New Mexico Permit Test (MVD Written Test) — All Questions
23 questions
You come to a red, eight-sided (octagonal) sign. What must you do?
- a.Slow down and yield only if cars are near
- b.Come to a full stop, then proceed when it is safe✓
- c.Merge to the right lane
- d.Stop only during daylight hours
A red octagon is always a STOP sign. Stop completely at the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection, then go when it is safe. (New Mexico Driver Manual, traffic signs)
A yellow diamond-shaped sign generally tells you:
- a.The legal speed limit for the road
- b.A rest area is ahead
- c.There is a hazard or change in the road ahead✓
- d.You must not pass
Yellow diamond signs are warning signs. They alert you to hazards or changes in the road so you can slow down and be ready. (New Mexico Driver Manual, warning signs)
A flashing red traffic signal means:
- a.Stop completely, then proceed when it is safe, the same as a STOP sign✓
- b.Keep moving without stopping
- c.The signal is out of service, so ignore it
- d.Speed up to clear the intersection
A flashing red light has the same meaning as a STOP sign: come to a complete stop, then go when the way is clear. (New Mexico Driver Manual, traffic signals)
A downward-pointing triangle sign means:
- a.No entry
- b.Stop and wait for a signal
- c.One-way street
- d.Yield the right of way to other traffic✓
A downward triangle is a YIELD sign. Slow down, be ready to stop, and give the right of way to traffic and pedestrians before you proceed. (New Mexico Driver Manual, regulatory signs)
An orange, diamond- or rectangular-shaped sign usually indicates:
- a.A hospital zone
- b.A construction or work zone ahead✓
- c.A scenic route
- d.A mandatory turn
Orange signs mark construction and maintenance work zones. Slow down, watch for workers and equipment, and obey any posted work-zone limits. (New Mexico Driver Manual, work zones)
Two vehicles reach a four-way stop at exactly the same time. Who goes first?
- a.The faster vehicle
- b.The larger vehicle
- c.The vehicle on the right✓
- d.The vehicle turning left
When two vehicles arrive at a four-way stop together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. (New Mexico Driver Manual, right of way)
You are turning left at a green light with oncoming traffic approaching. You must:
- a.Turn quickly before they arrive
- b.Assume oncoming drivers will stop
- c.Sound your horn and turn
- d.Yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians until it is safe✓
A driver turning left has no right of way over oncoming traffic. Wait for a safe gap and yield to pedestrians. (New Mexico Driver Manual, turning and right of way)
Under New Mexico's Move Over law, when you approach a stopped emergency or road-service vehicle with flashing lights, you should:
- a.Move over a lane if you safely can, or slow down and pass with caution✓
- b.Keep your speed and hold your lane
- c.Stop in the travel lane until it leaves
- d.Pass using the shoulder
New Mexico's Move Over law requires you to change lanes away from a stopped emergency or service vehicle when safe, or slow down and pass carefully. (New Mexico Driver Manual, Move Over law)
At an intersection with no signs or signals, you should:
- a.Always go first
- b.Yield to vehicles already in the intersection and to the vehicle on your right✓
- c.Speed up to claim the space
- d.Wait for another driver to wave you on
At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to any vehicle already there and, when arriving together, to the vehicle on your right. (New Mexico Driver Manual, right of way)
When you enter a roundabout, you must:
- a.Enter to the left and travel clockwise
- b.Always stop before entering
- c.Yield to traffic already in the roundabout and enter to the right✓
- d.Force your way in to keep traffic moving
Enter a roundabout to the right (counterclockwise) and yield to pedestrians and to vehicles already circulating before you enter. (New Mexico Driver Manual, roundabouts)
In good conditions, New Mexico recommends a following distance of at least:
- a.One second
- b.Two car lengths
- c.Three seconds✓
- d.Ten seconds
A minimum three-second following distance gives you time to react. Increase it in rain, dust, or other poor conditions. (New Mexico Driver Manual, following distance)
A school bus ahead stops and shows flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. You must:
- a.Stop and stay stopped until the lights stop flashing and the arm folds✓
- b.Pass slowly on the left
- c.Continue if you see no children
- d.Honk and drive around it
