Printable NM Permit Practice Test

1. When conditions are rainy, icy, or foggy, how should a driver treat a posted maximum speed?

1. Treat it as a target speed that must be maintained
2. Reduce speed when the conditions make the posted maximum unsafe
3. Increase speed briefly to clear the bad weather
4. Ignore the limit only when visibility is reduced

2. At a four way stop, two vehicles arrive at the same time. Which vehicle should go first?

1. The vehicle on the right
2. The vehicle on the left
3. The vehicle traveling faster
4. The vehicle with more passengers

3. After a school bus stops flashing its red lights, what must a driver do before moving?

1. Proceed immediately because the stop is over
2. Wait for children to leave the roadway and confirm it is safe
3. Pass the bus only after honking twice
4. Continue only if another vehicle moves first

4. How does the New Mexico manual describe the shape and color of a stop sign?

1. Eight-sided and red with white letters
2. Round and yellow with black letters
3. Downward-pointing triangle with red letters
4. Square and blue with white letters

5. A yellow signal is flashing at an intersection. What driving response does the manual call for?

1. Slow down and proceed with caution
2. Stop and remain stopped until a green light appears
3. Speed up because the intersection has priority
4. Treat the signal as permission to disregard pedestrians

6. What two documents does the manual say a driver needs when renewing a New Mexico driver license?

1. The current license and one other proof of identity
2. A vehicle title and a recent fuel receipt
3. A school transcript and a road test certificate
4. Only a signed statement from an employer

7. If a vehicle breaks down on a highway, what should the driver do when it is possible?

1. Get the vehicle off the road and away from traffic
2. Leave it in the travel lane with the engine off
3. Stand behind it and wave at approaching vehicles
4. Stop just beyond a hill so it is out of sight

8. Which condition can prevent a driver from receiving an unrestricted New Mexico license at the time of application?

1. A traffic violation is still pending
2. The driver held the provisional license for 12 months
3. The driver completed the required vision screening
4. The driver has no alcohol or drug offense during the provisional period

9. How may a New Mexico driver's blood alcohol content ordinarily be determined?

1. Only through a roadside balance exercise
2. By a breath, blood, or urine test
3. Only by asking the driver how many drinks were consumed
4. By checking the vehicle's fuel gauge

10. What factors should a driver consider when adjusting speed?

1. Adverse conditions, vehicle type, and accident prevention
2. Only the posted number and the vehicle's color
3. The time of day, regardless of road conditions
4. The speed of the nearest vehicle only

11. When an emergency vehicle approaches from any direction using a siren or flashing lights, where should a driver pull over?

1. To the right edge or as near to the right as possible
2. To the left edge, regardless of the roadway
3. Into the nearest intersection and stop there
4. Onto the shoulder only if the emergency vehicle is behind

12. With good tires, good brakes, and dry pavement, about how far may a vehicle traveling 50 mph need to react and stop?

1. About 400 feet
2. About 100 feet
3. About 200 feet
4. About 800 feet

13. The do-not-enter symbol shown is used at which location?

1. A roadway opening that drivers should not enter, such as an exit ramp
2. A legal parking space beside a fire hydrant
3. The beginning of every two-way residential street
4. A service area where vehicles must stop for inspection

14. What does the crossed-out left-turn symbol tell a driver?

1. A left turn is prohibited at that location
2. A left turn is required from the marked lane
3. A left turn is permitted only after midnight
4. A left turn must be made from the shoulder

15. What does the railroad crossbuck require at the tracks?

1. Yield to crossing trains
2. Stop 100 feet before every track even when no train is present
3. Drive around a lowered gate if the crossing looks clear
4. Shift gears while crossing to gain speed

16. What does a New Mexico warning sign tell a driver about the roadway ahead?

1. A special situation or hazard is ahead
2. The roadway is guaranteed to be clear
3. All traffic must turn around
4. The posted speed no longer applies

17. What subjects can regulatory signs address?

1. Traffic direction, lane use, turning, speed, parking, and other special situations
2. Only road construction worker locations
3. Only the names of nearby towns
4. Only the color of the pavement

18. What is the purpose of a warning sign for a special road situation?

1. To alert the driver to a hazard ahead and prepare for a possible stop
2. To replace every traffic signal at the next intersection
3. To authorize the maximum speed regardless of road conditions
4. To identify a destination and its distance from the vehicle

19. An emergency vehicle approaches while you are already in an intersection. What should you do?

1. Clear the intersection, then pull as far right as possible
2. Stop in the intersection until the emergency vehicle turns
3. Turn left immediately, regardless of traffic
4. Keep driving at the same speed and remain in the lane

