Free General Well Driller Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the General Well Driller Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1Which excavation falls within Texas's statutory definition of a water well?

   1. A. An excavation constructed to explore for or produce groundwater
   2. B. A quarry blast hole that never produces groundwater
   3. C. An oil exploration bore that never produces groundwater
   4. D. An injection source well regulated only under Natural Resources Code §91.101

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Texas Occupations Code §1901.001(14) defines a water well as “an artificial excavation constructed to explore for or produce groundwater.” The three excluded-purpose holes do not satisfy that definition.

   Reference: Texas Constitution and Statutes — §1901.001(14)

2. 2At what noise exposure does OSHA require a continuing hearing-conservation program?

   1. A. An 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA or a 50% dose
   2. B. Any instantaneous sound above 70 dBA
   3. C. A 12-hour TWA of 80 dBA
   4. D. Only sounds above 140 dBA

   Answer: A

   Explanation: OSHA 1910.95(c)(1) requires the program whenever exposures “equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels” or a 50% dose.

   Reference: 1910.95 - Occupational noise exposure. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration — §1910.95(c)(1)

3. 3When does USGS classify a water-bearing rock as an aquifer?

   1. A. When it readily transmits water to wells and springs
   2. B. When it stores water but transmits none to wells
   3. C. When it is unsaturated and isolated from springs
   4. D. When it is impermeable but lies below a well

   Answer: A

   Explanation: USGS explains that water-bearing rock able to transmit water to wells and springs qualifies because “it is called an aquifer.”

   Reference: Aquifers and Groundwater | U.S. Geological Survey — Groundwater and aquifers

4. 4Before moving drilling equipment, what does OSHA's well-drilling eTool recommend?

   1. A. Inspect it to ensure it is as specified and right for the job
   2. B. Replace all parts regardless of condition
   3. C. Load first and inspect after rig-up
   4. D. Rely solely on the prior site's inspection

   Answer: A

   Explanation: OSHA's Equipment Condition page says: “Perform inspections before equipment is moved to ensure the equipment is as specified, and right for the job.”

   Reference: eTool : Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing - General Safety - Equipment Condition | Occupational Safety and Health Administration — Pre-job planning and equipment selection

5. 5Who is excluded from the Texas definition of a water well driller?

   1. A. A contractor supervising drilling for a customer
   2. B. An owner drilling on the owner's property for the owner's own use
   3. C. An operator drilling a well for another landowner
   4. D. A drilling supervisor primarily responsible for operations

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Section 1901.001(15)(A) excludes a person who “drills, bores, cores, or constructs a water well on the person's own property for the person's own use.”

   Reference: Texas Constitution and Statutes — §1901.001(15)(A)

6. 6A licensed drilling contractor supervising a crew has information indicating exposure may reach an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA. Which exposure-assessment step is required?

   1. A. Rely on the equipment maker's sound rating without field measurements
   2. B. A noise-exposure monitoring program
   3. C. Wait for a confirmed hearing loss before measuring exposure
   4. D. Measure only peak sound and omit representative employee exposure

   Answer: B

   Explanation: OSHA 1910.95(d)(1) says: “the employer shall develop and implement a monitoring program.”

   Reference: 1910.95 - Occupational noise exposure. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration — §1910.95(d)(1)

7. 7In groundwater geology, what physical quantity does porosity measure?

   1. A. The rate of pumping
   2. B. The water-bearing capacity of subsurface rock
   3. C. The water's dissolved-mineral mass
   4. D. The inclination of a formation

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The USGS glossary defines porosity as “a measure of the water-bearing capacity of subsurface rock.”

   Reference: Water Science Glossary | U.S. Geological Survey — P — porosity

8. 8How should a service rig be moved backward at the well site?

   1. A. Stop and reposition so the rig can approach the wellhead forward
   2. B. Use a ground guide while backing the rig
   3. C. Back using the camera display without a ground guide
   4. D. Sound the horn and back using mirrors without a ground guide

   Answer: B

   Explanation: OSHA's Transporting Rig and Rigging Up guidance says: “Use a ground guide while backing the rig.”

   Reference: OSHA Transport Rigup — Transporting rig — Possible Solutions

9. 9Under Texas law, when may a person act or offer to act as a driller?

   1. A. After submitting an application
   2. B. After accumulating one year of experience
   3. C. Only while holding the required Texas driller license
   4. D. Whenever the landowner signs a waiver

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Section 1901.151 says a person “may not act or offer to act as a driller unless the person holds a license” issued under the chapter and its rules.

   Reference: Texas Constitution and Statutes — §1901.151

10. 10When is representative personal noise sampling called for instead of area monitoring?

    1. A. Only when all workers are stationary
    2. B. Whenever the shift is shorter than eight hours
    3. C. When mobility, sound variation, or impulse noise makes area monitoring generally inappropriate
    4. D. Only after an OSHA citation

    Answer: C

    Explanation: OSHA 1910.95(d)(1)(ii) calls for representative personal sampling where “high worker mobility, significant variations in sound level, or a significant component of impulse noise make area monitoring generally inappropriate.”

    Reference: 1910.95 - Occupational noise exposure. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration — §1910.95(d)(1)(ii)