New Mexico MVD Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 8

1. Question 1 of 25

   In most states, how far before a turn should you start signaling?

   • AAt least 10 feet
   • BOnly as you begin to turn
   • CAt least half a mile
   • DAt least 100 feet
   Show answer

   Answer: D. At least 100 feet

   Most state laws require you to signal at least 100 feet before you turn. Check your state handbook in case a longer distance applies.

2. Question 2 of 25

   You are passing a car. When is it safe to return to your lane?

   • AAs soon as your rear bumper passes its front bumper
   • BWhen the two cars are side by side
   • CWhen the other driver flashes the headlights
   • DWhen you can see the front of the car you passed in your rearview mirror
   Show answer

   Answer: D. When you can see the front of the car you passed in your rearview mirror

   Return to your lane only when you can see the whole front of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror.

3. Question 3 of 25

   At night you see red reflectors on the road facing you. What does this most likely mean?

   • AYou are entering a school zone
   • BYou are going the wrong way on a one-way road or ramp
   • CThe road ahead is wet
   • DYou are near a fire station
   Show answer

   Answer: B. You are going the wrong way on a one-way road or ramp

   Red raised pavement markers face drivers who are going the wrong way on a one-way road or ramp. Turn around safely right away.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Can cold or allergy medicine you buy without a prescription affect your driving?

   • ANo, only prescription drugs affect driving
   • BOnly if you take it with food
   • CNo, these medicines are always safe
   • DYes, some can make you drowsy, so read the label
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Yes, some can make you drowsy, so read the label

   Many over-the-counter medicines cause drowsiness. Read the warning label and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.

5. Question 5 of 25

   A flagger in a work zone holds up a STOP paddle. What must you do?

   • AStop and wait until the flagger signals you to go
   • BStop only if workers are in your lane
   • CHonk and keep going
   • DSlow down and drive around the flagger
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stop and wait until the flagger signals you to go

   Work zone flaggers are allowed to direct traffic. Their signals must be obeyed like a traffic officer's.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AStop here
   • BThe road ends ahead
   • CA traffic signal is ahead
   • DA STOP sign is ahead; be ready to stop
   Show answer

   Answer: D. A STOP sign is ahead; be ready to stop

   This sign warns of a STOP sign that may be hard to see. Slow down and get ready to stop.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Marking 4 is a solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line. When may you pass?

   • AOnly when the broken line is on your side
   • BWhenever the road ahead looks clear
   • CNever, from either side
   • DOnly when the solid line is on your side
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Only when the broken line is on your side

   With a solid and a broken line together, drivers on the broken-line side may pass when safe. Drivers on the solid side may not.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AThe road ahead becomes a divided highway; keep right
   • BThe divided highway ends
   • CA narrow bridge is ahead
   • DA crossroad is ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The road ahead becomes a divided highway; keep right

   A median or barrier will separate the two directions of traffic. Keep to the right of it.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Which numbered marking means that drivers from both directions may not pass?

   • AMarking 5
   • BMarking 3
   • CMarking 2
   • DMarking 4
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Marking 3

   A double solid yellow line (marking 3) means no passing in either direction.

10. Question 10 of 25

    At a T-intersection with no signs or signals, who has the right-of-way?

    • AThe vehicle turning left
    • BTraffic on the through road
    • CThe largest vehicle
    • DTraffic on the road that ends
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Traffic on the through road

    Drivers on the road that continues straight through have the right-of-way. Drivers on the road that ends must yield.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What is hydroplaning?

    • AWhen a tire slowly loses air
    • BWhen water gets into your engine
    • CWhen your tires ride on a layer of water and lose contact with the road
    • DWhen your brakes overheat on a long hill
    Show answer

    Answer: C. When your tires ride on a layer of water and lose contact with the road

    At higher speeds on wet roads, tires can ride up on water. You then lose steering and braking control.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA hospital zone begins
    • BA school is near; slow down and watch for children
    • CA playground is ahead
    • DAn adults-only crosswalk is ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A school is near; slow down and watch for children

    The five-sided school sign warns that you are near a school. Slow down, watch for children and obey any school speed limit.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What does the red circle with a slash on this sign mean?

    • AThe action shown inside it is not allowed
    • BThe rule applies only at night
    • CThere is danger ahead
    • DThe action shown is allowed
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The action shown inside it is not allowed

    On US regulatory signs, red is used for STOP, YIELD and the circle and slash that ban an action.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AYou may pass if you are careful
    • BYou must not pass other vehicles on this part of the road
    • CSlower traffic must keep right
    • DPass only on the right
    Show answer

    Answer: B. You must not pass other vehicles on this part of the road

    Do not pass until a sign or the road markings show that the no-passing area has ended.

