New Mexico: Vision, fatigue and distractions Practice Test
Seeing well, fatigue on long trips, illness, emotions and cell phones while driving.
Independent educational site · not affiliated with any government agency or DMV
Ready? Test yourself
- Instant feedback with an explanation
- Every answer cites its source in the manual
- Your best score is saved on this device
- Keyboard: press 1 to 4 to answer and Enter for the next question
Questions are original and based on the official manual "New Mexico Driver Manual" (Version 11.19.19), New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD).
All 22 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
Show the questions and answersHide the questions
-
What does good side vision let you do while you look ahead?
- Read road signs from a much greater distance away
- See clearly when looking straight into the sun
- Spot vehicles and other trouble on either side of you
- Stop your vehicle in a much shorter distance than usual
Show answer
Correct answer: Spot vehicles and other trouble on either side of you
Side vision lets you see "out the corner of your eye", so you can spot vehicles and other potential trouble on either side while looking ahead.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 28
-
Even if you can see clearly, what may you still be unable to do very well?
- Hear horns and sirens
- Judge distances or speeds
- Read a road sign at night
- Tell one color from another
Show answer
Correct answer: Judge distances or speeds
The manual says that even clear vision does not guarantee you can judge distances or speeds well, and many people have problems with this.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 28
-
If you have problems seeing at night, what does the manual tell you to do?
- Wear dark glasses to cut down the glare from headlights
- Drive faster so that the trip is over sooner
- Switch to tinted contact lenses before you drive
- Don't drive more than necessary and be very careful
Show answer
Correct answer: Don't drive more than necessary and be very careful
Drivers who have trouble with glare at night should drive only when necessary and be very careful when they do.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 28
-
Why should you avoid dark glasses or tinted contact lenses at night?
- They make oncoming headlights look much brighter
- They slow down how quickly you can react at night
- They make it harder to judge the speed of cars
- They cut down the light that you need to see clearly
Show answer
Correct answer: They cut down the light that you need to see clearly
Even if they seem to help with glare, dark glasses and tinted contact lenses reduce the light you need to see clearly at night.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 28
-
If you need glasses or contact lenses for driving, when should you wear them?
- Only at night
- Every time you drive
- Only on long trips
- Only when the sun is bright
Show answer
Correct answer: Every time you drive
The manual says to remember to always wear glasses or contact lenses when you drive if you need them for driving.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 28
-
How does being tired affect you as a driver?
- You make decisions more quickly
- You become calmer and harder to upset
- You do not see as well and are less alert
- Your night vision gets better
Show answer
Correct answer: You do not see as well and are less alert
When you are tired you do not see as well, are not as alert, take longer to decide, and can be more irritable.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 28
-
What does the manual say about leaving on a long trip when you are already tired?
- Don't leave; plan the trip so you can leave rested
- Leave anyway and stop for a nap if you feel sleepy
- Leave and drink coffee to stay awake on the road
- Leave only after eating a large meal first
Show answer
Correct answer: Don't leave; plan the trip so you can leave rested
The manual advises not leaving on a trip if you are already tired and planning trips so you can leave when rested.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 28
-
What does the manual say about eating before a long trip?
- Eat a large meal so you stay alert longer
- Eat lightly; a big meal makes some people sleepy
- Eat nothing at all before you leave on the trip
- Eat a large meal and then take a short nap
Show answer
Correct answer: Eat lightly; a big meal makes some people sleepy
Eating lightly helps you avoid getting sleepy; some people get sleepy after they eat a big meal.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 28
-
On a long trip, how often should you take a break?
- Every three hours, no matter how you feel
- Every five hours or so
- Only when the car needs fuel
- Every hour or so, or when you need to
Show answer
Correct answer: Every hour or so, or when you need to
The manual says to stop every hour or so or when you need to, walk around and get some fresh air.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 28
-
If you are sleepy while driving, what does the manual say is better than taking a chance?
- Stopping and sleeping for a few hours
- Driving faster to finish the trip sooner
- Opening the windows and keeping on driving
- Turning up the radio and keeping on driving
Show answer
Correct answer: Stopping and sleeping for a few hours
The manual says to never drive if you are sleepy; it is better to stop and sleep for a few hours than to risk staying awake.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 28
-
On a long trip, what does the manual suggest if possible so you can sleep?
