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TCOLE Penal Code Practice Test

Texas Penal Code practice questions for the TCOLE Basic Peace Officer licensing exam, covering the offenses you actually book on: drug possession (PG 1–4), DWI, theft, assault and family violence, burglary, evading, weapons, and more — with statute references and a breakdown of the elements you must prove.

Free to start: answer up to 10 questions without an account and up to 30 in total with a free account. A Cadet Pass or Crash Pass unlocks the full question bank. These are independent practice questions, not actual TCOLE exam questions.

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What the Texas Penal Code section covers

This Texas Penal Code practice test draws on 257 questions across 100 topics. Every question carries the statute it comes from and an explanation of why the answer is right, so a missed question points straight at the law to review.

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Sample questions

Texas Penal Code §6.03 establishes which four culpable mental states (in order of decreasing blameworthiness)?

  1. Willfully, knowingly, recklessly, negligently
  2. Intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, with criminal negligence (correct)
  3. Premeditated, deliberate, reckless, accidental
  4. Specific, general, transferred, strict

Why: Texas recognizes four culpable mental states ranked from most to least blameworthy: intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, and with criminal negligence.

Tex. Penal Code §6.03

A driver, fully sober, runs a red light and kills a pedestrian. Investigation shows the driver looked down to change the radio station for less than two seconds. There is no evidence of recklessness. Which offense, if any, applies?

  1. Murder
  2. Manslaughter (reckless homicide)
  3. Criminally Negligent Homicide (correct)
  4. No offense — this is a civil matter only

Why: Criminally negligent homicide requires that the actor 'ought to have been aware' of a substantial and unjustifiable risk and the failure to perceive it is a gross deviation from the ordinary standard of care. Brief inattention causing death often falls here. Manslaughter requires actual awareness of the risk (recklessness), which is absent. Murder requires intent or knowledge. Grading: State jail felony.

Tex. Penal Code §19.05

Defendant possesses a homemade firearm built from a 3D-printed receiver and unregulated parts. He fires it once into a target. Which is correct under §46.01(3)?

  1. Not a firearm — must be commercially manufactured
  2. Firearm — any device DESIGNED, MADE, OR ADAPTED to expel a projectile by explosion or burning substance (correct)
  3. Not a firearm — must have a serial number
  4. Firearm only if it functions on first attempt

Why: 'Firearm' = any device designed, made, or adapted to expel a projectile through a barrel by using the energy generated by an explosion or burning substance, or any device readily convertible to that use. Commercial manufacturing, serial number, and reliability are NOT elements. The definition excludes only a firearm that has, as an integral part, a folding knife blade or other characteristics of weapons made illegal by Chapter 46 and that is an antique or curio firearm manufactured before 1899 (or a qualifying replica).

Tex. Penal Code §46.01(3)

Check answers against the official text

Each explanation cites the Texas Penal Code provision it relies on. The current official text is on the Texas Legislature’s statutes site, including Chapter 9 (justification), Chapter 22 (assaultive offenses), Chapter 31 (theft) and Chapter 49 (intoxication offenses). Texas statutes can change after each legislative session. If a question disagrees with the official text or your academy material, follow the official text and let us know.