All 40 New Mexico Permit Test Questions

Every question in our New Mexico bank, with the correct answer and an explanation. Free to read, no signup.

Free New Mexico Permit Practice Test 1Free New Mexico Permit Practice Test 2Free New Mexico Permit Practice Test 3New Mexico Road Signs TestGeneral road-rules questions (all states)
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Licensing & Permits

In New Mexico, the minimum age for an instructional permit is:
Answer: 15
The minimum age for an instructional permit is 15.
To obtain a New Mexico instructional permit you must pass a knowledge test and a:
Answer: Vision test
You must pass the knowledge test and a vision test.
A New Mexico permit applicant age 15+ must be enrolled in and attending:
Answer: A driver education course
You must be enrolled in and attending a driver education course.
A New Mexico instructional permit must be retained for at least:
Answer: 6 months
You must hold the instructional permit at least 6 months.
During the New Mexico permit stage, you must be supervised by a licensed driver who is at least:
Answer: 21
A supervising driver must be at least 21 and licensed, seated in the right front seat.
The minimum age for a New Mexico provisional license is:
Answer: 15 years 6 months
You may get a provisional license at 15 years 6 months if you have held the permit 6 months.
Before a New Mexico provisional license, you must complete practice driving of at least:
Answer: 50 hours (10 at night)
You need at least 50 hours of practice, including at least 10 at night.
A New Mexico provisional applicant must have no traffic conviction in the:
Answer: Prior 90 days
You must have no traffic conviction in the 90 days before applying.
A New Mexico provisional driver may not drive unsupervised between:
Answer: Midnight and 5:00 a.m.
No unsupervised driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m. (with limited exceptions).
Unless a licensed driver 21+ is present, a New Mexico provisional driver may not carry more than:
Answer: One passenger under 21 who is not immediate family
No more than one passenger under 21 who is not immediate family, unless a licensed adult 21+ is aboard.
A New Mexico unrestricted license requires holding the provisional license for:
Answer: 12 months
You must hold the provisional license for 12 months.
To be licensed in New Mexico you must pass a:
Answer: Vision screening
A vision screening is required for licensing.

Speed Limits & Speed Management

In New Mexico, the maximum speed within a school zone is:
Answer: 15 mph
The maximum speed in a school zone is 15 mph.
Unless otherwise posted, the New Mexico speed limit in business or residential areas is:
Answer: 30 mph
Business or residential areas are 30 mph unless posted otherwise.
Unless otherwise posted, the New Mexico speed limit on public highways is:
Answer: 55 mph
Public highways are 55 mph unless posted otherwise.
Unless otherwise posted, the New Mexico speed limit on rural interstate highways is:
Answer: 75 mph
Rural interstate highways are 75 mph unless posted otherwise.
A reflective orange triangle on the rear of a New Mexico vehicle means it is traveling less than:
Answer: 25 mph
The slow-moving-vehicle decal means under 25 mph.
Even at the posted New Mexico limit, in rain, snow, or fog you should:
Answer: Slow down for conditions
Reduce speed for weather and road conditions.

Alcohol, Drugs & the Law

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In New Mexico, you can be arrested for driving with a blood alcohol content of:
Answer: .08% or more
A BAC of .08% or more is unlawful (DWI).
.02under 21.08adult
In New Mexico, a driver under 21 can be arrested at a BAC of:
Answer: .02%
Under-21 drivers can be arrested at .02% BAC.
A New Mexico commercial driver is considered impaired at a BAC of:
Answer: .04%
Commercial drivers are DWI at .04%.
In New Mexico, BAC is usually determined by a:
Answer: Breath, blood, or urine test
BAC is measured by a breath, blood, or urine test.
The only thing that lowers your blood alcohol content is:
Answer: Time
Only time removes alcohol from your body.
If you plan to drink in New Mexico, the safest choice is to:
Answer: Arrange a sober ride or designated driver
Line up a sober ride before you drink.

Sharing the Road

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In New Mexico, buses and trucks carrying explosives or gasoline must stop before a railroad crossing at least:
Answer: 15 feet
Such vehicles must stop at least 15 feet from a railroad crossing.
In rural New Mexico, farm tractors and animal-drawn vehicles usually travel:
Answer: 25 mph or less
Farm tractors and animal-drawn vehicles usually go 25 mph or less.
When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren in New Mexico, you should:
Answer: Pull to the right and stop
Pull to the right edge and stop until it passes.
move over
New Mexico's Move Over law requires that, for a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights, you:
Answer: Move over a lane if safe, or slow down
Move over a lane if safe, otherwise slow down.
give a full lane
A motorcycle in New Mexico is entitled to:
Answer: A full lane of travel
Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane.

Vehicle Equipment

In New Mexico, before you drive you must:
Answer: Fasten safety belts and ensure passengers are belted or in child restraints
Fasten safety belts and make sure all passengers are belted or in child restraints.
In New Mexico, a child should never be secured in the front passenger seat, especially if the vehicle has:
Answer: An air bag
Never place a child in front of an active air bag; secure children in the rear seat.
If your turn signals fail in New Mexico, you should:
Answer: Use hand signals
Use hand signals if your turn signals fail.

Signaling & Communication

An arm extended straight out the driver's window means:
Answer: Left turn
Arm straight out = left turn.
In New Mexico you must use headlights:
Answer: At night and when visibility is reduced
Use headlights at night and whenever visibility is low.

Safe Driving

New Mexico notes you should not drive so slowly that you:
Answer: Impede the normal flow of traffic
Driving too slowly can impede the normal flow of traffic.
If you become drowsy while driving in New Mexico, you should:
Answer: Pull over safely and rest
Only rest cures drowsiness — pull over.
A safe following distance in New Mexico gives you:
Answer: Time to react and avoid a crash
Space ahead gives you time to react and avoid rear-ending others.
Keeping a safe following distance behind the vehicle ahead helps you:
Answer: React safely to sudden stops
Space ahead gives you time to react and avoid rear-ending others.

Points & Penalties

If you are involved in a crash in New Mexico, you must:
Answer: Stop and give information
Stop and exchange information at any crash.
New Mexico requires drivers to carry proof of:
Answer: Liability insurance
Proof of liability insurance is required.