- Drive only at night
- Pull onto the shoulder and nap for five minutes
- Switch driving tasks with another driver
- Take a medicine that makes you drowsy
Show answer
Correct answer: Switch driving tasks with another driver
If possible, switch driving tasks with another driver so you can sleep while they drive.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 28
-
If you are not feeling well and need to go somewhere, what does the manual say to do?
- Drive, but only on slow roads
- Drive in the right lane at a lower speed
- Take a medicine and then drive
- Let someone else drive
Show answer
Correct answer: Let someone else drive
The manual says that if you are not feeling well and need to go somewhere, you should let someone else drive.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 30
-
When should diabetics who take insulin not drive?
- When it is dark outside and there is a lot of traffic
- Within an hour or two after eating a regular meal
- When there is any chance of an insulin reaction or shock
- When they last saw their doctor more than a year ago
Show answer
Correct answer: When there is any chance of an insulin reaction or shock
Diabetics who take insulin should not drive when there is any chance of an insulin reaction, blackout, convulsion or shock.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 30
-
What can cause an insulin reaction, blackout, convulsion or shock, according to the manual?
- Skipping a meal or snack or a wrong amount of insulin
- Eating a very large meal right before you drive
- Driving for more than an hour without a break
- Wearing tinted glasses while you drive at night
Show answer
Correct answer: Skipping a meal or snack or a wrong amount of insulin
The manual says such a situation could result from skipping a meal or snack or from taking the wrong amount of insulin.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 30
-
When might it be a good idea for a diabetic to have someone else drive?
- Whenever the diabetic has to drive at night
- Only on trips that last more than an hour
- Only when the diabetic is feeling very dizzy
- While the doctor is adjusting the insulin dosage
Show answer
Correct answer: While the doctor is adjusting the insulin dosage
It might be a good idea to have someone else drive during times when your doctor is adjusting your insulin dosage.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 30
-
If you have diabetes, what should you have checked regularly?
- Your hearing, for possible loss of hearing in one ear
- Your eyes, for night blindness or other vision problems
- Your reflexes, for possible slow reaction times
- Your sense of balance, for possible dizzy spells
Show answer
Correct answer: Your eyes, for night blindness or other vision problems
If you have diabetes you should have your eyes checked regularly for possible night blindness or other vision problems.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 30
-
If you are seeing a doctor for a heart condition, what does the manual say to ask?
- If the condition could affect your driving safely
- Whether you need extra insurance coverage to drive
- Whether you can skip the vision test at renewal
- Whether a passenger must drive you everywhere
Show answer
Correct answer: If the condition could affect your driving safely
The manual says to ask the doctor if a heart condition could affect your driving safely.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 30
-
If you are angry or excited, what does the manual say to do?
- Drive fast on an open road to burn off the energy
- Drive on a quiet back road until you calm down
- Cool off, and stay off the road until you are calm
- Turn up the radio and keep on driving as usual
Show answer
Correct answer: Cool off, and stay off the road until you are calm
If you are angry or excited, give yourself time to cool off, take a short walk if necessary, and stay off the road until you have calmed down.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 30
-
If you are worried, down or upset about something, what does the manual say to try?
- Think about the problem so you can solve it
- Keep your mind on your driving
- Drive faster to get where you are going
- Close your eyes for a few seconds to relax
Show answer
Correct answer: Keep your mind on your driving
If you are worried, down or upset about something, try to keep your mind on your driving; some find listening to the radio helps.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 30
-
What does the manual say to do about placing or taking a call on a cell phone?
- Hold the phone below the dashboard while driving
- Keep calls short and drive in the left lane
- Take calls only on the freeway where it is safer
- Pull over to the side of the road whenever possible
Show answer
Correct answer: Pull over to the side of the road whenever possible
The manual says to pull over to the side of the road to place or take a call whenever possible.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 30
-
What does the manual say about dialing, or even just talking, on a cell phone?
- It is safe if you hold the phone with one hand
- It is dangerous only at night
- It is dangerous only on the freeway
- It can be a dangerous distraction from safe driving
Show answer
Correct answer: It can be a dangerous distraction from safe driving
Dialing, or even just talking on a cell phone, can be a dangerous distraction from safe driving.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 30
-
What does the manual say about using a cell phone while driving in some towns?
- It is legal unless you are driving in a school zone
- It is illegal unless you are using a hands-free device
- It is illegal only at night
- It is legal if you keep each call short
Show answer
Correct answer: It is illegal unless you are using a hands-free device
The manual says it is illegal in some towns to use a cell phone while driving unless you are using a hands-free device.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 30