativeServices(DCAS)
Employer	NewYorkCityPoliceDepartment(NYPD)trafficenforcement
Howtoapply	OnlinethroughOASysduringtheapplicationperiodintheNoticeofExamination
Applicationfee	SetineachNoticeofExamination;thecurrentnoticechargesnoapplicationfee
Testformat	Computer-based multiple choice four answer choices per question ,
Abilitiestested	WrittenComprehension WrittenExpression Memorization ProblemSensitivity InformationOrdering , , , , ,
	SpatialOrientation DeductiveReasoning ,
Passingscore	Atleast70%;passingcandidatesarerankedontheeligiblelistbyfinalscore
Testday	AdmissionNoticeavailableinOASysabouttwoweeksbeforethetest;bringonevalid unexpiredID ,
	withyourphotoandsignature Phonesandotherelectronicdevicesaresealedinapouchandcannot .
	beused
Minimumsalary	$48719peryearatAssignmentLevelIIunderthecurrentnotice ,
Trainingandprobation	Police Academy training of about 10 to 11 weeks with pay from the first day; 12 -month probationary ,
	period
Uniforms	Purchasedbytheemployeeatthetimeofemployment;auniformallowancemaybepaidlater