New Mexico MVD Permit Practice Test 1: 50 Questions
Practice Test 1 has 50 multiple-choice questions on New Mexico driving rules, including driving speed based on conditions, New Mexico BAC limit, handheld texting prohibition and seat belt law. Each answer is explained as soon as you pick it, and every question is listed with its answer in the study guide below.
More New Mexico Practice Tests
What Practice Test 1 Covers
The questions in this test ask about:
- Driving Speed Based on Conditions
- New Mexico BAC Limit
- Handheld Texting Prohibition
- Seat Belt Law
- Child Safety Seat
- School Bus Undivided Road
- School Bus Divided Highway
- Work Zone Speed Compliance
- Three-Second Following Rule
- Tailgater Response
- Blocked Intersection View
- Green Arrow Signal
- Steady Yellow Signal
- Night Driving on Unlit Roads
- Aggressive Driver Response
Try 5 Questions from This Test
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You should choose your driving speed mainly based on:
Show answer
A. Road, traffic, and weather conditions, even if it is below the posted limit
You must never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, even if that is less than the posted speed.
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The legal BAC limit for most drivers age 21 and over is:
Show answer
C. 0.08% BAC
A BAC of 0.08% or more is considered legally impaired for most drivers, and you can be arrested at lower levels if unsafe.
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Using a handheld device to read, write, or send a text while driving is:
Show answer
C. Dangerous and often against the law
Texting while driving takes your eyes, hands, and mind off the road and is a major cause of crashes.
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When approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended on a two-way road, you must:
Show answer
A. Stop from either direction until the lights stop and the bus moves again
Drivers in both directions must stop for a bus with flashing red lights unless on a divided roadway with a median.
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You must turn on your headlights:
Show answer
C. From dusk to dawn or whenever you cannot see clearly at a safe distance
Headlights are required at night and any time you cannot see people or vehicles clearly ahead.
Complete Study Guide: All 50 Questions with Answers
Every question in Practice Test 1, with the correct answer and an explanation for each.
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Q1. You should choose your driving speed mainly based on:
Correct answer: Road, traffic, and weather conditions, even if it is below the posted limit
Why: You must never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, even if that is less than the posted speed.
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Q2. When you see a STOP sign and a marked stop line, where must you stop?
Correct answer: At the stop line before entering the crosswalk or intersection
Why: Make a complete stop at the stop line first. If there is no line, stop before the crosswalk or where you can see clearly.
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Q3. A broken yellow center line between two lanes of traffic means:
Correct answer: Passing is allowed when it can be done safely
Why: Broken yellow lines between opposite directions show where you may pass if the way ahead is clear.
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Q4. A solid yellow line on your side of the center line means you:
Correct answer: May not pass because it is unsafe here
Why: A solid yellow line on your side marks a no-passing zone where sight distance or other conditions make passing dangerous.
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Q5. What does a solid white line between lanes of traffic usually mean?
Correct answer: Lane changes are discouraged and should be made only when needed
Why: Solid white lines separate lanes going the same way and warn you not to weave in and out unless truly necessary.
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Q6. Before changing lanes on a multilane road, what should you do?
Correct answer: Check mirrors, signal, check your blind spot, then move when clear
Why: Safe lane changes always use mirrors, turn signals, and a quick look over your shoulder into the blind spot.
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Q7. The main purpose of the three-second rule is to help you:
Correct answer: Keep a safe following distance under normal conditions
Why: Counting at least three seconds between your car and the vehicle ahead helps you avoid rear-end collisions.
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Q8. You should increase your following distance beyond three seconds when:
Correct answer: Roads are wet, visibility is poor, or you are behind a large vehicle
Why: In rain, fog, heavy traffic, or behind trucks, extra space gives you more time to react and stop safely.
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Q9. On a multilane road, the left lane is usually used for:
Correct answer: Passing and for faster-moving traffic
Why: Stay in the right lane when possible and use the left lane mainly to pass or prepare for a left turn.
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Q10. When another driver is following too closely (tailgating), the safest thing to do is to:
Correct answer: Gradually slow down and, when possible, change lanes so they can pass
Why: Creating space and letting the tailgater pass lowers the risk of a rear-end crash.
