New Mexico permit test: distracted & drowsy driving
Phone and texting laws, other distractions and fatigue. 4 questions.
According to the New Mexico manual, what is the best practice when you need to make or take a phone call while driving?
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.
Sample distracted & drowsy driving questions
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
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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.
You feel very sleepy while driving. What does the manual recommend?
- A Stop and sleep for a few hours
- B Open the window and keep going
- C Turn up the radio loud
- D Drive faster to finish sooner
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A. Stop and sleep for a few hours
Never drive if you are sleepy. It is better to stop and sleep for a few hours than to gamble on staying awake, or switch drivers if possible.
You are very angry after an argument and need to drive. What should you do?
- A Drive fast to burn off the anger
- B Drive, but take a shortcut
- C Call someone and talk while driving
- D Give yourself time to cool off first
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D. Give yourself time to cool off first
Strong emotions affect safe driving. If you are angry or excited, give yourself time to cool off, even with a short walk, and stay off the road until you calm down.
You are 30, fully licensed, and stopped at a red light in New Mexico when a text message arrives on the phone in your hand. What does state law say?
- A You may read it, since the car is not moving
- B You may not read it or type a reply until you are no longer driving
- C You may read it but not type a reply
- D You may read and reply only if the light stays red
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B. You may not read it or type a reply until you are no longer driving
New Mexico law bans reading, viewing or manually typing a text on a handheld device while driving, and driving includes being temporarily stopped in traffic or at a light or stop sign. The only exception is calling for medical or other emergency help. A red light can change at any moment, so your attention must stay on the road.
Source: New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (Taxation and Revenue Department) website