15. Question 15 of 25

    When may you pass another vehicle on the right?

    • AWhen the vehicle ahead is turning left and there is room to pass safely
    • BWhen you can use the shoulder
    • CWhenever the vehicle ahead is slow
    • DOnly on a two-lane road
    Show answer

    Answer: A. When the vehicle ahead is turning left and there is room to pass safely

    You may pass on the right only when it is safe, such as when the car ahead is turning left or on a road with two or more lanes your way. Never use the shoulder.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Zones 1 and 2 are this car's blind spots. Before you change lanes, how should you check them?

    • AHonk and move over slowly
    • BTurn your head and look over your shoulder
    • CUse only the inside rearview mirror
    • DUse only the side mirrors
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Turn your head and look over your shoulder

    Mirrors do not show every area beside you. Look over your shoulder to check the blind spot before you move.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Total stopping distance, as shown, is made up of which two parts?

    • AThe distance you travel while reacting, plus the braking distance
    • BThe braking distance, counted twice
    • CThe reaction distance plus the length of your car
    • DThe distance to the car ahead plus the braking distance
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The distance you travel while reacting, plus the braking distance

    Part 1 is how far you travel while you see the danger and move your foot to the brake. Part 2 is how far you travel after braking until you stop.

18. Question 18 of 25

    How far should you sit from the air bag in the steering wheel?

    • AAt least 3 feet
    • BAs close as you can
    • CAt least 10 inches
    • DAt least 2 inches
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At least 10 inches

    Sit at least 10 inches from the air bag cover, as long as you can still control the vehicle safely.

19. Question 19 of 25

    When is the road often most slippery in the rain?

    • AIn the first minutes after rain starts
    • BJust after the rain stops and the sun comes out
    • CAfter it has rained for many hours
    • DOnly at night
    Show answer

    Answer: A. In the first minutes after rain starts

    When rain begins, it mixes with oil and dirt on the road and makes a slick film. Slow down right away.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Must you yield to a pedestrian crossing at an intersection that has no painted crosswalk lines?

    • AOnly if a crossing guard is there
    • BOnly in school zones
    • CYes, most intersections have unmarked crosswalks where pedestrians have the right-of-way
    • DNo, only painted crosswalks count
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Yes, most intersections have unmarked crosswalks where pedestrians have the right-of-way

    Pedestrians have the right-of-way in both marked and unmarked crosswalks.

21. Question 21 of 25

    The gates at a railroad crossing are coming down. What should you do?

    • ASpeed up and go under the gates
    • BStop on the tracks until the gates rise
    • CStop and wait until the gates are up and the lights stop flashing
    • DDrive around the gates if you cannot see a train
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Stop and wait until the gates are up and the lights stop flashing

    Never drive around or under lowered or lowering gates. Wait until they are fully up.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What usually happens if you refuse a chemical test after an arrest for impaired driving?

    • AYou get a written warning
    • BNothing happens
    • CYour driver license is suspended or revoked
    • DYou must retake the written test only
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Your driver license is suspended or revoked

    Refusing a test brings its own penalties, including losing your license, even if you are not convicted of impaired driving.

23. Question 23 of 25

    At a four-way stop, you and a car facing you stop at the same time. You want to turn left and the other driver is going straight. Who should go first?

    • AYou, because you signaled first
    • BYou, because left turns go first at stop signs
    • CThe driver going straight
    • DWhoever starts moving first
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The driver going straight

    A driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic that is going straight or turning right.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Your car stalls on railroad tracks and a train is coming. What should you do?

    • ATry to push the car off the tracks
    • BRun along the tracks away from the train
    • CStay in the car and keep trying to start it
    • DGet everyone out and walk away from the tracks at an angle toward the train
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Get everyone out and walk away from the tracks at an angle toward the train

    Get out right away. Moving toward the train at an angle keeps you away from flying debris, which spreads in the direction the train is going.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ARight turns only
    • BThe right lane ends
    • CA side road joins from the right
    • DA sharp turn to the right is ahead; slow down a lot
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A sharp turn to the right is ahead; slow down a lot

    A sharp turn needs a much lower speed than a gentle curve. Look for a yellow speed plate under the sign.

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