New Mexico MVD License Tests & Permit Practice
Results
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#1. To avoid getting tired on a long trip, you should:
Take breaks. Stop every hour or so or when you need to. Walk around, get some fresh air, and have some coffee, soda, or juice. The few minutes spent on a rest break can save your life.
#2. When approaching deer standing near the roadside, you should:
Scan the road as you drive. Watch the edges of the highway for wildlife that are about to cross. Watch for animal crossing signs. These signs warn you that vehicles have hit wildlife in this area before. And if you see animals that have been hit or animals standing beside the road, slow down.
#3. When you park on a hill headed downhill, and there is no curb, you should turn your front wheels:
Headed downhill with no curb, turn the wheels to the right or side of the road, so the car will roll away from the center of the road if the brakes fail.
#4. Who has always the right-of-way on roadways in this state?
The law says who must yield the right of way. It does not give anyone the right-of-way.
Remember, right-of-way is something to be given, not taken.
#5. What can you do to help prevent injured persons from going into shock at the scene of an accident?
To prevent an injured person from going into shock, cover the individual with a blanket or warm clothing such as a coat or jacket.
#6. If you have a tire blowout while driving, you should:
If a tire suddenly goes flat, hold the steering wheel tightly and keep the vehicle going straight. Slow down gradually. Take your foot off the gas pedal and use the brakes lightly. When your vehicle is under control, pull off the road in a safe place. Do not stop on the road if at all possible.
Remember, it is dangerous to brake or steer off the road before your vehicle is under control.
#7. You approach this road sign. What should you do?
Pedestrian Crossing. Yield to pedestrians walking in the crosswalk. Slow Down.
#8. When approaching a stopped school bus with flashing red lights at a four-way intersection, you must stop:
You must stop for a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing whether it is on your side of the road, the opposite side of the road or at an intersection you are approaching.
#9. Which car or cars are driving in the truck's blind spots?
A truck’s blind spots, the no-zone, are danger spots because truck drivers cannot see vehicles in these areas.
Typically, the larger the vehicle, the larger the blind spots.
Do not drive in the blind spots. You might be in the way if the trucker swerves to avoid a hazard.
Study the illustration in the driver’s manual.
#10. This sign (a flashing yellow X) means:
A green arrow means you can use the lane beneath it.
A red X means you may not.
A flashing yellow X means the lane is only for turning.
A steady yellow X means that the use of the lane is changing, and you should move out of it as soon as it is safe to do so.
#11. A posted speed limit like this is:
You must comply with speed limits.
Remember, the maximum limit should be driven only in ideal driving conditions and you must reduce your speed when conditions require it. For example, you should reduce your speed when the roadway is slippery, during rain, snow, icy conditions, or when it is foggy and difficult to see clearly down the road.
#12. When overtaking another vehicle on a two-lane road, you must:
Signal properly to show you intend to change lanes.
#13. A vehicle carrying this sign is likely to operate at a speed of:
A reflective orange triangle on the rear of a vehicle means the vehicle is traveling less than 25 miles per hour. A driver may see this sign on construction equipment or in rural areas on farm vehicles, or on horse drawn wagons or carriages.
#14. Some drivers must always stop before they cross train tracks. What vehicles are not required to stop?
School buses, taxis, and other vehicles for hire that carry passengers and trucks that transport explosives, gasoline or other dangerous materials must stop at least 15 feet from a railroad crossing before proceeding. Further, a school bus driver must open the doors of the school bus before crossing.
Remember, if you are following this type of vehicle you should slow down and be prepared to stop. Do not pass another vehicle at a railroad crossing.
#15. If your headlights let you see about 400 feet ahead at night, you should never drive faster than:
It is harder to see at night. You must be closer to an object to see it at night than during the day. You must be able to stop within the distance you can see ahead with your headlights. Your headlights will let you see about 400 feet ahead. You should drive at a speed that allows you to stop within this distance or about 50 mph
#16. What do the light gray areas in the picture mark?
