New Mexico MVD Permit Practice Test 5: 50 Questions
Practice Test 5 has 50 multiple-choice questions on New Mexico driving rules, including alcohol first effect, only time sobers, sticking accelerator first step and Rear-End collision cause. 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 5 Covers
The questions in this test ask about:
- Alcohol First Effect
- Only Time Sobers
- Sticking Accelerator First Step
- Rear-End Collision Cause
- Blocked Intersection Prohibition
- Freeway Exit Technique
- Rear Impact Reduction
- Oncoming in Your Lane on Narrow Road
- Multi-Lane Cross for Exit
- Slower Traffic Right on Multi-Lane
- Space Cushion in City
- About to Be Hit from Behind
- Drowsy Driving
Try 5 Questions from This Test
-
The first thing that alcohol affects is a driver’s:
Show answer
A. Judgment and self-control
Even small amounts of alcohol can affect judgment, which leads to risky decisions.
-
The only thing that can sober up a person who has been drinking is:
Show answer
C. Time
Only time allows the body to remove alcohol from the system. Coffee and showers do not speed this up.
-
If your accelerator sticks and you cannot free it with your foot, you should:
Show answer
A. Shift to neutral, apply the brakes, and move off the road when it is safe
Shifting to neutral lets the engine race without driving the wheels, so you can slow and stop safely.
-
Most rear-end collisions are caused by drivers:
Show answer
B. Following too closely
Leaving enough following distance gives you time to react and stop safely.
-
You may legally block an intersection when:
Show answer
C. You should never enter an intersection unless you can clear it completely
Do not enter an intersection if you will be stopped in it. Blocking intersections is illegal and unsafe.
Complete Study Guide: All 50 Questions with Answers
Every question in Practice Test 5, with the correct answer and an explanation for each.
-
Q1. You are approaching a stop sign and there is no stop line or crosswalk. Where must you stop?
Correct answer: Before entering the intersection where you can see cross traffic
Why: Stop at a point where you can see clearly in all directions without blocking the intersection.
-
Q2. When turning right at a red light where it is allowed, you must first:
Correct answer: Come to a complete stop and yield to traffic and pedestrians
Why: Right turns on red require a full stop and yielding to people in the crosswalk and vehicles with a green light.
-
Q3. A flashing red traffic signal at an intersection means you must:
Correct answer: Stop completely and proceed only when it is safe
Why: Treat a flashing red signal like a stop sign and go only after yielding to others.
-
Q4. A solid yellow line on your side of the road next to a broken yellow line means:
Correct answer: Passing is not allowed for you but is allowed for traffic on the other side
Why: A solid yellow line on your side means no passing in your direction.
-
Q5. When driving at night with no other vehicles nearby, you should use:
Correct answer: High-beam headlights on open roads
Why: High beams help you see further ahead on dark roads when they will not blind other drivers.
-
Q6. When following a motorcycle, you should:
Correct answer: Allow more following distance than for a car
Why: Motorcycles can stop and turn quickly, so they need extra space behind them.
-
Q7. Before changing lanes on a roadway, you should always:
Correct answer: Check mirrors, signal, and check your blind spot over your shoulder
Why: Checking mirrors and blind spots plus signaling lets you change lanes safely.
-
Q8. You are driving in heavy rain. The safest speed is:
Correct answer: A speed that is safe for conditions, even if it is below the limit
Why: In bad weather you must slow down to a speed that lets you keep control and stop in time.
-
Q9. Hydroplaning occurs when:
Correct answer: Your tires ride up on a thin layer of water and lose contact with the road
Why: In heavy rain at higher speeds, water can lift your tires off the road surface and cause a loss of control.
-
Q10. To reduce the chance of hydroplaning, you should:
Correct answer: Slow down on wet roads and make sure your tires have good tread
Why: Lower speeds and good tires help your vehicle stay in contact with the road in the rain.
-
Q11. When driving in fog, you should use:
Correct answer: Low-beam headlights
Why: Low beams cut through fog better and make it easier for other drivers to see you.
