Exam Bulletin - Inspector, Department of Motor Vehicles

Department of Motor Vehicles

Exam Code: EX-1584

Examination Plans Included:

  • INSPECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Classification Details

INSPECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES: $4,071.00 - $4,991.00 (A) per Month
INSPECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES: $4,453.00 - $5,518.00 (B) per Month

View the INSPECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES classification specification.

Application Instructions

This is not a timed exam. If you request a Reasonable Accommodation your account will be locked and you will not be able to proceed with the exam until the request is processed.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • INSPECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

    1584

For INSPECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-01584

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00108829 - INSPECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Applicants who do not possess the license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the license prior to appointment. and

Either 1
One year of experience in the Department of Motor Vehicles performing the duties of a Motor Vehicle Field Representative, Range C, or Motor Vehicle Technician, Range B.

Or 2
Two years of experience with a governmental agency in one or a combination of the following:
  1. Inspection of business establishments for compliance with laws, rules, regulations, and standards. or
  2. In law enforcement which has included preliminary investigative work.
Or 3
Education equivalent to completion of two years (60 semester units) of college with at least 12 semester units in police science or criminology. (Students within one semester of completing the required two years of college will be admitted to the examination but must produce evidence of completion before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Position Description

00108829 - INSPECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

In an assigned district, responsible for technical services pertaining to the issuance, modification, termination, announced inspection and announced monitoring of occupational licensees under the Department's jurisdiction. Conducts on-site physical inspections of business establishments, classroom and business office reviews to ascertain compliance to departmental and legal licensing regulations, reviews documents received for completeness and acceptability, recommends issuance or denial of licenses; determines the legitimacy of applicants and business locations by reviewing applicants' background and making physical inspections of locations; assists enforcement agencies in obtaining information from departmental records involving persons or firms licensed by the Department; processes licensees out of business including demand and pick-up of departmental issued supplies; conducts reviews/audits of licensees to verify ownership structure and review/inspect all business records for compliance with DMV rules, regulations and standards; provides instruction on licensing requirements to new licensees.

Special Personal and Physical Characteristics
Firmness, tact, and neat personal appearance; ability to walk long distances; keenness of observation; willingness to travel throughout assigned work locations and work irregular hours.

Additional Desirable Qualifications
Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for optimal performance when accessing the examination.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1CalHR Online ExamN/A100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:
  1. State laws, rules and regulations related to occupational licenses granted, regulated and controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles 
  2. Rules of evidence
  3. Inspection techniques and procedures 
  4. Industry practices and inspection problems such as those encountered in the automobile, driving school and traffic violation school industries
Ability to:
  1. Learn, interpret, apply and communicate the provisions of the California Vehicle Code and related laws and regulations pertaining to the licensing of individuals and businesses licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles 
  2. Speak and write effectively, and prepare clear and concise reports
  3. Analyze situations accurately, draw sound conclusions and take effective action
  4. Think and act quickly in emergencies
  5. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental licensees and other members of the public
  6. Read and write English at a level required for successful job performance

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the INSPECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES Classification will be established for:

  • Department of Motor Vehicles

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 24 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Inspector, Department of Motor Vehicles Training and Experience Exam Preview

Section 1: Tasks

Instructions:

Rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks.

Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every question and provide relevant examples. Also, indicate the references who can verify the information provided.

In responding to each statement, you may refer to your WORK EXPERIENCE, whether paid or volunteer, your EDUCATION, and/or FORMAL TRAINING COURSES you have completed.

PLEASE NOTE: This examination is designed to gain an overall assessment of your education, training, and experience as it directly relates to the duties and the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position. Possession of specific education is not required to be successful in this examination; however, such achievements may substitute for desirable levels of experience. All components of this examination have been carefully validated by tying them directly to job requirements and documenting their relevance to the position.

Rate yourself on the following tasks using the options provided in the examination:

  1. Reviewing applications and related documents for completeness, accuracy, and acceptability under established guidelines prior to approval.
  2. Analyzing situations accurately, drawing sound conclusions, and taking effective action.
  3. Interpreting and translating technical information into common, everyday language for a variety of audiences.
  4. Organizing information to ensure accurate and clear documentation.
  5. Establishing and adhering to work plans and timelines for completion of work tasks, assignments, and/or projects.
  6. Preparing clear and concise reports and correspondence (e.g., memoranda, letters, emails) to document observations, issues, or facts; communicate with internal or external customers; or support recommendations.
  7. Cashiering or collecting and processing fees from customers in accordance with established guidelines.
  8. Conducting research to retrieve and compile information for projects or assignments.
  9. Communicating clearly and concisely to audiences with various levels of understanding (e.g., public, staff, governmental agencies) to provide information and resources; verify accuracy of information submitted; and/or address non-compliance issues.
  10. Protecting and maintaining sensitive and confidential information in accordance with established policies and procedures.
  11. Physically securing property and equipment.
  12. Utilizing available tools and resources to keep apprised of organizational changes to policies and procedures, rules, regulations; and/or make recommendations.

Testing Departments

  • Department of Motor Vehicles

Contact Information

Technical questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Department of Human Resources
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (866) 844-8671
CalCareer@CalHR.CA.GOV

Administrative questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
HRB - Talent Acquisition Unit
2415 1st Avenue, MS E678
Sacramento, CA 95818
Phone: (916) 657-7553

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State work place. Any applicant for State employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective, because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing civil service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of Motor Vehicles reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)