New Mexico MVD Permit Practice Test 4: 50 Questions
Practice Test 4 has 50 multiple-choice questions on New Mexico driving rules, including hand signal left turn, hand signal right turn, hand signal Slow/Stop and vision narrows with speed. 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 4 Covers
The questions in this test ask about:
- Hand Signal Left Turn
- Hand Signal Right Turn
- Hand Signal Slow/Stop
- Vision Narrows with Speed
- Crosswinds on Open Roads
- Shared Center Turn Lane
- Edge Line (Fog Line)
- Downhill Speed Control
- Drowsy Driving Response
- Parking Lights Only
- Backing with Passenger
- Skid in Curve
- Emergency Scene Approach
- Young Child Restraint
Try 5 Questions from This Test
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A driver’s left arm extended straight out the window is the hand signal for:
Show answer
C. A left turn
Left arm straight out means you intend to turn left.
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A driver’s left arm bent upward at the elbow signals:
Show answer
B. A right turn
A hand and arm pointed up signals a right turn when electrical signals are not used.
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A driver’s left arm bent downward at the elbow signals:
Show answer
C. Slow down or stop
An arm pointed downward warns that you are reducing speed or stopping.
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As your speed increases, your field of vision:
Show answer
B. Becomes narrower, and you see less to the sides
At higher speeds, you tend to focus straight ahead, which makes it harder to notice hazards at the edges of your vision.
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Rain has made a New Mexico road wet. About how much does the manual say to reduce your speed?
Show answer
B. About 10 mph
A wet road does not grip as well as a dry one. On a wet road you should reduce your speed about 10 mph.
Complete Study Guide: All 50 Questions with Answers
Every question in Practice Test 4, with the correct answer and an explanation for each.
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Q1. On a three-lane road going in your direction, the best lane for steady through traffic is usually:
Correct answer: The middle lane
Why: The middle lane often has the smoothest flow, while the right lane is used for entering and exiting and the left lane for passing.
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Q2. When a sign says "LANE ENDS, MERGE LEFT," you should:
Correct answer: Signal early and merge into the next lane when there is a safe gap
Why: Early, smooth merging keeps traffic moving and reduces last-second lane changes.
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Q3. The solid white line along the right edge of the roadway is called the:
Correct answer: Edge line or fog line
Why: Edge lines mark the outer boundary of the driving lane and help you stay on the road, especially at night or in bad weather.
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Q4. If you drive through deep water and your brakes feel weak, you should:
Correct answer: Test them gently while driving slowly until they work normally again
Why: Light brake pressure at low speed helps dry the brakes and restores normal braking.
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Q5. Driving with only your parking lights on at dawn or dusk is:
Correct answer: Not allowed because parking lights alone do not give enough light or visibility
Why: Parking lights are not a substitute for headlights. You must use headlights when visibility is reduced.
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Q6. When another vehicle is passing you on a two-lane road, you should:
Correct answer: Stay in your lane and, if needed, slightly reduce speed to help them pass safely
Why: Co-operating with passing drivers reduces the time you travel side by side and lowers crash risk.
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Q7. A shared center lane marked by solid and broken yellow lines on each side is used:
Correct answer: Only for left turns or permitted U-turns from either direction
Why: Center turn lanes are for turning, not for through travel or passing other vehicles.
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Q8. You should avoid driving side-by-side with another vehicle in the next lane because:
Correct answer: It may create a blind spot and limit your escape route
Why: Lingering next to another vehicle can trap you if something unexpected happens ahead or behind.
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Q9. A yellow warning sign showing a sideways T-shape means:
Correct answer: There is a T-intersection ahead where your road ends
Why: At a T-intersection, you must turn left or right; the road you are on does not continue straight.
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Q10. A red and white triangle sign means you must:
Correct answer: Slow down and be prepared to yield the right-of-way
Why: Yield signs require you to let cross traffic and pedestrians go first when necessary.
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Q11. When waiting to turn left with oncoming traffic, you should:
Correct answer: Keep your wheels straight until you actually start the turn
Why: Keeping the wheels straight helps prevent you from being pushed into oncoming traffic if your vehicle is hit from behind.