20. You are beside a solid yellow line and a dashed yellow line. When is passing prohibited?

1. When the solid yellow line is on your side
2. When the dashed yellow line is on your side
3. Only when both lines are white
4. Only after a vehicle behind you signals

21. When may a driver turn right at a steady red light?

1. After a full stop, if safe and no sign prohibits the turn
2. Whenever the driver slows and sees no car nearby
3. Only after the signal has been red for one minute
4. Before stopping if the intended road is empty

22. What following interval does the manual use as the basic minimum space ahead?

1. At least three seconds
2. Exactly one second in every condition
3. Two car lengths regardless of speed
4. A five-second interval only on city streets

23. What does a steady yellow traffic light indicate as you approach the intersection?

1. The signal is about to turn red, so stop if safe
2. The driver must accelerate before the red appears
3. The driver may stop in the middle of the intersection
4. The signal has the same meaning as a green arrow

24. How far ahead should safer drivers generally scan in city traffic?

1. At least one block, or about 10 seconds ahead
2. Only the pavement immediately beyond the hood
3. About two car lengths ahead
4. Only as far as the next traffic signal

25. Which headlights should a driver use in fog or during heavy snow or rain?

1. Low beams
2. High beams only
3. Parking lights only
4. No lights until visibility improves

26. What do blue service signs with white letters or symbols show?

1. Locations of services such as rest areas, gas stations, campgrounds, or hospitals
2. The posted minimum speed for a high-speed roadway
3. A place where all traffic must make a U-turn
4. A warning that a railroad crossing is immediately ahead

27. What shape and colors identify a yield sign?

1. A downward-pointing triangle that is red and white with red letters
2. An eight-sided red sign with white letters
3. A blue circle with a white arrow
4. A green rectangle with black lettering

28. If a vehicle begins to skid, what steering response does the manual recommend?

1. Steer in the direction the driver wants the vehicle to go
2. Turn the wheel opposite the intended path and hold it there
3. Lock the wheels with a hard brake application
4. Close the eyes and wait for the tires to recover

29. A flashing red signal is equivalent to which control, and what must happen before proceeding?

1. Make a full stop, then proceed when it is safe
2. Slow briefly and continue without stopping
3. Wait there until the signal becomes green
4. Treat it as permission to turn in any direction

30. What should a driver do if a posted minimum speed is too fast to travel safely?

1. Use another road
2. Drive below the minimum in the same lane
3. Stop in the travel lane
4. Increase speed beyond the posted minimum

31. What do orange work area signs warn drivers may be present near the roadway?

1. Workers or equipment operating on or near the roadway
2. A permanent hospital service area
3. A guaranteed lane for high occupancy vehicles
4. A railroad crossing with no roadway activity

32. If you are in an intersection when the yellow light comes on, what should you do?

1. Continue through the intersection
2. Stop in the intersection and wait for red
3. Reverse to the stop line behind the vehicle
4. Turn around before crossing the intersection

33. After a railroad warning sign, what should a driver remember about the train's apparent speed?

1. The train may be moving faster than it appears
2. The train is stopped whenever its engine is hard to see
3. The train must yield if the warning sign is round
4. The train can be outrun when no gate is present

34. What must drivers do when a flagger controls traffic in a work area?

1. Obey the person controlling traffic
2. Follow only the painted lane lines
3. Proceed unless a police vehicle is present
4. Use the shoulder to pass the work crew

35. Why can driving at the posted maximum still be unsafe during rain or icy conditions?

1. The maximum assumes ideal conditions, so hazards may require a lower speed
2. The maximum applies only after sunset
3. Rain and ice improve tire grip at the posted speed
4. A driver may ignore the limit whenever the road is slippery

36. What should a driver do before entering a railroad crossing?

1. Slow down, look both ways along the tracks, and make sure there is room beyond the crossing
2. Accelerate so the vehicle spends less time on the tracks
3. Stop on the tracks if traffic beyond the crossing is backed up
4. Shift gears while crossing to maintain engine power

37. What should you do if a tire suddenly goes flat while driving?

1. Hold the steering wheel tightly, keep straight, and slow down gradually
2. Turn sharply toward the shoulder and brake hard immediately
3. Accelerate to keep the flat tire from touching the road
4. Stop in the travel lane and leave the vehicle there

38. What does a flashing red signal require at an intersection?

1. A complete stop before proceeding when it is safe
2. The same response as a green light
3. A slow roll without stopping if no vehicle is visible
4. Priority over all cross traffic

39. Where must a driver stop when a sign or signal requires a stop near a crosswalk?

1. Before reaching the stop line or crosswalk
2. After the front bumper enters the crosswalk
3. In the middle of the intersection
4. Beyond the crosswalk so the vehicle is closer to traffic

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

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