New Mexico MVD permit practice test
25 questions written from the New Mexico Driver Manual, covering licensing laws and penalties, safe and defensive driving, signals and pavement markings, road signs, lanes, highways and freeways and more. Pick an answer to see straight away whether you're right and why.
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Question 1Under New Mexico's graduated licensing system, what are the three levels for drivers under 18?
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B: Instructional permit, provisional license, unrestricted driver license. The three GDL levels are the instructional permit, the provisional license and the unrestricted driver license. New Mexico Driver Manual: Types of Driver Licenses — Graduated License System, page 1.
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Question 2Is it legal to drive without wearing a safety belt in New Mexico?
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B: No, it is illegal. In New Mexico, it is illegal to drive without wearing safety belts. New Mexico Driver Manual: Safety Belts and Child Restraints, page 3.
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Question 3When traffic lights are together, what is their order from bottom to top?
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B: Green, yellow, red. Traffic lights are green, yellow and red from bottom to top. New Mexico Driver Manual: Traffic Signals, page 3.
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Question 4Warning signs are usually what color and shape?
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B: Yellow with black lettering, mostly diamond-shaped. Warning signs are usually yellow with black lettering or symbols, and most are diamond shaped. New Mexico Driver Manual: Traffic Signs, page 4.
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Question 5On a road with two or more lanes in your direction, which lane should you use?
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B: The right lane, except to pass. Stay in the right lane except to pass. New Mexico Driver Manual: General Rules, page 10.
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Question 6With no signs or markings, which lane should you turn into?
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B: The lane closest to the one you came from. Turn from the lane closest to your direction and into the lane closest to the one you came from. New Mexico Driver Manual: General Rules, page 10.
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Question 7Does the law give anyone the right-of-way?
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B: No; it only says who must yield. The law says who must yield the right-of-way; it does not give anyone the right-of-way. New Mexico Driver Manual: Right-of-Way, page 11.
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Question 8What is the maximum speed in a posted New Mexico school zone?
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B: 15 mph. The maximum speed within a posted school zone is 15 mph. New Mexico Driver Manual: Speed Limits, page 12.
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Question 9In New Mexico, do not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant?
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B: 15 feet. Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. New Mexico Driver Manual: Parking, page 13.
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Question 10How much farther do high beams let you see compared with low beams?
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B: About twice as far. High beams let you see twice as far as low beams; use them whenever there are no oncoming vehicles. New Mexico Driver Manual: Use Your Lights, page 18.
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Question 11Your vehicle breaks down on the highway and you can't get it off the road. What should you do?
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B: Stop where others have a clear view, turn on flashers and place flares behind it. Stop where drivers have a clear view (not over a hill or around a curve), use flashers and set flares behind the vehicle. New Mexico Driver Manual: Letting Others Know You Are There, page 19.
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Question 12How do you use the three-second rule?
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B: When the car ahead passes a fixed point, count; if you reach it before three seconds, you are too close. Count the seconds from when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point until you reach it; less than three means too close. New Mexico Driver Manual: Space Ahead, page 23.
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Question 13How much space does the New Mexico manual say to try to give when passing a bicyclist?
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C: At least five feet. Keep a safe distance when passing a bicyclist, trying for at least five feet. New Mexico Driver Manual: Bicycles Are Vehicles, page 25.
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Question 14Alcohol is involved in about what percent of traffic crashes in which someone is killed?
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C: About 40%. Alcohol is involved in about 40% of the traffic crashes in which someone is killed. New Mexico Driver Manual: Drinking and Driving, page 28.
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Question 15What is the minimum age for a New Mexico instructional permit?
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B: 15. The minimum age for an instructional permit is 15. New Mexico Driver Manual: Instructional Permit, page 1.
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Question 16Up to what age must all children wear appropriate safety restraints while the vehicle moves?
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C: Under 12. The law requires all children under 12 to wear appropriate safety restraints while the vehicle is in motion. New Mexico Driver Manual: Safety Belts and Child Restraints, page 3.
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Question 17You are stopped and the light turns green. What must you do before going?
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B: Allow crossing traffic to clear the intersection. If you are stopped and the light turns green, you must let crossing traffic clear the intersection before you go. New Mexico Driver Manual: Traffic Signals, page 4.
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Question 18What should you do when you see a yellow diamond warning sign?
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B: Slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary. Warning signs warn of a special situation or hazard ahead; slow down and be ready to stop. New Mexico Driver Manual: Traffic Signs, page 4.
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Question 19On a road with three or more lanes in your direction and lots of entering and exiting traffic, which lane should you use?
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B: The center lane. With three or more lanes and a lot of entering or exiting traffic, use the center travel lane. New Mexico Driver Manual: General Rules, page 10.
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Question 20Why should you avoid swinging wide to the left before a right turn?
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B: Drivers behind may think you're turning left and try to pass on the right. Swinging wide may make the driver behind think you're changing lanes or turning left, and they may pass on your right. New Mexico Driver Manual: General Rules, page 10.
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Question 21Must you yield to a pedestrian who is not obeying traffic controls?
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B: Yes, you must always yield to a pedestrian. You must always yield to a pedestrian, even if the pedestrian is not obeying traffic controls. New Mexico Driver Manual: Right-of-Way, page 11.
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Question 22Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit in New Mexico business or residential areas?
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B: 30 mph. The limit is 30 mph in business or residential areas unless posted otherwise. New Mexico Driver Manual: Speed Limits, page 12.
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Question 23In New Mexico, do not park within how many feet of a crosswalk at an intersection?
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C: 25 feet. Do not park within 25 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. New Mexico Driver Manual: Parking, page 13.
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Question 24When should you dim your high beams for an oncoming vehicle?
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B: Within about one block. Dim your high beams whenever you come within about a one-block distance of an oncoming vehicle. New Mexico Driver Manual: Use Your Lights, page 18.
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Question 25If your car breaks down, may you change a tire in a traffic lane?
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B: No, never stand in the roadway or change a tire if you must be in a traffic lane. Never stand in the roadway; don't change a tire if it means being in a traffic lane. New Mexico Driver Manual: Letting Others Know You Are There, page 19.
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How to use these tests
Read each explanation, even when you get the question right: it tells you the rule and the handbook section, so you can look it up. Your answers are saved in this browser only, so the weak spots mode can give you more questions on the topics you miss. When you're scoring well, take the exam simulator: it uses 25 questions at the MVD's pass mark, since it doesn't publish the number of questions.
Our own questions, written from the New Mexico Driver Manual and checked against it. Not affiliated with the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (Taxation and Revenue Department). Found a mistake? Tell us.