-
Q12. If your vehicle starts to skid, you should:
Correct answer: Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go
Why: Smooth steering and easing off the accelerator help you regain traction without spinning out.
-
Q13. 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 before merging
Why: Reaching the same speed as freeway traffic makes it safer to merge into the right lane.
-
Q14. If you miss your exit on the freeway, you should:
Correct answer: Go to the next exit and turn around when it is safe
Why: Backing up or turning around on a freeway is illegal and very dangerous.
-
Q15. When you see a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing on an undivided road, you must:
Correct answer: Stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing
Why: Traffic in both directions must usually stop for a school bus with flashing red lights on an undivided roadway.
-
Q16. A pedestrian with a white cane or a guide dog is waiting at a crosswalk. You must:
Correct answer: Stop and give them the right-of-way
Why: Drivers must yield to pedestrians with visual impairments and allow them extra time to cross.
-
Q17. You are approaching a railroad crossing with no gates or lights. You should:
Correct answer: Slow down, look and listen for trains, and be prepared to stop
Why: Always check both ways for trains and be ready to stop, even if warning devices are not present.
-
Q18. If your car stalls on train tracks and a train is coming, the safest action is to:
Correct answer: Get everyone out and move away at an angle in the direction the train is coming from
Why: Moving diagonally away from the tracks in the direction of the train reduces the chance of being hit by debris.
-
Q19. You are turning left at an intersection with a green light but no green arrow. You should:
Correct answer: Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before turning
Why: A green light allows you to turn but you must yield to oncoming vehicles and people in the crosswalk.
-
Q20. When two vehicles arrive at a four-way stop at the same time, the driver who should go first is:
Correct answer: The driver on the right
Why: If two vehicles stop at the same time, the one on the right usually has the right-of-way.
-
Q21. When you are being passed by another vehicle on a two-lane road, you should:
Correct answer: Stay in your lane and, if needed, slightly reduce speed
Why: Help passing vehicles get by safely by maintaining your lane and not increasing your speed.
-
Q22. The best way to avoid last-minute moves on the road is to:
Correct answer: Look well ahead and keep scanning all around you
Why: Constant scanning lets you spot problems early and plan smooth, safe actions.
-
Q23. On a narrow two-lane road, you see an oncoming car partially in your lane. You should:
Correct answer: Slow down, keep to the right, and be prepared to stop
Why: Reducing speed and moving as far right as you safely can helps prevent a head-on crash.
-
Q24. If you are driving and become drowsy, the safest thing to do is:
Correct answer: Find a safe place to pull over and rest
Why: Only rest or sleep can overcome drowsiness. Driving while sleepy is very dangerous.
-
Q25. Most rear-end collisions are caused by drivers:
Correct answer: Following too closely
Why: Leaving enough following distance gives you time to react and stop safely.
-
Q26. To avoid rear-ending the vehicle in front of you, you should use:
Correct answer: The three-second or more following distance rule
Why: A three-second or longer gap gives you time to see and react to sudden stops ahead.
-
Q27. You may legally block an intersection when:
Correct answer: You should never enter an intersection unless you can clear it completely
Why: Do not enter an intersection if you will be stopped in it. Blocking intersections is illegal and unsafe.
-
Q28. When driving through a work zone, you should:
Correct answer: Slow down, obey posted signs, and watch for workers and equipment
Why: Reduced speed limits and extra caution protect workers and drivers in construction areas.
-
Q29. When an emergency vehicle with flashing lights and siren is coming behind you, you must:
Correct answer: Move as far to the right as you safely can and stop
Why: Pulling to the right and stopping gives emergency vehicles a clear path.
-
Q30. If a tire suddenly goes flat while you are driving, you should:
Correct answer: Grip the steering wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and let the vehicle slow before pulling off the road
Why: A sudden flat can cause you to lose control. Steady steering and gentle slowing help keep the vehicle stable.
-
Q31. A yellow diamond-shaped sign with a black plus symbol indicates:
Correct answer: There is a crossroad ahead
Why: The plus sign warns that another road crosses yours; be ready for traffic from both sides.