You must stop for a school bus loading or unloading with flashing red lights and stop arm out, and remain stopped until it withdraws them. (New Mexico Driver Manual, school buses)
When sharing the road with a motorcycle, you should:
- a.Follow closer because motorcycles stop faster
- b.Give a full lane and extra following distance✓
- c.Expect the rider to always use turn signals
- d.Share the lane side by side
Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane and are easy to miss. Give them room and check your blind spots before changing lanes. (New Mexico Driver Manual, sharing the road)
New Mexico texting-while-driving rule for all drivers is that:
- a.Texting is allowed at red lights only
- b.Texting is allowed below 25 mph
- c.Only new drivers are restricted
- d.Reading or sending text messages while driving is prohibited✓
New Mexico prohibits reading or sending text messages while driving. Set your phone before you drive and keep your attention on the road. (New Mexico Driver Manual, distracted driving)
The safest first action if your vehicle begins to skid is to:
- a.Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go✓
- b.Brake hard and hold the wheel straight
- c.Speed up to regain traction
- d.Close your eyes and coast
Take your foot off the accelerator and steer gently in the direction you want to go. Avoid slamming the brakes, which can worsen a skid. (New Mexico Driver Manual, skid control)
On rural interstate highways in New Mexico, the posted maximum speed can be as high as:
- a.65 mph
- b.75 mph✓
- c.80 mph
- d.85 mph
New Mexico posts up to 75 mph on rural interstates. Always obey the posted signs, which may be lower. (New Mexico Driver Manual, speed limits)
In rain, dust, or icy conditions you should:
- a.Keep the same speed and spacing
- b.Speed up to spend less time driving
- c.Follow more closely to see better
- d.Reduce speed and increase following distance✓
Posted limits assume ideal conditions. In poor weather, slow down and leave more space so you can stop safely. (New Mexico Driver Manual, adjusting to conditions)
The basic speed rule in New Mexico means you must:
- a.Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, even if below the posted limit✓
- b.Always drive exactly at the posted limit
- c.Match the speed of the fastest car
- d.Drive slowly in the left lane
The basic speed rule requires a speed that is reasonable and safe for traffic, weather, and road conditions, which may be well under the posted maximum. (New Mexico Driver Manual, speed regulation)
When you approach a marked school zone during posted hours, you should:
- a.Maintain highway speed
- b.Speed up to clear it quickly
- c.Slow to the posted reduced school-zone speed and watch for children✓
- d.Stop only if a crossing guard signals
Reduce your speed to the posted school-zone limit during school hours and be ready to stop for children and crossing guards. (New Mexico Driver Manual, school zones)
For a driver 21 or older, New Mexico's per se blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is:
- a.0.05 percent
- b.0.08 percent✓
- c.0.10 percent
- d.0.12 percent
A driver 21 or older is legally impaired at 0.08 percent BAC, and can be charged below that if actually impaired. (New Mexico Driver Manual, DWI)
For drivers under 21, New Mexico applies a lower alcohol standard of:
- a.The same 0.08 as adults
- b.0.05 percent
- c.0.02 percent (zero tolerance)✓
- d.No limit until age 21
New Mexico uses a 0.02 percent zero-tolerance limit for drivers under 21. Any measurable alcohol can lead to license action. (New Mexico Driver Manual, underage DWI)
A New Mexico provisional (intermediate) license holder generally may not:
- a.Drive on any highway
- b.Drive with a parent in the car
- c.Ever drive to school
- d.Drive between midnight and 5 a.m. or carry more than one passenger under 21, with limited exceptions✓
During the provisional stage, driving is generally restricted from midnight to 5 a.m. and to no more than one passenger under 21, with exceptions such as family, a licensed adult present, or work and school needs. (New Mexico Driver Manual, Graduated Driver License)
By driving on New Mexico roads, the Implied Consent Act means you have agreed to:
- a.Submit to chemical testing for alcohol or drugs if lawfully arrested for DWI✓
- b.Waive your right to a license
- c.Allow searches of your home
- d.Pay all future fines in advance
Under Implied Consent, driving means you consent to breath or blood testing if arrested for DWI. Refusing leads to an automatic license revocation. (New Mexico Driver Manual, Implied Consent)