New Mexico: Licensing basics Practice Test
New Mexico’s graduated license system: the instructional permit from 15, driver education, supervised practice, the provisional license and its night and passenger limits, the unrestricted license and renewal.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "New Mexico Driver Manual" (Version 11.19.19), New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD).
All 31 questions in this practice test
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Which drivers must take part in New Mexico's graduated driver license system until they meet the requirements for an unrestricted license?
- Drivers under the age of 18
- Drivers under the age of 21
- Drivers who are new residents of the state
- Drivers who have never owned a car
Show answer
Correct answer: Drivers under the age of 18
The manual says drivers under 18 must participate in the graduated driver license system until they meet the requirements for an unrestricted license.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 1
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The manual says an instructional permit is also known as what?
- A provisional permit
- A starter license
- A learners permit
- A restricted card
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Correct answer: A learners permit
The manual lists the instructional permit as also known as a "learners permit".
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 1
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A driver with an instructional permit is driving a car. The supervising driver must be at least how old?
- 18 years of age
- 21 years of age
- 19 years of age
- 25 years of age
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Correct answer: 21 years of age
An instructional permit allows you to drive when supervised by another driver who is at least 21 years of age and licensed to drive that type of vehicle.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 1
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Where must the licensed driver sit when a permit holder is driving a car?
- In the rear seat behind the driver
- In the left rear seat
- In any seat of the vehicle
- In the right front seat
Show answer
Correct answer: In the right front seat
In all vehicles except motorcycles, the supervising licensed driver must sit in the right front seat.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 1
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What must the licensed driver do when a permit holder is riding a motorcycle?
- Ride on the back of the learner's motorcycle
- Follow the learner
- Ride ahead of the learner
- Watch from the side of the road
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Correct answer: Follow the learner
On motorcycles, the licensed driver must follow the learner.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 1
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What is the minimum age for an instructional permit?
- 14 years
- 16 years
- 17 years
- 15 years
Show answer
Correct answer: 15 years
The manual states the minimum age for an instructional permit is 15 years of age.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 1
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If you are under 18 and apply for an instructional permit, what must you also have?
- A consent form signed by your parent or guardian
- A letter signed by your school principal and teacher
- A medical clearance note signed by your doctor
- A certificate showing you passed a road test
Show answer
Correct answer: A consent form signed by your parent or guardian
Applicants under 18 must also have a consent form signed by a parent or guardian.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 1
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Which tests must you pass to obtain an instructional permit?
- The knowledge test and the road test
- The vision test and the road test
- The knowledge test and the vision test
- The road test only
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Correct answer: The knowledge test and the vision test
To obtain an instructional permit you must pass the knowledge test and the vision test.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 1
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For how long must the driver retain the instructional permit?
- At least six months
- At least three months
- At least nine months
- At least two years
Show answer
Correct answer: At least six months
The manual says the driver must retain the instructional permit for at least six months.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 1
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A permit holder who is 15 or older must attend a driver education course approved by the Traffic Safety Bureau. What does the course include?
- First-aid training and vehicle repair
- Motorcycle safety and map reading
- DWI education and practice driving
- Road test scoring and parking practice
Show answer
Correct answer: DWI education and practice driving
The approved driver education course includes DWI education and practice driving.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 1
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A permit holder drives with a licensed driver 21 or older instead of an approved instructor. How long must that licensed driver have been licensed?
- At least one year
- At least three years
- At least five years
- At least six months
Show answer
Correct answer: At least three years
The supervising driver must have been licensed for at least three years in this state or any other state.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 1
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A provisional license allows you to drive without supervision, except during which hours?
- Between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM
- Between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM
- Between 9:00 PM and 4:00 AM
- Between midnight and 5:00 AM
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Correct answer: Between midnight and 5:00 AM
A provisional license allows driving without supervision except during the hours of midnight and 5:00 AM.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 1
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Unless a licensed driver 21 or older is in the vehicle, how many other passengers under 21 who are not immediate family may a provisional licensee have?
- No passengers at all
- No more than one
- No more than two
- No more than three
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Correct answer: No more than one
Without a licensed driver 21 or older in the vehicle, a provisional licensee may not have more than one other passenger under 21 who is not immediate family.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 1
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What is the minimum amount of practice driving required for a provisional license?
- 30 hours
- 40 hours
- 100 hours
- 50 hours
Show answer
Correct answer: 50 hours
The driver must complete not less than 50 hours of practice driving, including 10 hours at night.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 1
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How many hours of the practice driving required for a provisional license must be nighttime driving?
- At least 10 hours
- At least 5 hours
- At least 15 hours
- At least 20 hours
Show answer
Correct answer: At least 10 hours
The practice driving must include not less than 10 hours of nighttime driving.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 1
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Who certifies that a driver has completed the practice driving required for a provisional license?
- The driver education instructor
- A police officer
- The parent or guardian
- The driver's school principal
Show answer
Correct answer: The parent or guardian
The parent or guardian shall certify that the driver has completed the practice driving part.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 1
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What is the minimum age to receive a provisional license if the driver has held an instructional permit for 6 months?