The rear corners of your vehicle are known as blind spots because you cannot see them through your mirrors. You must turn your head and look to see vehicles in your blind spot.
#17. This sign tells you:
No U-Turn.
You cannot make a complete turn to go in the opposite direction where this sign is displayed.
Remember, regulatory signs with a red circle with a red slash over a symbol prohibit certain actions.
#18. For an average person, how many minutes does the body need to get rid of one drink?
Your body gets rid of one alcoholic drink per hour.
Remember, time is the only thing that will sober you up.
#19. Before applying for a provisional license under the graduated licensing law, you must have not been convicted of a traffic violation during the last:
The driver must have not been convicted of a traffic violation in the 90 days prior to applying for a provisional license.
#20. If you are hit from the rear, your body will be thrown:
If your vehicle is hit from the rear, your body will be thrown backwards. Press yourself against the back of your seat and put your head against the head restraint. Be ready to apply your brakes so that you will not be pushed into another vehicle.
#21. A diamond symbol often mark high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) or carpool lanes. Such a symbol may also indicate that the lane is reserved for:
On various roadways, one or more lanes may be reserved for special vehicles. Reserved lanes are marked by signs stating that the lane is reserved for special use and often have a white diamond posted at the side of the road or painted on the road surface.
#22. When would it be best to use low-beam headlights instead of high beams?
Use your high beams whenever there are no oncoming vehicles. High beams let you see twice as far as low beams. It is important to use high beams on unfamiliar roads, in construction areas or where there may be people along the side of the road.
Dim your lights when necessary. Do not use high beams in fog or when it is snowing or raining hard.
#23. What color are traffic signs that show construction and maintenance warnings?
Work area signs are construction, maintenance, or emergency operations signs. They are generally diamond or rectangular shaped, orange with black letters or symbols and warn you that people are working on or near the roadway. These warnings include reduced speed, detours, slow moving construction equipment and poor or suddenly changing road surfaces.
#24. When following a large truck that blocks your view ahead, you should:
You should allow a four-second or more following distance when following large vehicles that block your view ahead. The extra space allows you to see around the vehicle.
Remember, if you drive too close behind a truck, the trucker may not know you are there.
#25. A traffic light with a green arrow means:
A green arrow means you can safely turn in the direction of the arrow. There should be no on-coming or crossing traffic while the arrow is green. This is known as a protected turn.
Remember, the green arrow does not mean that ALL other traffic is stopped by a red light.
| This New Mexico MVD Sample Test | |
|---|---|
| Questions on each practice test: | 25 |
| Question pool: | 500+ |
| Type of test: | Randomized multiple-choice |
Facts about Your New Mexico MVD Knowledge Test
| New Mexico Written Knowledge Test for a Permit or Driver’s License | |
|---|---|
| Number of questions on exam: | 50 questions |
| Passing score: | 70 percent |
| Correct answers to pass: | 35 |
| Allotted time to complete test: | No limit |
| Wait time before retest: | 2nd test same day, but no more than two tests in same week |
The New Mexico Practice Test
This NM practice test for a driver’s license or learner’s permit has 25 random multiple-choice questions from an extensive database (the real exam has 50 questions).
After each question, the instant feedback tells you whether your answer is correct. When you miss a question, there is also a short explanation that can help you understand the correct answer. You will see your final score at the end of the test.
The test is a learning tool that only includes some questions that can appear on your official MVD exam. However, with the extensive database, the test will cover all essential items on the test and will match the contents of the New Mexico Driver Manual.
Before practicing, you should get the latest New Mexico Driver Manual version. You can get it from your driver education course provider, a local MVD office, or download it online from http://mvd.newmexico.gov.
NM MVD updates the manual sparingly, but you should ensure you have the latest version.
With a passing score of a mere 70% on the actual exam, it is tempting to stop practicing when you reach the passing score. We recommend that you aim higher than 70% on the practice test. The failure rate on the knowledge test in New Mexico is still high.
