New Mexico DMV Practice Test 2026

1. It wastes brake fluid unnecessarily
2. Locking the wheels causes a loss of steering control
3. It is illegal to brake hard on ice in most states
4. It has no real risk as long as the car has good tires

Correct answer: Locking the wheels causes a loss of steering control. Braking hard enough to lock the wheels on ice takes away the ability to steer, since a locked, sliding tire cannot grip the road. Brakes should be applied early and gently, easing off if the wheels begin to lock.

Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Ch9 Winter Driving-Table 23: Reduce Speed to Correspond with Conditions, p.55

1. Because it is the only activity that is illegal while driving
2. Because it only affects cognitive distraction, which handbooks call the most dangerous type
3. Because it can involve all three types of distraction (visual, manual, and cognitive) at the same time
4. Because it is impossible to do while stopped at a red light

Correct answer: Because it can involve all three types of distraction (visual, manual, and cognitive) at the same time. Texting takes your eyes off the road to read, your hand off the wheel to type, and your mind off driving to compose a message - stacking all three distraction types at once.

Source: Florida Driver Handbook, Distracted Driving p.34 - 'Texting involves all three categories of distractions, making it one of the most dangerous of distracted driving behaviors.'

1. To make room for street cleaning equipment
2. Because it is required on every road with more than two lanes
3. To separate cars from bicycles during rush hour
4. To give more lanes to the direction with heavier traffic at that time of day

Correct answer: To give more lanes to the direction with heavier traffic at that time of day. Reversible lanes let a road allocate more capacity to whichever direction has heavier traffic during morning or evening rush hour.

Source: Florida Driver Handbook, PDF p.54, Reversible Lanes: direction of traffic is normally reversed at set times

1. 200 feet
2. 150 feet
3. 600 feet
4. 250 feet

Correct answer: 200 feet. In New Mexico, dim your high beams to low beams within 200 feet of a vehicle you are following, so you do not blind the driver ahead with light reflected in their mirrors.

1. A school bus regularly makes a turn at this location, so watch for it slowing or turning
2. School buses are completely banned from ever turning at this particular intersection
3. A school bus depot is located just ahead
4. The road ahead is only for school buses

Correct answer: A school bus regularly makes a turn at this location, so watch for it slowing or turning. This sign warns drivers that a school bus regularly turns at that location, so they should watch for a bus slowing down or turning.

Source: MUTCD 2009 Sec. 7B.14

1. 24 inches
2. 18 inches
3. 9 inches
4. 6 inches

Correct answer: 18 inches. In New Mexico, your wheels should be no more than 18 inches from the curb when parked, so your vehicle doesn't stick out into traffic.

1. Right at the edge of the crosswalk itself
2. At the stop line, not inside or past the crosswalk
3. Anywhere before the intersection is acceptable
4. In the middle of the crosswalk for better visibility

Correct answer: At the stop line, not inside or past the crosswalk. When a stop line is marked before a crosswalk, a driver must stop at that line rather than pulling forward into the crosswalk, which keeps the crossing area clear for pedestrians.

Source: California Driver Handbook, Traffic Controls-Crosswalks, p.35 (2020 handbook PDF)

1. In the middle of the back seat, away from either door panel
2. In the trunk of a sedan
3. Behind the driver's seat
4. In the front passenger seat of a vehicle with an air bag

Correct answer: In the front passenger seat of a vehicle with an air bag. New Mexico's manual warns never to place a rear-facing child seat in the front passenger seat of an air-bag-equipped vehicle.

Source: New Mexico Driver Handbook, Safety Belts and Child Restraints

1. Only slow down if you have time
2. Proceed if your light is green, regardless of the pedestrian
3. Honk to tell the pedestrian to hurry
4. Yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian

Correct answer: Yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian. Drivers must always yield to pedestrians who are legally in a crosswalk, whether it is marked with paint or not.

Source: California Driver Handbook, PDF p.36, drivers are required to yield to pedestrians within any crosswalk, marked or unmarked

1. 15 mph
2. 10 mph
3. 35 mph
4. 30 mph

Correct answer: 15 mph. A flashing warning light means the school zone limit is in effect; in New Mexico this limit is 15 mph.

1. Take a smaller dose and drive as usual
2. Wait exactly one hour, which always makes any drug safe
3. Assume it is safe unless the label says otherwise in bold letters
4. Check with a doctor or pharmacist before driving

Correct answer: Check with a doctor or pharmacist before driving. If a driver has any doubt about a drug or a combination of drugs, the recommended step is to check with a doctor or pharmacist about its effects before driving, rather than guessing.

Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Ch10 Table 25: Any Drug, p.55

1. In some towns, under local ordinances
2. Statewide, under one uniform law
3. Only on interstate highways
4. Nowhere, it is fully legal everywhere

Correct answer: In some towns, under local ordinances. New Mexico's manual describes the handheld cell phone ban as a local matter in some towns, not a single statewide law.