- 15 years
- 16 years
- 15 years and 6 months
- 16 years and 6 months
Show answer
Correct answer: 15 years and 6 months
The minimum age for a provisional license is 15 years and 6 months for a driver who has held an instructional permit for 6 months.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 1
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A driver applying for a provisional license must not have been convicted of a traffic violation in the previous how many days?
- 30 days
- 90 days
- 60 days
- 180 days
Show answer
Correct answer: 90 days
The manual requires that the driver not have been convicted of a traffic violation in the 90 days before applying for a provisional license.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 2
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A provisional licensee drives to and from work between midnight and 5:00 AM. What shows that this is allowed?
- A signed statement from a police officer
- A signed statement from a judge
- A pay stub from the past week
- A signed statement from the licensee's employer
Show answer
Correct answer: A signed statement from the licensee's employer
Driving to and from work is allowed at any hour when shown by a signed statement from the licensee's employer.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 2
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Who may sign the statement for a provisional licensee who drives to and from school or a religious activity between midnight and 5:00 AM?
- A judge or a police officer who knows the family well
- A school or religious representative, or a parent or guardian
- A neighbor who lives near the school or church
- The licensee, in a signed note about the trip
Show answer
Correct answer: A school or religious representative, or a parent or guardian
The statement may be signed by a representative of the school or of the religious activity, or by a parent or guardian.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 2
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A provisional licensee must drive between midnight and 5:00 AM because of family necessity. What shows this?
- A signed statement of a police officer
- A signed statement of a judge
- A letter from the licensee's doctor
- A signed statement of a parent or guardian
Show answer
Correct answer: A signed statement of a parent or guardian
Family necessity is shown by a signed statement of a parent or guardian.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 2
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A provisional licensee may drive between midnight and 5:00 AM when accompanied by a licensed driver of what age?
- Twenty-one years or older
- Eighteen years or older
- Nineteen years or older
- Twenty-five years or older
Show answer
Correct answer: Twenty-one years or older
A provisional licensee may drive at any hour when accompanied by a licensed driver twenty-one years or older.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 2
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For an unrestricted driver license, how long must the driver have held a provisional license immediately before applying?
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 12 months
- 24 months
Show answer
Correct answer: 12 months
The driver must have held a provisional license for the 12-month period immediately before applying for an unrestricted license.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 2
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To apply for an unrestricted driver license, a driver must not have been convicted of a traffic violation within how many days?
- 90 days
- 30 days
- 45 days
- 180 days
Show answer
Correct answer: 90 days
The driver must not have been convicted of a traffic violation 90 days before applying for an unrestricted license.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 2
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Which of these is a requirement for an unrestricted driver license?
- A consent form signed by a parent or guardian
- A signed statement from an employer
- No traffic violations pending when applying
- A second road test with an MVD examiner
Show answer
Correct answer: No traffic violations pending when applying
The driver must not have any traffic violations pending at the time of the application for a driver license.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 2
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How long is a New Mexico driver license valid?
- Either 2 or 4 years
- Either 3 or 6 years
- Either 5 or 10 years
- Either 4 or 8 years
Show answer
Correct answer: Either 4 or 8 years
The manual says a driver license is valid for either 4 or 8 years.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 2
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How early before it expires may you renew your New Mexico driver license?
- Up to 7 days before
- Up to 90 days before
- Up to 30 days before
- Only on the day it expires
Show answer
Correct answer: Up to 90 days before
You may renew your driver license anytime up to 90 days before it expires.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 2
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When you renew your license, which test may you be required to take only in special cases?
- A driving test
- A hearing test
- A medical exam
- A defensive driving course
Show answer
Correct answer: A driving test
At renewal you may be required to take a vision and knowledge test, and in special cases a driving test.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 2
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What vision standard does New Mexico's vision test measure?
- At least 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses
- At least 20/40 vision in both eyes, with or without corrective lenses
- At least 20/40 vision in at least one eye, without corrective lenses
- At least 20/40 vision in each eye, with corrective lenses only
Show answer
Correct answer: At least 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses
New Mexico requires you to pass a vision test showing at least 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 28
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What must New Mexico drivers who have epilepsy, diabetes, adverse heart conditions or other medical problems send to the Motor Vehicle Division?
- Periodic medical statements signed by physicians
- A new road test report from a driving school
- A monthly written statement from a family member
- A copy of their insurance policy each year
Show answer
Correct answer: Periodic medical statements signed by physicians
These drivers are required to send the MVD periodic medical statements signed by their physicians.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 30
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According to the manual, how long should people with epilepsy be stable and seizure free before being issued a driver's license?
- A 1-month period
- A 3-month period
- A 6-month period
- A 12-month period
Show answer
Correct answer: A 6-month period
People with epilepsy should be stable and seizure free for a 6-month period before being issued a driver's license.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 30