You can take this random practice test repeatedly; there is no limit. Take as many tests as you need to feel confident with all questions and answers.
The article about risky study tactics can help you avoid some less successful study habits.
Who Must Take the Knowledge Exam?
New drivers.
All persons applying for a first-time New Mexico driver’s license must pass the knowledge test.
Drivers with a license expired 5 years or more.
If you let a New Mexico or out-of-state Driver’s License expire for five years or more, you must apply for a new license and retake all tests.
Drivers with a foreign license.
All applicants that hold a license from a country other than the United States and Canada must pass the written knowledge test and a road skills test before MVD issues a New Mexico Driver’s License.
Drivers with a revoked license.
If you had your driver’s license revoked or suspended for more than five years, you must take the written knowledge test again. It includes a revocation due to a DWI conviction unless you maintain the driving privilege with an ignition interlock license during the revocation period. If a license revocation due to a DWI conviction is less than one year, MVD will not require a new test.
Who are Exempt from Taking the Knowledge Exam?
MVD will not ask you to take the written test if you move to New Mexico and have a valid out-of-state or valid license from Canada. Out-of-state licenses include the District of Columbia and all U.S. territories.
The Official New Mexico Written Test
The official New Mexico knowledge test now has 50 questions, and you must correctly answer 35 questions (70%).
Test questions are from the New Mexico Driver Manual and administered on computer-based kiosk machines. You have two hours to complete your test. Note: you are typically not allowed to start the test after 3 p.m. It is to make sure you have enough time to complete the test.
The test is available in the following languages:
English
French
Italian
Spanish
Vietnamese
You can take the test at an MVD location or as part of your driver education course.
Some driver education schools are licensed and contracted with MVD to issue learner permits.
If you visit an MVD office for your permit or license, you should schedule an appointment here
The knowledge test is closed-book; you cannot bring your manual or any notes or use electronic devices during the exam.
What Happens if You Fail the First Time?
If you fail the test, you can retake it the same day, but not more than twice during the week. You can, for example, take it twice on a Friday and then again on a Monday.
But if you fail your New Mexico knowledge exam three times, you must wait six months (from the date of the first test attempt) before you can take a new test.
What Happens after You have Passed the Test?
If you are at least 15 years old and under 18 years old, you must participate in a 3-step Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program until you meet the requirements for an unrestricted license. A driver education course approved by the Traffic Safety Bureau is mandatory if you are under 18. Such a course includes DWI education and practice driving. When you apply for a license, you must also have a consent form signed by your parent or guardian.
After passing the vision screening and the knowledge test, MVD will issue your first learner’s permit, also known as an instructional permit.
A permit allows you to practice driving while supervised by another driver at least 21 years old and licensed to drive that vehicle. The supervising driver must always sit in the front seat beside you when you drive.
You must hold your instructional permit for at least six months.
Step 2: Provisional License
The minimum age to receive a provisional license is 15 years and six months if you have held an instructional permit for six months.
MVD will check that you have completed at least 50 hours of driving, of which 10 hours must be nighttime.
You cannot have been convicted of a traffic violation in the 90 days before applying for a provisional license.
With a provisional license, you can drive without a supervising driver, but not at night. With a few exceptions, there is a night curfew between midnight and 5:00 a.m.
Step 3: Unrestricted License
To be eligible for the full and unrestricted license under the GDL program, you must:
- Have held a provisional license for 12 months immediately before applying.
- Not have been convicted of a traffic violation 90 days immediately before applying.
- Have no traffic violations pending.
- Not have been adjudicated guilty or have an offense pending involving the use of alcohol or drugs during the provisional period.
If You are 18 Years or Older
If you are 18 years old, the GDL program does not apply. After receiving a permit, you can schedule the road skills test. There is no specific wait time.
A permit is unnecessary if you hold a valid license from another country.
All applicants between 18 and 24 years must enroll in and complete a DWl Awareness Program before MVD issues a license.