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Q12. You are entering a freeway from an on-ramp. To merge smoothly, you should:
Correct answer: Use the acceleration lane to match the speed of traffic in the right lane
Why: Using the acceleration lane to reach freeway speed helps you merge safely with the flow of traffic.
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Q13. If you see a "WRONG WAY" sign, you should:
Correct answer: Pull over and turn around as soon as it is safe
Why: "WRONG WAY" means you are driving against traffic. You must safely turn around immediately.
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Q14. You are driving downhill and notice your speed increasing. You should:
Correct answer: Shift to a lower gear and use your brakes lightly as needed
Why: Using a lower gear helps control speed on long or steep downgrades without overheating your brakes.
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Q15. When driving in light rain, the road surface is often most slippery:
Correct answer: During the first few minutes of rainfall
Why: Oil and dust mix with the first rain and create a slick film until heavier rain washes it away.
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Q16. If your turn signals suddenly stop working, you should:
Correct answer: Use hand and arm signals until they are fixed
Why: Hand signals are required when your electrical turn signals are not working.
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Q17. A driver’s left arm extended straight out the window is the hand signal for:
Correct answer: A left turn
Why: Left arm straight out means you intend to turn left.
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Q18. A driver’s left arm bent upward at the elbow signals:
Correct answer: A right turn
Why: A hand and arm pointed up signals a right turn when electrical signals are not used.
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Q19. A driver’s left arm bent downward at the elbow signals:
Correct answer: Slow down or stop
Why: An arm pointed downward warns that you are reducing speed or stopping.
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Q20. When backing out of a driveway with a passenger, you may ask them to:
Correct answer: Help check for people, bicycles, or cars while you back slowly
Why: A passenger can assist by watching for hazards, but you are still responsible for backing safely.
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Q21. Before driving in reverse, you should always:
Correct answer: Check behind the vehicle and turn your head to look through the rear window
Why: Turning and looking back gives the clearest view of what is behind you when backing.
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Q22. If your vehicle starts to skid because you are going too fast in a curve, you should:
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer smoothly in the direction of the skid
Why: Steering in the direction of the skid while easing off the gas helps your tires regain grip.
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Q23. Driving when you are very tired is dangerous because:
Correct answer: You may not notice hazards and could even fall asleep for a few seconds
Why: Drowsy driving slows reaction time and can lead to "microsleeps" where you briefly lose awareness.
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Q24. If you see a sign that reads "DO NOT ENTER," you should:
Correct answer: Not drive into that lane or roadway from your direction
Why: "DO NOT ENTER" marks roadways where traffic comes toward you. Going past the sign is driving the wrong way.
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Q25. When approaching a person with a white cane or guide dog at a crosswalk, you must:
Correct answer: Yield and give them plenty of time and space to cross
Why: Drivers must give the right-of-way and extra care to pedestrians with visual impairments.
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Q26. If your vehicle begins to hydroplane on standing water, you should:
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer straight until you regain traction
Why: Sudden braking or steering can cause a skid. Gently reducing speed helps your tires grip again.
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Q27. You may not drive on the left side of the road when you are within about this distance of a bridge, tunnel, or intersection:
Correct answer: 100 feet
Why: Passing is limited near intersections, bridges, and tunnels because sight distance is often reduced.
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Q28. When you approach an emergency scene on the roadside, you should:
Correct answer: Slow down and, if possible, move over a lane away from the scene
Why: Reducing speed and giving extra space protects emergency workers and prevents new crashes.
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Q29. A young child must be secured:
Correct answer: In an approved child safety seat or booster appropriate for their size
Why: Standard seat belts are built for adults. Smaller children need properly fitted safety seats or boosters.
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Q30. Alcohol mostly affects a driver’s ability to:
Correct answer: Judge situations and react quickly to hazards
Why: Alcohol harms judgment, coordination, and reaction time, which are critical to safe driving.
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Q31. If you are going to slow down more than other drivers might expect, you should:
Correct answer: Tap your brakes several times to flash your brake lights
Why: Tapping your brakes warns drivers behind you that you are slowing more than usual.
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Q32. When another driver is driving aggressively and weaving through traffic, the safest thing to do is to:
Correct answer: Stay out of their way and let them go ahead
Why: Not engaging with aggressive drivers helps avoid road rage and reduces the chance of a crash.
