• 127 questions

TCOLE Practice Test: Texas Peace Officer Law Questions

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Which object is a "deadly weapon" under the Texas Penal Code whatever the way it is used?

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Bank checked October 4, 2026.

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All 127 questions

Penal Code basics: definitions, mental states and defenses 20

  • A person says he did not know a Texas law existed. What does section 8.03 of the Penal Code say of that claim? Texas Penal Code section 8.03(a)
  • A tire iron is swung at a person's head. On what ground can it be a "deadly weapon" under the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 1.07(a)(17)(B)
  • An undercover Texas officer merely gives a person the chance to commit an offense. Is that entrapment under section 8.06 of the Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 8.06(a)
  • Section 8.07 of the Texas Penal Code bars prosecution, with listed exceptions, for an offense committed below what age? Texas Penal Code section 8.07(a)
  • The Texas Penal Code lists four parts of an "element of offense": the forbidden conduct, the required culpability, any required result, and what? Texas Penal Code section 1.07(a)(22)
  • Under section 6.03 of the Texas Penal Code, when does a person act "intentionally" as to a result? Texas Penal Code section 6.03(a)
  • Under section 6.03 of the Texas Penal Code, when does a person act "knowingly" as to a result of his conduct? Texas Penal Code section 6.03(b)
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Penal Code basics: definitions, mental states and defenses, continued

  • What counts as "bodily injury" in section 1.07 of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 1.07(a)(8)
  • What does section 8.04 of the Texas Penal Code say of voluntary intoxication? Texas Penal Code section 8.04(a)
  • What is "consent" as section 1.07 of the Texas Penal Code uses the word? Texas Penal Code section 1.07(a)(11)
  • What kind of belief does the mistake of fact defense in section 8.02 of the Texas Penal Code rest on? Texas Penal Code section 8.02(a)
  • What threat supports the duress defense to a felony under section 8.05 of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 8.05(a)
  • Which four culpable mental states does section 6.02 of the Texas Penal Code name? Texas Penal Code section 6.02(a)
  • Which injury meets the Texas Penal Code definition of "serious bodily injury"? Texas Penal Code section 1.07(a)(46)
  • Which object is a "deadly weapon" under the Texas Penal Code whatever the way it is used? Texas Penal Code section 1.07(a)(17)(A)
  • Which offense is a "felony" as section 1.07 of the Texas Penal Code uses the word? Texas Penal Code section 1.07(a)(23)
  • Which place does the Texas Penal Code definition of "public place" name as included? Texas Penal Code section 1.07(a)(40)
  • Which words mark "criminal negligence" in section 6.03 of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 6.03(d)
  • Which words mark "recklessly" in section 6.03 of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 6.03(c)
  • Whose belief sets the standard for "reasonable belief" in the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 1.07(a)(42)

Punishment ranges (Penal Code chapter 12) 14

  • An adult is found guilty of a capital felony in Texas and the state does not seek death. What is the punishment? Texas Penal Code section 12.31(a)
  • Into how many classes does the Texas Penal Code sort misdemeanors? Texas Penal Code section 12.03(a)
  • The Texas Penal Code calls an offense a misdemeanor and names no class or punishment. What class is it? Texas Penal Code section 12.03(b)
  • What does section 12.03 of the Texas Penal Code say about a conviction of a Class C misdemeanor? Texas Penal Code section 12.03(c)
  • What is the confinement range for a state jail felony in Texas? Texas Penal Code section 12.35(a)
  • What is the highest fine for a Class A misdemeanor in Texas? Texas Penal Code section 12.21
  • What is the highest fine for a Class B misdemeanor in Texas? Texas Penal Code section 12.22
  • What is the highest fine that may be added to a first, second or third degree felony sentence in Texas? Texas Penal Code section 12.32(b)
  • What is the longest jail term for a Class A misdemeanor in Texas? Texas Penal Code section 12.21
  • What is the longest jail term for a Class B misdemeanor in Texas? Texas Penal Code section 12.22
  • What is the prison range for a first degree felony in Texas? Texas Penal Code section 12.32(a)
  • What is the prison range for a second degree felony in Texas? Texas Penal Code section 12.33(a)
  • What is the prison range for a third degree felony in Texas? Texas Penal Code section 12.34(a)
  • What punishment does the Texas Penal Code set for a Class C misdemeanor? Texas Penal Code section 12.23