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Q11. If your view at an intersection is blocked by buildings, parked cars, or trees, you should:
Correct answer: Move forward slowly until you can see clearly, then proceed if it is safe
Why: Creep forward carefully and look for cross traffic and pedestrians before entering the intersection.
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Q12. A green arrow pointing left at an intersection means you may:
Correct answer: Make a protected left turn; oncoming traffic should be stopped
Why: A steady green arrow gives you a protected turn in that direction while oncoming traffic faces a red light.
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Q13. A steady yellow traffic signal means:
Correct answer: The light is about to turn red; stop if you can do so safely
Why: A steady yellow warns that the green is ending. Prepare to stop before the intersection if it is safe.
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Q14. A flashing red traffic light at an intersection means you must:
Correct answer: Come to a complete stop, then proceed when it is safe
Why: A flashing red works like a stop sign. Stop fully, yield, then go when clear.
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Q15. If a traffic signal is dark or not working at an intersection, you should:
Correct answer: Treat the intersection as a four-way stop and proceed with caution
Why: When signals are out, all drivers must stop and take turns as at a stop-controlled intersection.
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Q16. When a law enforcement officer’s directions conflict with a traffic signal, you should:
Correct answer: Follow the officer’s instructions
Why: Directions from police and traffic officers always override signals and signs.
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Q17. You must turn on your headlights:
Correct answer: From dusk to dawn or whenever you cannot see clearly at a safe distance
Why: Headlights are required at night and any time you cannot see people or vehicles clearly ahead.
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Q18. If your vehicle begins to hydroplane on a wet roadway, you should:
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer straight until your tires grip again
Why: Sudden braking or steering can cause a skid. Gently reducing speed helps your tires regain contact.
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Q19. On a wet road compared to dry pavement, your stopping distance will be:
Correct answer: Longer, so you must slow down and leave more following distance
Why: Rain reduces traction and increases the distance needed to stop, so you must reduce speed and increase space.
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Q20. If you start to skid on ice or packed snow, the safest way to regain control is to:
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer gently in the direction you want the car to go
Why: Look where you want the vehicle to go and steer smoothly that way while avoiding sudden braking.
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Q21. When approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended on a two-way road, you must:
Correct answer: Stop from either direction until the lights stop and the bus moves again
Why: Drivers in both directions must stop for a bus with flashing red lights unless on a divided roadway with a median.
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Q22. You do not have to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights when:
Correct answer: You are on the opposite side of a divided highway or median from the bus
Why: If a physical barrier or median separates your lane from the bus, you do not need to stop but must still use caution.
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Q23. In a work zone with reduced speed limit signs, you must:
Correct answer: Slow down to the posted work zone speed, even if workers are not visible
Why: Work zone speed limits apply whenever they are posted, and fines are often higher for violations.
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Q24. The legal BAC limit for most drivers age 21 and over is:
Correct answer: 0.08% BAC
Why: A BAC of 0.08% or more is considered legally impaired for most drivers, and you can be arrested at lower levels if unsafe.
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Q25. Even below the legal BAC limit, alcohol can:
Correct answer: Slow reflexes and harm judgment
Why: Any amount of alcohol can reduce your ability to drive safely by affecting judgment, vision, and coordination.
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Q26. Seat belt laws say that:
Correct answer: The driver and all passengers should be properly buckled, in front and back seats
Why: Everyone in the vehicle should use seat belts or proper child restraints to reduce the risk of injury or death.
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Q27. The safest place for a child safety seat is:
Correct answer: In the rear seat, away from active airbags
Why: A rear seat position helps protect children from airbag deployment and frontal crashes.
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Q28. When backing out of a parking space or driveway, you should:
Correct answer: Turn and look directly through the rear window while backing slowly
Why: Backing should be done slowly while looking over your shoulder to clearly see hazards behind you.
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Q29. When you share the road with a bicyclist, you should:
Correct answer: Give them at least five feet and pass at a safe, reduced speed
Why: New Mexico’s driver manual says to give bicyclists at least five feet of clearance when passing.
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Q30. You are approaching a railroad crossing with no gates or lights. What should you do?
Correct answer: Slow down, look and listen for trains, and be ready to stop
Why: At passive crossings you must check carefully in both directions and cross only when you are sure no train is coming.
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Q31. On a two-way street, when parking your vehicle next to a curb, your wheels should be:
Correct answer: Parallel to the curb and within 18 inches of it
Why: New Mexico does not allow parking more than 18 inches from the curb. Park parallel to it, on the right side of a two-way street.