Source: New Mexico Driver Handbook, Cellular Phone Usage

1. The road ahead splits and you must turn either left or right; it does not continue straight
2. Traffic from a side road may enter ahead whenever the attached beacon is flashing
3. A side road ahead joins your road from one side
4. There is a circular intersection ahead where roads meet around a center island

Correct answer: A side road ahead joins your road from one side. This yellow diamond sign warns that a side road ahead joins your road from one side. Slow down and adjust your driving to handle it safely.

Source: MUTCD 2009 Sec. 2C (Warning Signs)

1. U-turns are allowed only for buses
2. U-turns are allowed only when no other traffic is present
3. U-turns are not allowed at this intersection
4. It only restricts U-turns after dark

Correct answer: U-turns are not allowed at this intersection. A red circle-and-slash over a U-turn arrow means U-turns are prohibited at that intersection.

Source: California Driver Handbook, PDF p.41, prohibition signs

1. Trucks swing wide left first; don't squeeze in beside them
2. The driver made a mistake; you should honk and pass on the right
3. It means the truck is actually turning left instead
4. It has no meaning at all and can be safely ignored

Correct answer: Trucks swing wide left first; don't squeeze in beside them. On a turn, a truck's back wheels cut inside the path of its front wheels, so drivers often swing out to the left first. Never try to slip into the gap between a turning truck and the curb.

Source: California Driver Handbook, Sharing the Road-Large Trucks-Turning, p.82 (2020 handbook PDF)

1. A train may come from either direction on any track, closer and faster than it looks, so always obey the gates and lights
2. It is only a general suggestion drivers can choose to follow, not a real traffic rule
3. Gates at a crossing are only ever lowered for scheduled maintenance work on the tracks themselves, never for an approaching train
4. It is fine to cross as long as you drive through the crossing quickly and confidently

Correct answer: A train may come from either direction on any track, closer and faster than it looks, so always obey the gates and lights. Trains can run on any track, in either direction, at any time, and are closer and faster-moving than they appear. Never drive around a lowered gate or cross while lights are flashing.

Source: New York Driver Handbook, Ch10 Railroad Crossings, p.60: "never drive around lowered gates"

1. One
2. Zero
3. Two
4. Three

Correct answer: One. New Mexico allows exactly one non-family passenger under 21 when no licensed adult 21 or older is in the vehicle.

Source: New Mexico Driver Handbook, Provisional License

1. Six or more
2. Twelve or more
3. Twenty or more
4. Three or more

Correct answer: Twelve or more. Twelve or more points within a twelve-month period leads to a one-year suspension in New Mexico.

Source: New Mexico Driver Handbook, Traffic Violations

1. .08 percent
2. .02 percent
3. .05 percent
4. .00 percent only

Correct answer: .02 percent. New Mexico's under-21 threshold is a much lower .02 percent BAC.

Source: New Mexico Driver Handbook, Drinking and Driving

1. A hospital nearby
2. A speed limit change ahead
3. A railroad crossing ahead
4. A no-passing zone

Correct answer: A railroad crossing ahead. The round shape is used only for the advance railroad crossing warning sign, so drivers can recognize it by shape alone.

Source: California Driver Handbook, PDF p.36, sign shapes overview

1. Also set the parking brake firmly in place.
2. Leave the engine running the whole time.
3. Keep a foot on the brake pedal at all times.
4. Turn the wheels straight before setting the brake.

Correct answer: Also set the parking brake firmly in place.. Turning the wheels correctly is not enough on its own; setting the parking brake gives a second layer of protection against the vehicle rolling.

Source: California Driver Handbook, Parking-Parking on a Hill p.68

1. Stay in the lane since you already entered it.
2. Speed up to exit the highway right away.
3. Move out of the HOV lane at the next safe chance.
4. Continue, since HOV rules apply on weekdays only.

Correct answer: Move out of the HOV lane at the next safe chance.. If your vehicle doesn't meet the posted occupancy requirement, you should move out of the HOV lane as soon as it's safe to do so.

Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Ch6 Turning p.39 (HOV Preferential Lane)

1. Two completely different speed limits posted for two separate lanes
2. A choice between two rest areas only
3. Directions to two different destinations from that point
4. Distances to two toll booths

Correct answer: Directions to two different destinations from that point. This sign combines two destination names and arrows on one panel, letting drivers see both options for direction at once.

Source: MUTCD 2009 Sec. 2D.37

1. Driving to a late movie with friends
2. Driving around for leisure at night
3. Driving to and from work, documented by the employer
4. Driving to a party with no documentation

Correct answer: Driving to and from work, documented by the employer. New Mexico recognizes documented work travel, among others, as a valid curfew exception.

Source: New Mexico Driver Handbook, Provisional License

1. $5,000
2. $20,000
3. $25,000
4. $10,000

Correct answer: $10,000. New Mexico sets a separate $10,000 minimum for damage to another person's property in a single crash.

Source: New Mexico Driver Handbook, Financial Responsibility Law