Justification and use of force (Penal Code chapter 9) 19

  • A person is cursed at and nothing more. Is force in reply justified under section 9.31 of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 9.31(b)(1)
  • A person is unlawfully dispossessed of movable property in Texas. When must force to recover it be used under section 9.41(b)? Texas Penal Code section 9.41(b)
  • A person knows a Texas peace officer is arresting him and believes the arrest is unlawful. May he use force to resist, absent excessive force by the officer? Texas Penal Code section 9.31(b)(2)
  • Before using force to make an arrest, what must a Texas peace officer do under section 9.51(a) unless it is already known or cannot be made known? Texas Penal Code section 9.51(a)(2)
  • By what measure does section 9.31 of the Texas Penal Code justify force in self-defense? Texas Penal Code section 9.31(a)
  • For what purpose does section 9.41(a) of the Texas Penal Code justify force by a person in lawful possession of land? Texas Penal Code section 9.41(a)
  • Must a Texas peace officer retreat before using deadly force that section 9.51(c) justifies? Texas Penal Code section 9.51(e)
  • Section 9.31(c) of the Texas Penal Code justifies resisting an arrest in one case. What must the officer have done first? Texas Penal Code section 9.31(c)
  • Section 9.42 of the Texas Penal Code lists offenses for deadly force to protect property. Which two carry the words "during the nighttime"? Texas Penal Code section 9.42(2)(A)
  • Section 9.51(c) of the Texas Penal Code allows deadly force to make an arrest in two cases. Which is one of them? Texas Penal Code section 9.51(c)(1)
  • What does the public duty justification in section 9.21 of the Texas Penal Code turn on? Texas Penal Code section 9.21(a)
  • What force may a guard use to stop an escape from a Texas correctional facility under section 9.52 of the Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 9.52
  • What makes force "deadly force" for the justification chapter of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 9.01(3)
  • What must a Texas peace officer reasonably believe about an arrest for force to be justified under section 9.51(a)(1)? Texas Penal Code section 9.51(a)(1)
  • What must the actor reasonably believe about stepping in, to defend a third person under section 9.33 of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 9.33
  • What must the actor reasonably believe for the necessity justification in section 9.22 of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 9.22
  • What risk, if the arrest is delayed, is the second ground for deadly force by a peace officer in section 9.51(c) of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 9.51(c)(2)
  • When is deadly force justified under the public duty section, 9.21, of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 9.21(c)
  • Which offense is on the section 9.32 list of crimes whose imminent commission deadly force may be used to prevent in Texas? Texas Penal Code section 9.32(a)(2)(B)

Offenses: assault, burglary, trespass, intoxication, obstruction 34

  • A person is told by the owner to leave a store in Texas and stays. Which words of section 30.05(a) fit the conduct? Texas Penal Code section 30.05(a)
  • A person knowingly points a firearm at another and says he thought it was unloaded. What does section 22.05(c) of the Texas Penal Code presume? Texas Penal Code section 22.05(c)
  • A person lawfully arrested in Texas refuses to give a name. Which three items does section 38.02(a) of the Penal Code name? Texas Penal Code section 38.02(a)
  • A person lawfully detained in Texas gives a false name. What class of offense is that under section 38.02, when the person is no fugitive? Texas Penal Code section 38.02(c)
  • A person reaches one arm through an open window of a house in Texas. Is that an "entry" for burglary under section 30.02(b)? Texas Penal Code section 30.02(b)
  • A Texas driver convicted of driving while intoxicated had an open container in immediate possession. What minimum confinement does section 49.04(c) set? Texas Penal Code section 49.04(c)
  • A Texas driver keeps an opened bottle of wine in a locked glove compartment. Does section 49.031 of the Penal Code treat that as the passenger area? Texas Penal Code section 49.031(a)(2)
  • A urine specimen is analyzed in a Texas intoxication case. Section 49.01 of the Penal Code counts grams of alcohol in what amount of urine? Texas Penal Code section 49.01(1)
  • At what alcohol concentration does driving while intoxicated become a Class A misdemeanor under section 49.04(d) of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 49.04(d)
  • Does the Texas open container offense in section 49.031 apply when the vehicle is parked on a public highway? Texas Penal Code section 49.031(b)
  • How does chapter 30 of the Texas Penal Code define a "habitation"? Texas Penal Code section 30.01(1)
  • How does section 22.05(a) of the Texas Penal Code define deadly conduct? Texas Penal Code section 22.05(a)
  • How intoxicated must a person be in a public place for public intoxication under section 49.02 of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 49.02(a)
  • Is a bar licensed under the Alcoholic Beverage Code a "public place" for the Texas public intoxication offense? Texas Penal Code section 49.02(a-1)
  • Is it a defense to resisting arrest under section 38.03 of the Texas Penal Code that the arrest was unlawful? Texas Penal Code section 38.03(b)
  • Purple paint marks give notice against trespass in Texas. What is the smallest mark section 30.05 of the Penal Code allows? Texas Penal Code section 30.05(b)(2)(D)
  • What alcohol concentration meets the definition of "intoxicated" in section 49.01 of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 49.01(2)(B)
  • What class of offense is an assault by threat in Texas, with no listed exception? Texas Penal Code section 22.01(c)
  • What class of offense is an assault causing bodily injury in Texas, with no listed exception? Texas Penal Code section 22.01(b)
  • What culpable mental state does interference with public duties carry in section 38.15 of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 38.15(a)
  • What degree of offense is aggravated assault in Texas, with no listed exception? Texas Penal Code section 22.02(b)
  • What degree of offense is burglary of a building that is not a habitation in Texas, with no listed exception? Texas Penal Code section 30.02(c)(1)
  • What degree of offense is burglary of a habitation in Texas, with no listed exception? Texas Penal Code section 30.02(c)(2)
  • What does "entry" mean for criminal trespass under section 30.05 of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 30.05(b)(1)
  • What is the base class and minimum confinement for driving while intoxicated in Texas under section 49.04(b)? Texas Penal Code section 49.04(b)
  • What must a person use against the officer for the offense of resisting arrest under section 38.03 of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 38.03(a)
  • What must the person know for evading arrest or detention under section 38.04 of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 38.04(a)
  • What turns an assault into aggravated assault under section 22.02 of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 22.02(a)
  • When is resisting arrest a felony of the third degree under section 38.03 of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 38.03(d)
  • Where must the motor vehicle be operated for driving while intoxicated under section 49.04 of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 49.04(a)
  • Which contact is assault under section 22.01(a)(3) of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 22.01(a)(3)
  • Which mental states does the bodily injury form of assault carry in section 22.01(a)(1) of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 22.01(a)(1)
  • With what intent must a person break into a vehicle for burglary of vehicles under section 30.04 of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 30.04(a)
  • With what intent must a person enter a habitation for burglary under section 30.02(a)(1) of the Texas Penal Code? Texas Penal Code section 30.02(a)(1)