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Q33. As your speed increases, your field of vision:
Correct answer: Becomes narrower, and you see less to the sides
Why: At higher speeds, you tend to focus straight ahead, which makes it harder to notice hazards at the edges of your vision.
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Q34. A yellow sign with a truck symbol tipping on a curve warns that:
Correct answer: The road ahead has a curve or grade where large vehicles may tip or lose control
Why: This sign warns both truck drivers and other motorists about a location with a higher risk of rollovers.
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Q35. To safely share the road with bicyclists, you should:
Correct answer: Give them at least five feet of clearance when passing
Why: New Mexico’s driver manual says to give bicyclists at least five feet of clearance when passing.
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Q36. When your light turns green but traffic is stopped in the intersection, you should:
Correct answer: Wait until there is room for you to completely clear the intersection
Why: You must not block intersections. Enter only when you can get completely across.
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Q37. On a two-way street with no curb, when you park you should:
Correct answer: Turn your wheels so the vehicle will roll away from the road if it moves
Why: If the brakes fail, turning away from the roadway helps the vehicle roll toward the shoulder, not into traffic.
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Q38. Rain has made a New Mexico road wet. About how much does the manual say to reduce your speed?
Correct answer: About 10 mph
Why: A wet road does not grip as well as a dry one. On a wet road you should reduce your speed about 10 mph.
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Q39. When your view is blocked while backing out of an alley or driveway, you should:
Correct answer: Move forward slowly until you can see, stopping again if needed
Why: Creeping forward slowly lets you see around obstacles without surprising pedestrians or cross traffic.
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Q40. When driving past parked cars on a narrow street, you should:
Correct answer: Be ready for doors opening or people stepping from between vehicles
Why: Parked vehicles can hide pedestrians, animals, or cyclists. Extra caution helps prevent sudden collisions.
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Q41. If the rear of your vehicle starts to slide to the right, you should:
Correct answer: Steer gently to the right and avoid overcorrecting
Why: Steering in the same direction as the skid helps you straighten the vehicle under control.
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Q42. When you see a yellow sign with a black arrow that first curves and then points sharply, it means:
Correct answer: The road ahead has a sharp change in direction and you should slow to a safe speed
Why: Curve and turn signs warn you to adjust your speed and be ready to steer smoothly through the change in direction.
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Q43. On busy city streets, the best way to avoid last-second moves is to:
Correct answer: Look well ahead, keep scanning, and plan lane changes early
Why: Scanning and planning ahead give you more time to react and make smooth, safe adjustments.
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Q44. When traffic is heavy and you need to cross several lanes to take an exit, you should:
Correct answer: Move one lane at a time well before the exit, when it is safe
Why: Early lane changes, made one at a time with signals, are much safer than last-second moves.
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Q45. If your vehicle breaks down on a freeway and you must stop, you should:
Correct answer: Move off the roadway if possible, turn on hazard lights, and stay away from moving traffic
Why: Getting as far from moving traffic as possible and using hazard lights helps other drivers see and avoid you.
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Q46. The safest way to use your eyes while driving is to:
Correct answer: Keep scanning the road ahead, to the sides, and in your mirrors
Why: Constant scanning helps you spot problems early and avoid sudden, dangerous moves.
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Q47. If you are driving and your tire blows out, you should:
Correct answer: Grip the wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and let the car slow before pulling off the road
Why: A sudden flat can pull your vehicle to one side. Steady steering and gentle slowing help you keep control.
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Q48. You are approaching a stop sign and there is no crosswalk or stop line. You must stop:
Correct answer: Where you can see traffic in all directions before entering the intersection
Why: Stop where you have the best view of cross traffic without blocking the intersection.
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Q49. When driving at night in an area with streetlights and oncoming traffic, you should normally use:
Correct answer: Low-beam headlights
Why: Low beams give enough light in built-up areas without blinding other drivers.
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Q50. You see a pedestrian about to step into the street between parked cars. You should:
Correct answer: Cover the brake, slow down, and be ready to stop
Why: People can appear quickly from between parked cars. Reducing speed gives you time to stop if they step out.