-
Q32. A yellow diamond-shaped sign with a walking person symbol means:
Correct answer: Pedestrian crossing ahead
Why: Slow down and be prepared to yield to people crossing the road.
-
Q33. Parking is never allowed:
Correct answer: In front of a fire hydrant or in a marked fire lane
Why: Blocking access to fire hydrants or fire lanes can delay emergency response and is illegal.
-
Q34. When parking uphill on a street with a curb, you should turn your front wheels:
Correct answer: Away from the curb and set the parking brake
Why: Turning the wheels away from the curb will let the car roll back against the curb if the brakes fail.
-
Q35. Before you start driving, you should adjust:
Correct answer: Your seat, mirrors, steering wheel, and head restraints
Why: Proper adjustments help you reach the controls and see traffic around you.
-
Q36. The first thing that alcohol affects is a driver’s:
Correct answer: Judgment and self-control
Why: Even small amounts of alcohol can affect judgment, which leads to risky decisions.
-
Q37. The only thing that can sober up a person who has been drinking is:
Correct answer: Time
Why: Only time allows the body to remove alcohol from the system. Coffee and showers do not speed this up.
-
Q38. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is:
Correct answer: A serious traffic offense that can lead to fines, license suspension, and jail time
Why: Laws against impaired driving carry strong penalties to protect everyone on the road.
-
Q39. If your brakes suddenly stop working, you should first:
Correct answer: Pump the brake pedal several times and shift to a lower gear
Why: Pumping the brakes may restore pressure. Downshifting helps the vehicle slow until you can stop.
-
Q40. A steady yellow traffic light means:
Correct answer: The light is about to turn red; stop if you can do so safely
Why: Yellow warns that the red light is coming. Do not enter the intersection if you can stop safely in time.
-
Q41. On multi-lane roads, slower traffic should usually travel:
Correct answer: In the right-hand lanes
Why: Keeping slower traffic to the right and using the left lane mainly for passing helps traffic flow smoothly.
-
Q42. When exiting a freeway, you should:
Correct answer: Signal and move into the exit lane well in advance
Why: Early signaling and lane changes give other drivers time to adjust and prevent sudden moves.
-
Q43. To reduce glare from oncoming headlights at night, you should:
Correct answer: Look slightly to the right side of your lane
Why: Looking toward the right edge of your lane helps you stay on track without being blinded.
-
Q44. The best way to keep a safe space cushion in city traffic is to:
Correct answer: Adjust your speed to match conditions and avoid driving next to other vehicles for long periods
Why: Changing your position and leaving space gives you more room to react to sudden hazards.
-
Q45. When you are about to be hit from behind, you can help reduce injury by:
Correct answer: Pressing your head firmly against the head restraint and keeping your back against the seat
Why: Proper use of head restraints and seatbacks reduces whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions.
-
Q46. If your accelerator sticks and you cannot free it with your foot, you should:
Correct answer: Shift to neutral, apply the brakes, and move off the road when it is safe
Why: Shifting to neutral lets the engine race without driving the wheels, so you can slow and stop safely.
-
Q47. If your vehicle starts to drift off the edge of the pavement, you should:
Correct answer: Slow down gently and steer back onto the road when the way is clear
Why: Sudden steering can cause you to lose control. Ease off the gas and return smoothly to the roadway.
-
Q48. Texting while driving is:
Correct answer: Extremely dangerous because it takes your eyes, hands, and mind away from driving
Why: Texting combines visual, manual, and mental distraction and greatly increases crash risk.
-
Q49. If you are involved in a minor crash with no injuries, you should first:
Correct answer: Move your vehicle out of the traffic lane if you can do so safely
Why: Moving out of traffic, if possible, helps prevent additional crashes and keeps everyone safer.
-
Q50. When you see a road sign that reads "SPEED LIMIT 45," it means:
Correct answer: You may drive no faster than 45 miles per hour under ideal conditions
Why: Speed limits are set for good conditions. You must slow down when weather or traffic requires it.