Arrest with and without a warrant (Code of Criminal Procedure) 25

  • A felony is committed in view of a Texas magistrate. What lets a peace officer arrest without a warrant under article 14.02? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 14.02
  • A Penal Code section 25.07 offense is committed in the presence of a Texas peace officer. What does article 14.03(b) direct? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 14.03(b)
  • A Texas officer arrests on a warrant he does not have with him. What must he tell the defendant under article 15.26? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 15.26
  • A Texas officer making a warrantless arrest may enter a residence in two cases under article 14.05. Which is one? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 14.05
  • A Texas peace officer charges a person with a Class C misdemeanor other than public intoxication. What may the officer do instead of taking the person before a magistrate? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 14.06(b)
  • A Texas peace officer is investigating a report of family violence. What does article 14.03(c) direct, if reasonably necessary to verify it? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 14.03(c)
  • A Texas peace officer makes an arrest outside his jurisdiction under article 14.03(d). What must he do as soon as practicable? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 14.03(d)
  • Article 14.03(a)(1) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure lets a peace officer arrest persons found where? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 14.03(a)(1)
  • Article 14.031 lets a Texas peace officer release a publicly intoxicated adult in place of arrest. To whom, in the first listed case? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 14.031(a)
  • Article 14.04 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure allows a warrantless arrest on a credible person's report of a felony. What else must be shown? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 14.04
  • For which offenses may a Texas peace officer arrest without a warrant under article 14.01(b)? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 14.01(b)
  • For which offenses may any person, not only a peace officer, arrest without a warrant under article 14.01(a) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 14.01(a)
  • How does article 14.051 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure define "fresh pursuit" by an officer from another state? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 14.051(b)
  • How does article 15.01 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure define a "warrant of arrest"? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 15.01
  • How must a complaint be signed under article 15.05 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 15.05
  • Must a Texas officer have the arrest warrant in his possession at the time of the arrest under article 15.26? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 15.26
  • The name of the person to be arrested is unknown. What must a Texas arrest warrant give under article 15.02? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 15.02
  • What limit does article 15.24 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure put on force used in making an arrest? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 15.24
  • What must a Texas peace officer have to arrest without a warrant for an offense involving family violence under article 14.03(a)(4)? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 14.03(a)(4)
  • When is a person "arrested" under article 15.22 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 15.22
  • When may a Texas officer break down the door of a house to make an arrest under article 15.25? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 15.25
  • Which hearing does article 15.17 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure have the magistrate tell an arrested person he has a right to? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 15.17(a)
  • Which right does article 15.17 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure have the magistrate tell an arrested person about an interview? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 15.17(a)
  • Who must sign a Texas arrest warrant under article 15.02 of the Code of Criminal Procedure? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 15.02
  • Within what outer time limit must an arrested person be taken before a magistrate under article 14.06 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure? Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 14.06(a)

