New Mexico: Road signs Practice Test
Regulatory, warning, lane-use, destination and service signs in the New Mexico Driver Manual.
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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 29 questions in this practice test
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Besides traffic signals, signs and pavement markings, who else can provide traffic control that you must obey?
- Only uniformed police officers in marked patrol cars
- Only highway personnel who are holding a flag
- Pedestrians who are waiting at a crosswalk
- Law enforcement, highway personnel or school crossing guards
Show answer
Correct answer: Law enforcement, highway personnel or school crossing guards
Traffic control can also be provided by law enforcement, highway personnel or school crossing guards, and you must obey their directions.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 3
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What do warning signs tell you to do?
- Stop completely at once
- Speed up and pass quickly
- Slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary
- Pull over to the right side of the road
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Correct answer: Slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary
Warning signs warn you to slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary because a special situation or hazard is ahead.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 4
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A diamond-shaped warning sign shows a large plus symbol. What is it called in the manual?
- Cross Road
- Merging Traffic
- Hill
- Two-Way Traffic
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Correct answer: Cross Road
The warning sign with a plus symbol is the Cross Road sign.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 5
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A diamond-shaped warning sign shows a traffic light with three lamps. What does it warn you about?
- Cross Road
- Pedestrian Crossing
- Signal Ahead
- Merging Traffic
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Correct answer: Signal Ahead
A diamond warning sign with a traffic light symbol is the Signal Ahead sign.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 5
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A diamond-shaped warning sign shows an upward arrow with a second lane joining it from the lower right. What is it called in the manual?
- Right Lane Ends
- Merging Traffic
- Divided Highway Ends
- Cross Road
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Correct answer: Merging Traffic
The warning sign showing a lane joining a straight arrow is the Merging Traffic sign.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 5
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A diamond-shaped warning sign shows two arrows side by side, one pointing up and one pointing down. What is it called in the manual?
- Low Bridge
- Divided Highway
- Merging Traffic
- Two-Way Traffic
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Correct answer: Two-Way Traffic
A warning sign with one upward and one downward arrow is the Two-Way Traffic sign.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 5
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A diamond-shaped warning sign shows a straight line on the left and a line on the right that curves in toward it. What is it called in the manual?
- Merging Traffic
- Right Lane Ends
- Slippery When Wet
- Divided Highway Ends
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Correct answer: Right Lane Ends
A warning sign with a straight left line and a right line curving in toward it is the Right Lane Ends sign.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 5
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A diamond-shaped warning sign shows a walking person above two horizontal lines. What is it called in the manual?
- School Zone
- Signal Ahead
- Slippery When Wet
- Pedestrian Crossing
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Correct answer: Pedestrian Crossing
A diamond warning sign with a walking person above two horizontal lines is the Pedestrian Crossing sign.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 5
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A diamond-shaped warning sign shows the numbers 12'-6" between an upward arrow and a downward arrow. What is it called in the manual?
- Low Bridge
- Hill
- Two-Way Traffic
- Divided Highway
Show answer
Correct answer: Low Bridge
A warning sign with a height measurement between two arrows is the Low Bridge sign.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 5
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A diamond-shaped warning sign shows a car with curving skid marks behind it. What is it called in the manual?
- Hill
- Cross Road
- Slippery When Wet
- Right Lane Ends
Show answer
Correct answer: Slippery When Wet
The warning sign with a skidding car symbol is the Slippery When Wet sign.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 5
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A regulatory sign shows a red circle with a red slash over a symbol, such as a turning arrow. What does it mean?
- The action shown is required
- The action shown is allowed only at night
- The action shown is prohibited
- The action shown is allowed only for trucks
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Correct answer: The action shown is prohibited
A red circle with a red slash over a symbol prohibits certain actions, such as a left turn, right turn or U-turn.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 6
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What do lane use control signs tell you?
- How far it is to the next exit
- Where passing is not permitted
- The maximum speed allowed in the lane
- Where you can go and where you can turn
Show answer
Correct answer: Where you can go and where you can turn
Lane use control signs tell you where you can go and where you can turn, and they often use an arrow symbol.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 7
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Where may lane use control signs be located?
- On the roadside or hanging over the lane
- Only on the side of the road, never overhead
- Only painted on the pavement surface of the lane
- Only on the back of a slow moving vehicle
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Correct answer: On the roadside or hanging over the lane
Lane use control signs can be on the side of the road or hanging over the lane, and arrows may also be painted on the road.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 7
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What are passing areas on no passing signs based on?
- The posted speed limit
- The amount of traffic on the road
- How far you can see ahead
- The width of the road
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Correct answer: How far you can see ahead
Passing areas are based on how far you can see ahead.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 7
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Which of these do no passing signs take into account?
- Hills, curves, intersections and driveways
- The time of day and the weather conditions
- The color and size of the vehicle ahead of you
- The number of lanes and the width of the road
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Correct answer: Hills, curves, intersections and driveways
No passing areas consider unseen hazards such as hills and curves, intersections, driveways and other places a vehicle may enter the roadway.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 7
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Where passing is permitted, when may you pass another vehicle?
