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New Mexico: Right-of-way and turning — Part 1 Practice Test

Questions in this part include: “When may you back a vehicle in a travel lane?” · “If you are confused about where to go while in a travel lane, what should you do instead of stopping there?”

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18 questions · About 7 min

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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 18 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.

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  1. When turning right or left at an intersection, what should you watch for?

    Top view of a city intersection: a blue car with its right turn signal on drives near the right curb of a two-lane street before a cross street with two lanes each way, and a white car follows close behind it.
    • Vehicles that are parked far behind you
    • Trains that are approaching in the distance
    • Vehicles that are changing lanes a block away
    • Pedestrians crossing in front of your vehicle
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    Correct answer: Pedestrians crossing in front of your vehicle

    When turning right or left, you should watch for pedestrians crossing in front of your vehicle.

    Source: ⁨New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19)⁩, page 4

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  2. What are shared center lanes reserved for?

    Top view of a city street with one travel lane in each direction and a wide center lane between them, bordered on both sides by a solid and a broken yellow line. The center lane is empty. A blue car drives in the right lane and two cars come the other way, with shops and driveways along the curbs.
    • Left turns by vehicles traveling in one direction only
    • Passing slower vehicles in either direction
    • Emergency vehicles traveling in both directions
    • Left turns by vehicles traveling in both directions
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Left turns by vehicles traveling in both directions

    Shared center lanes are reserved for left turns (or U-turns when permitted) and can be used by vehicles traveling in both directions.

    Source: ⁨New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19)⁩, page 9

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  3. When may you back a vehicle in a travel lane?

    • When you miss your turn
    • When the road behind you is clear
    • When another driver is waiting behind you
    • Only to parallel park
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Only to parallel park

    You must never back a vehicle in any travel lane except to parallel park; it is illegal and unsafe.

    Source: ⁨New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19)⁩, page 10

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  4. What should you do if you miss your turn or exit?

    A blue car in the right lane of a three-lane highway just past an exit ramp and its green EXIT sign, the ramp curving away behind it with a car on it
    • Back up along the shoulder to the turn
    • Stop in the lane and wait for a gap
    • Go on to where you can safely turn around
    • Back up slowly with your hazard lights on
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Go on to where you can safely turn around

    Do not back up if you miss your turn or exit; go on to where you can safely turn around.

    Source: ⁨New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19)⁩, page 10

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  5. If you are confused about where to go while in a travel lane, what should you do instead of stopping there?

    • Keep moving until you can safely pull off the road
    • Stop and turn on your hazard lights
    • Slow to a stop in the center travel lane
    • Stop only long enough to let out a passenger
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Keep moving until you can safely pull off the road

    You should not stop in travel lanes for any reason; keep moving until you can safely pull off the road.

    Source: ⁨New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19)⁩, page 10

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  6. On a road with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction, which lane should you stay in except to pass?

    Top view of a highway with three lanes going the same way and cars in all three lanes, an entrance ramp joining on the right and an exit ramp leaving on the right farther ahead.
    • The left lane
    • The right lane
    • The center lane
    • The lane with the least traffic
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    Correct answer: The right lane

    On a road with two or more lanes in the same direction, you should stay in the right lane except to pass.

    Source: ⁨New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19)⁩, page 10

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  7. On a road with three or more lanes traveling in your direction and a lot of entering or exiting traffic, which lane should you use?

    Top view of a highway with three lanes going the same way and cars in all three lanes, an entrance ramp joining on the right and an exit ramp leaving on the right farther ahead.
    • The left-most lane
    • The center travel lane
    • The shoulder
    • Whichever lane has the fewest cars
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    Correct answer: The center travel lane

    On a road with three or more lanes in the same direction, use the center travel lane if there is a lot of entering or exiting traffic.

    Source: ⁨New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19)⁩, page 10

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  8. When may you drive on the shoulder of the road?

    A blue car behind a slower red car on a two-lane road, with a dashed arrow curving onto the paved shoulder.
    • When traffic ahead is moving slowly
    • When you are passing a slower vehicle
    • Only when told to do so by officials
    • When the shoulder is paved
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Only when told to do so by officials

    Unless officials tell you to, you must never drive on the shoulder of the road.

    Source: ⁨New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19)⁩, page 10

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  9. On multi-lane roads, which lane is intended to be used for passing slower vehicles?

    Top view of a highway with three lanes going the same way and cars in all three lanes, an entrance ramp joining on the right and an exit ramp leaving on the right farther ahead.
    • The left-most lane
    • The right-most lane
    • The center lane
    • The shoulder
    Show answer

    Correct answer: The left-most lane

    On multi-lane roads, the left-most lane is intended to be used for passing slower vehicles.

