New Mexico Permit Practice Test 1
26 questions written from the New Mexico Driver Manual, with an explanation and page citation for every answer.
What is the youngest age at which you can get an instructional (learner's) permit in New Mexico?
Keyboard: press 1–4 or A–D to answer, Enter for the next question, S to save, R to read aloud, P to pause reading, L to listen and answer.
About this test
These questions were written from the New Mexico Driver Manual (ver 11.19.19). 11 of the 21 New Mexico questions in this test cover rules that are specific to New Mexico or differ between states. Every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the exact page it comes from, so you can check it yourself.
Your answers are saved in this browser. Questions you miss go to My mistakes so you can practice them again.
Sample questions from this test
What is the youngest age at which you can get an instructional (learner's) permit in New Mexico?
- A 14
- B 15
- C 16
- D 15 and a half
Show answer
B. 15
In New Mexico you can get an instructional permit at 15, as long as you are enrolled in an approved driver education course. Fifteen and a half is the age for the next stage, the provisional license.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual, page 4
View diagram
Two cars arrive at a four-way stop at the same time. Which one goes first?
- A The vehicle on the left
- B The vehicle on the right
- C The larger vehicle
- D The vehicle going straight
Show answer
B. The vehicle on the right
At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to arrive goes first after a complete stop. If vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first.
What does a flashing red traffic light mean?
- A Slow down and proceed with caution
- B The light is about to turn green
- C Come to a full stop, then go when safe
- D Stop only if cross traffic is present
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C. Come to a full stop, then go when safe
A flashing red light means the same as a stop sign. Come to a full stop, then proceed when it is safe.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual, page 7
According to the New Mexico manual, what is the best practice when you need to make or take a phone call while driving?
- A Pull over to the side of the road
- B Hold the phone at eye level
- C Talk only at red lights
- D Use speakerphone on the highway
Show answer
A. Pull over to the side of the road
Dialing or even talking on a phone can be a dangerous distraction. Pull over to place or take a call whenever possible.
In New Mexico, how is a ticket for driving without insurance handled differently from a speeding ticket?
- A It carries double the points of a speeding ticket
- B It carries no points but requires a court appearance
- C It carries points but no court appearance
- D It is treated as a written warning on a first offense
Show answer
B. It carries no points but requires a court appearance
Violations such as driving without insurance or registration do not carry points. Instead you must appear in court, which can lead to more fines or a suspended license.