- Whenever the vehicle ahead is slower than you
- Whenever no other sign prohibits it
- Only if it is safe
- Whenever the lane to your left looks empty
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Correct answer: Only if it is safe
Where it is permitted to pass, you may do so only if it is safe.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 7
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At a stop sign, where must you come to a full stop?
- Past the stop line, at the edge of the cross street
- Anywhere before the crosswalk, rolling slowly
- Only where the cross traffic is visible
- At the stop sign or at the stop line, if one is present
Show answer
Correct answer: At the stop sign or at the stop line, if one is present
You must come to a full stop at a stop sign or stop line, if one is present.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 7
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At a stop sign, when may you pull forward?
- As soon as you have honked and flashed your lights
- Once crossing vehicles and pedestrians have cleared
- As soon as the first crossing vehicle has passed
- After you have counted slowly to ten seconds
Show answer
Correct answer: Once crossing vehicles and pedestrians have cleared
You must wait until crossing vehicles and pedestrians have cleared and pull forward only when it is safe.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 7
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What does a yield sign mean you must do?
- Slow down and yield the right-of-way
- Come to a full stop every single time
- Speed up to merge ahead of other traffic
- Stop only when a pedestrian is crossing
Show answer
Correct answer: Slow down and yield the right-of-way
A yield sign means you must slow down and yield the right-of-way to traffic in the intersection you are crossing or the roadway you are entering.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 7
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A square sign shows a white horizontal line inside a red circle. Where will you see it?
- At the entrance to every school zone area
- At railroad crossings that have crossing gates
- At exit ramps where you would go the wrong way
- At the beginning of each marked passing zone
Show answer
Correct answer: At exit ramps where you would go the wrong way
A Do Not Enter sign marks roadway openings you should not enter, such as exit ramps where you would be going in the wrong direction, crossovers on divided roadways and one-way streets.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 7
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On which vehicles might you see a reflective orange triangle on the rear?
- Farm vehicles or horse drawn wagons
- Ambulances and fire engines in emergencies
- Mail trucks and city school buses
- Police cars and highway tow trucks
Show answer
Correct answer: Farm vehicles or horse drawn wagons
A slow moving vehicle decal may be seen on construction equipment, farm vehicles and horse drawn wagons or carriages.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 7
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What do destination signs show?
- The location of rest areas and gas stations
- Directions and distance to cities or airports
- The type of roadway you are driving on
- Where passing is not permitted on a hill
Show answer
Correct answer: Directions and distance to cities or airports
Destination signs show directions and distance to locations such as cities, airports, state lines, national parks, historical areas or museums.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 8
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What do service signs show?
- The directions and distance to cities and state lines
- The location of rest areas, gas stations or hospitals
- The type of road you are traveling on, by color
- Where you may not pass another vehicle on a hill
Show answer
Correct answer: The location of rest areas, gas stations or hospitals
Service signs show the location of various services such as rest areas, gas stations, campgrounds or hospitals.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 8
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What do the shape and color of route number signs indicate?
- The speed limit on that roadway
- The number of lanes on that roadway
- The distance to the next town
- The type of roadway you are on
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Correct answer: The type of roadway you are on
The shape and color of route number signs indicate the type of roadway: interstate, U.S., state, city or county road.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 8
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The manual says that when planning a trip you should use what to determine your route?
- A road map
- Destination signs along the road
- A list of service signs
- A highway patrol report
Show answer
Correct answer: A road map
When planning a trip, you should use a road map to determine your route.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 8
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What does a reserved-lane sign with the word “Transit” or “bus” mean?
- The lane is for bus use only
- The lane is for buses and taxis
- The lane is for any vehicle carrying passengers
- The lane is for slow-moving vehicles
Show answer
Correct answer: The lane is for bus use only
A “Transit” or “bus” reserved lane is for bus use only.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 9
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An “HOV” lane is reserved for which vehicles?
- Vehicles carrying heavy loads
- Vehicles with more than one person in them
- Vehicles with only one person in them
- Vehicles hauling trailers
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Correct answer: Vehicles with more than one person in them
“HOV” stands for “High Occupancy Vehicles” and indicates lanes reserved for vehicles with more than one person in them.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 9
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A sign says “HOV 3”. What does it mean?
- The vehicle may carry no more than three people
- The lane is open only after three o'clock
- There must be at least three people in the vehicle
- The lane is for vehicles with three or more axles
Show answer
Correct answer: There must be at least three people in the vehicle
On an HOV sign the number tells how many people must be in the vehicle, so “HOV 3” means at least three people.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 9
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What often marks a reserved lane at the side of the road or on the road surface?
- A white diamond
- A white triangle
- A yellow circle
- A green square
Show answer
Correct answer: A white diamond
Reserved lanes are marked by signs and often have a white diamond posted at the side of the road or painted on the road surface.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 9