Traffic arrests and children in custody 15

  • A Texas driver arrested for a traffic misdemeanor refuses to sign a promise to appear. What does section 543.002 of the Transportation Code direct? Texas Transportation Code section 543.002(a)
  • A Texas officer may give a child a warning notice in place of custody under section 52.01(c). Who must have approved the agency's guidelines? Texas Family Code section 52.01(c)(2)
  • A Texas officer releases a child in custody to a parent under section 52.02(a)(1) of the Family Code. On what promise? Texas Family Code section 52.02(a)(1)
  • A Texas officer takes a child into custody. To what one place may the child first be taken, before the steps of section 52.02(a) of the Family Code? Texas Family Code section 52.02(a)
  • For how long at most may a child be detained in a juvenile processing office in Texas? Texas Family Code section 52.025(d)
  • For which offense must a Texas officer issue a written notice to appear, if the person signs the promise, under section 543.004? Texas Transportation Code section 543.004(a)
  • How does a person arrested for a traffic offense in Texas secure release under section 543.005 of the Transportation Code? Texas Transportation Code section 543.005
  • How far ahead must the time in a Texas traffic notice to appear be set under section 543.006 of the Transportation Code? Texas Transportation Code section 543.006(a)
  • What does section 52.01(b) of the Texas Family Code say about taking a child into custody? Texas Family Code section 52.01(b)
  • What does section 52.025(c) of the Texas Family Code say about a child alone in a juvenile processing office? Texas Family Code section 52.025(c)
  • What does section 543.004(c) of the Texas Transportation Code say of the offenses it lists for a written notice to appear? Texas Transportation Code section 543.004(c)
  • What may a juvenile processing office not be under section 52.025(a) of the Texas Family Code? Texas Family Code section 52.025(a)
  • What must a Texas law-enforcement officer have to take a child into custody under section 52.01(a)(3) of the Family Code? Texas Family Code section 52.01(a)(3)
  • Which traffic charge sends an arrested person immediately before a magistrate under section 543.002(a)(1) of the Texas Transportation Code? Texas Transportation Code section 543.002(a)(1)
  • Whom may a Texas peace officer arrest without a warrant under section 543.001 of the Transportation Code? Texas Transportation Code section 543.001

How this list was compiled: Texas Penal Code chapters 1, 6, 8, 9, 12, 22, 30, 38 and 49; Code of Criminal Procedure chapters 14 and 15; Transportation Code chapter 543; Family Code chapter 52; each read 2026-10-04 at tcss.legis.texas.gov, the state's statute site Licence: Questions written for this site from Texas statutes, which are public law. No question is copied from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, an academy, a prep book or any test.

How it works

This unofficial TCOLE practice test holds only the law part of Texas peace officer training: the Penal Code, arrest, traffic arrests and juvenile custody. Every question comes from a Texas code chapter read on October 4, 2026.

Read the full guide

What the questions cover

The Start from menu has six parts: Penal Code definitions, mental states and defenses; punishment ranges; justification and use of force; offenses such as assault, burglary, trespass and driving while intoxicated; arrest with and without a warrant; and traffic arrests and children in custody. Each answer links to its chapter.

What is left out

Law only, and only part of it. There are no questions on drug schedules, search warrants, rules of the road or court decisions, and none on tactics, driving, firearms handling or first aid. The commission's exam and course materials were not seen, so no question repeats them.

  • Chapter 9 questions turn on what the actor reasonably believes.
  • Burglary counts any part of the body as entry. Criminal trespass needs the entire body.
  • Wrong answers go to Missed until you answer them right.

Questions and answers

Is this TCOLE practice test from the commission?

No. It is unofficial practice written from Texas statutes. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement did not write or review this page, and no question comes from the commission's licensing exam, an academy or a prep book.

How many questions are on the real TCOLE exam?

This page prints no count and no passing score. Occupations Code section 1701.304, read October 4, 2026, says the commission prescribes the content of each licensing examination and the standards for acceptable performance.

What does this TCOLE practice test cover?

Texas Penal Code basics, punishment ranges, use of force, common offenses, arrest with and without a warrant, traffic arrests and children in custody. Each question names the code section it was written from.

Does this bank cover the whole Basic Peace Officer Course?

No. It covers thirteen chapters of four Texas codes. It has no drug schedule, search warrant, rules of the road or case law questions. It is practice reading, not legal advice and not training.

What is a Class C misdemeanor in Texas?

Penal Code section 12.23 sets a fine not to exceed $500 and names no jail term. Section 12.03 adds that conviction of a Class C misdemeanor does not impose any legal disability or disadvantage.

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