Vision, fatigue, health and distraction

Key points

1. You must have at least 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “This test measures that you have at least 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 28

2. Do not wear dark glasses or tinted contact lenses at night.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “Avoid using dark glasses or tinted contact lenses at night, even if you think they help with glare.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 28

3. On long trips, take a break every hour or so, or whenever you need to.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “Take breaks. Stop every hour or so or when you need to.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 28

4. People with epilepsy should be seizure free for 6 months before getting a license.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “be stable and seizure free for a 6-month period before being issued a driver's license.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 30

5. If you are angry or excited, give yourself time to cool off and stay off the road until calm.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “If you are angry or excited, give yourself time to cool off. If necessary take a short walk, but stay off the road until you have calmed down.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 30

6. Pull over to the side of the road to make or take a phone call whenever possible.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “Pull over to the side of the road to place or take a call whenever possible.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 30

Numbers to know

3 questions from the New Mexico practice test

1. 1. What should an angry or excited driver do before continuing to drive?

   1. Drive faster to finish the trip sooner
   2. Give time to cool off and stay off the road until calm
   3. Use the horn to release frustration
   4. Follow another driver closely to make progress
   Show answer

   Give time to cool off and stay off the road until calm. New Mexico warns that strong emotions can interfere with safe driving. An angry or excited driver should give time to cool off and stay off the road until calm, taking a short walk if needed. Speeding, horn use, and close following do not solve the emotional problem and can add distraction or conflict. The practical cue is to notice the feeling before starting or resuming the trip. Pause in a safe place, settle attention, and return to traffic only when the driver can focus on the roadway.

2. 2. What is the safest practice when a driver must make or take a cell phone call?

   1. Drive faster so the call ends sooner
   2. Hold the phone below the steering wheel while moving
   3. Dial only while stopped at a red light in traffic
   4. Pull to the side of the road whenever possible
   Show answer

   Pull to the side of the road whenever possible. The manual identifies both dialing and talking as distractions and recommends pulling to the side of the road whenever possible before placing or taking a call. Holding the phone low still divides attention, and a red light in traffic is not the same as being safely clear of moving lanes. Speeding adds risk rather than removing it. Some New Mexico towns also prohibit handheld use while driving unless a hands-free device is used. The practical habit is to stop in a safe location first, then handle the call without splitting attention between traffic and the device.

3. 3. Why should a driver avoid dialing or talking on a cell phone while driving?

   1. It can be a dangerous distraction from safe driving
   2. It automatically cancels vehicle insurance
   3. It makes headlights turn off
   4. It changes the posted speed limit
   Show answer

   It can be a dangerous distraction from safe driving. The cell phone section warns that dialing or even talking can distract a driver from safe driving. Insurance cancellation, headlight failure, and posted speed changes are not the manual's reason for caution. The important cue is divided attention: handling a call competes with steering, scanning, speed control, and judging gaps. Pulling over remains the better response whenever possible, and some towns require hands-free use. Treat the need to place or answer a call as a reason to leave moving traffic first.

Source: the New Mexico Driver Manual, Be in Shape to Drive. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.