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Q32. Using a handheld device to read, write, or send a text while driving is:
Correct answer: Dangerous and often against the law
Why: Texting while driving takes your eyes, hands, and mind off the road and is a major cause of crashes.
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Q33. At a four-way stop, the right-of-way usually goes to:
Correct answer: The first vehicle to stop, or if two stop together, the driver on the right
Why: After stopping, drivers go in the order they arrived. If they arrive together, the driver on the right goes first.
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Q34. Before making a right turn, you should:
Correct answer: Signal, move close to the right curb, check for pedestrians, and turn at a safe speed
Why: Good right turns begin from the correct lane with plenty of warning and careful checks for people crossing.
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Q35. When turning left from a two-way street onto another two-way street, you should:
Correct answer: Turn from the lane nearest the center line into the lane nearest the center line
Why: Using the lanes closest to the center lines reduces conflicts with traffic in other lanes.
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Q36. When driving at night on an unlit road, you should:
Correct answer: Use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic and dim them for other vehicles
Why: High beams let you see farther ahead, but you must dim them so you do not blind other drivers.
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Q37. If another driver is acting aggressively toward you, the safest response is to:
Correct answer: Avoid eye contact, do not respond, and if needed drive to a safe, public place
Why: Do not engage with aggressive drivers. Staying calm and getting to a safe spot lowers the chance of trouble.
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Q38. If you feel tired while driving on a long trip, you should:
Correct answer: Exit the road safely and rest before continuing
Why: Only sleep and real rest can fight fatigue. Short-term tricks are not a safe substitute for stopping.
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Q39. If your turn signals fail while you are driving, you must:
Correct answer: Use the proper hand and arm signals until they are repaired
Why: Hand signals are legal and required when your electric turn signals do not work.
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Q40. When you are the first car at a green light, the safest way to start moving is to:
Correct answer: Look left, right, and ahead for cross traffic or pedestrians before accelerating
Why: Even with a green light you must first make sure the intersection is clear before you go.
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Q41. On a street with two lanes in your direction and parked cars on the right, the best lane to use is usually:
Correct answer: The left lane, to avoid opening car doors and people stepping into the road
Why: Staying farther away from parked vehicles reduces the risk of hitting doors or pedestrians.
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Q42. When a police officer stops your vehicle, you should:
Correct answer: Stay calm, keep your hands visible, and follow the officer’s instructions
Why: Keeping your hands where the officer can see them and waiting for directions helps keep everyone safe.
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Q43. Before you start driving, you should adjust:
Correct answer: Your seat, mirrors, and steering wheel so you can reach and see comfortably
Why: Good driving position and mirror settings help you control the vehicle and reduce blind spots.
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Q44. On a highway entrance ramp, the purpose of the acceleration lane is to:
Correct answer: Match the speed of freeway traffic before merging
Why: Use the acceleration lane to build up speed so you can merge smoothly into the flow of traffic.
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Q45. A broken white line between lanes of traffic on a freeway means:
Correct answer: You may change lanes when it is safe to do so
Why: Broken white lines separate lanes going the same direction and allow lane changes when there is enough space.
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Q46. When you see a pedestrian in a crosswalk with a WALK signal, you should:
Correct answer: Yield and allow them to finish crossing before you enter the crosswalk
Why: Pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk have the right-of-way when they are lawfully crossing.
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Q47. When preparing to leave a parallel-parking space, the first thing you should do is:
Correct answer: Check behind and to the side for approaching traffic and bicycles
Why: Always check mirrors, blind spots, and signal before moving out into traffic.
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Q48. If you miss your exit on a freeway, you should:
Correct answer: Go to the next exit, leave the freeway safely, and turn around
Why: Stopping, backing up, or crossing the median on a freeway is very dangerous. Always go to the next exit instead.
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Q49. On most roads, you should signal your turn or lane change at least:
Correct answer: 100 feet before you turn or move over
Why: Signaling early gives other drivers and pedestrians time to see your plans and react safely.
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Q50. When you see a yellow warning sign with a curving arrow, it means:
Correct answer: The road ahead curves and you should slow to a safe speed
Why: Curve warning signs tell you to reduce speed and be ready to steer smoothly through the bend.