    Source: ⁨New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19)⁩, page 10

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  10. According to the manual, what can happen if you pass on the right?

    Top view of a road with two lanes going the same way: a white car in the left lane and a blue car in the right lane, level with the white car's rear door.
    • The other driver will be unable to hear your horn and may speed up
    • Your vehicle may be too wide to fit between the lanes
    • Your headlights may blind the driver you are passing
    • The other driver may have difficulty seeing you and suddenly change lanes
    Show answer

    Correct answer: The other driver may have difficulty seeing you and suddenly change lanes

    If you pass on the right, the other driver may have difficulty seeing you and might suddenly change lanes in front of you.

    Source: ⁨New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19)⁩, page 10

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  11. May you pass on the shoulder if it is paved?

    A blue car behind a slower red car on a two-lane road, with a dashed arrow curving onto the paved shoulder.
    • Yes, if the shoulder is paved
    • No, never pass on the shoulder, paved or not
    • Yes, if the shoulder is wide enough for your vehicle
    • Yes, if you sound your horn first
    Show answer

    Correct answer: No, never pass on the shoulder, paved or not

    You must never pass on the shoulder, whether it is paved or not, because other drivers will never expect you there.

    Source: ⁨New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19)⁩, page 10

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  12. Where there are no signs or lane markings to control turning, which lane should you turn from?

    • The center lane, whatever direction you plan to turn
    • The lane with the least traffic in it at that moment
    • The left-most lane, whatever direction you plan to turn
    • The lane closest to the direction you want to go
    Show answer

    Correct answer: The lane closest to the direction you want to go

    You should turn from the lane that is closest to the direction you want to go and turn into the lane closest to the one you came from.

    Source: ⁨New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19)⁩, page 10

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  13. Why should you turn from the closest lane into the lane closest to the one you came from when no signs or markings control the turn?

    • You will be able to turn faster
    • You will not need to use a turn signal
    • You will cross the fewest lanes of traffic
    • You will avoid stopping at the intersection
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    Correct answer: You will cross the fewest lanes of traffic

    Turning from the closest lane into the closest lane means you will cross the fewest lanes of traffic.

    Source: ⁨New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19)⁩, page 10

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  14. When should you use turn signals?

    Close view of a dark instrument panel with two round dials and a small fuel gauge between them; above, a green arrow pointing left glows and a grey arrow pointing right stays dark.
    • Always, when changing lanes or turning
    • Only when other vehicles are nearby
    • Only at night
    • Only when turning left
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    Correct answer: Always, when changing lanes or turning

    You should always use turn signals when changing lanes or turning.

    Source: ⁨New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19)⁩, page 10

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  15. What should you avoid when making a right turn?

    Top view of a city intersection: a blue car with its right turn signal on drives near the right curb of a two-lane street before a cross street with two lanes each way, and a white car follows close behind it.
    • Slowing down before you begin the turn
    • Using your right turn signal early
    • Checking traffic behind you first
    • Swinging wide to the left before turning
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Swinging wide to the left before turning

    On right turns, avoid swinging wide to the left before turning.

    Source: ⁨New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19)⁩, page 10

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  16. If you swing wide to the left before a right turn, what might the driver behind you do?

    Top view of a city intersection: a blue car with its right turn signal on drives near the right curb of a two-lane street before a cross street with two lanes each way, and a white car follows close behind it.
    • Stop and wait for you to finish
    • Try to pass you on the right
    • Turn left at the same time
    • Follow you around the turn
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Try to pass you on the right

    If you swing wide, the driver behind you may think you are changing lanes or turning left and may try to pass you on the right.

    Source: ⁨New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19)⁩, page 10

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  17. When making a left turn, what should you be sure to leave room for?

    A blue car turning left on green, with an oncoming car, a car on the cross street and a pedestrian in the crosswalk
    • Oncoming vehicles to turn left in front of you
    • Vehicles behind you to pass you on the right
    • Pedestrians to cross behind your vehicle
    • Other drivers to merge into your lane
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Oncoming vehicles to turn left in front of you

    When making a left turn, be sure to leave room for oncoming vehicles to turn left in front of you.

    Source: ⁨New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19)⁩, page 11

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  18. What should you avoid when making a left turn?

    A car inside an intersection waiting to turn left, with its left turn signal on and an oncoming car approaching
    • Using your turn signal
    • Slowing down before the turn
    • Cutting the corner too sharply
    • Looking for oncoming vehicles
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Cutting the corner too sharply

    When making a left turn, avoid cutting the corner so sharply that you run into someone approaching from the left.

    Source: ⁨New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19)⁩, page 11

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