New Mexico: Signals and vehicle controls — Part 1 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “Where should you look when you steer?” · “Which of these is a time when it is very important to look for vehicles behind you?”
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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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What must you make sure of before you start a vehicle?
- The parking brake is on
- The parking brake is off
- The vehicle is in first gear
- The radio is turned off
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Correct answer: The parking brake is on
The manual says to make sure the parking brake is on before you start the vehicle.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 14
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Before you start a vehicle that has a manual transmission, what must be true of the transmission?
- It must be in first gear
- It must be in reverse
- It must not be in gear
- It must be in the highest gear
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Correct answer: It must not be in gear
With a manual transmission the vehicle must not be in gear when you start it, and in some vehicles the clutch must be depressed.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 14
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Before you start a vehicle that has an automatic transmission, where must you put the shift selector?
- In "drive"
- In "park"
- In "reverse"
- In "low"
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Correct answer: In "park"
For a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you must put the shift selector in "park" before starting it.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 14
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What can happen if you try to start too fast, particularly on slippery surfaces?
- The engine can overheat and the headlights can dim
- The tires can grip better and the vehicle can stop sooner
- The brakes can lock and the steering wheel can freeze
- The drive wheels can spin and the vehicle can slide
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Correct answer: The drive wheels can spin and the vehicle can slide
Starting too fast can make the drive wheels spin and the vehicle slide, particularly on slippery surfaces, so accelerate gradually and smoothly.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 14
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With a manual-shift vehicle, what should you practice so that the engine does not go too fast or stall when shifting between gears?
- Using the clutch and the accelerator
- Using the parking brake and the horn
- Using the brake and the steering wheel
- Using the mirrors and the turn signal
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Correct answer: Using the clutch and the accelerator
The manual says to practice using the clutch and accelerator so the engine does not go too fast or stall when shifting between gears.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 14
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Imagining the steering wheel as the face of a clock, which is one balanced hand position for steering control?
- 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock
- 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock
- 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock
- 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock
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Correct answer: 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock
The manual gives the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions as one balanced position for steering control.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 14
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Besides 10 and 2 o'clock, which hand positions on the steering wheel do some drivers prefer?
- 8 and 4 o'clock
- 9 and 3 o'clock
- 11 and 1 o'clock
- 12 and 6 o'clock
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Correct answer: 9 and 3 o'clock
The manual says some drivers prefer placing their hands at 9 and 3 o'clock.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 14
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Where should you always keep your knuckles when you hold the steering wheel?
- Inside the rim of the wheel
- Pressed against the spokes
- Resting on top of the wheel
- Outside the rim of the wheel
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Correct answer: Outside the rim of the wheel
The manual says to always keep your knuckles outside the rim of the wheel.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 14
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Where should you look when you steer?
- Only at the road just in front of your vehicle
- Mostly at the vehicles directly behind you
- Well down the road and on both sides of the road
- At the center line just ahead of your hood
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Correct answer: Well down the road and on both sides of the road
The manual says to look well down the road and on both sides, not at the road just in front, so you have time to steer smoothly and safely.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 15
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Which technique should you use to turn the steering wheel when you turn sharp corners?
- One-handed turning from the top of the wheel
- Hand-over-hand
- Letting the wheel slip through your fingers
- Pushing the wheel with the palm of one hand
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Correct answer: Hand-over-hand
The manual says to use the "hand-over-hand" technique when turning sharp corners.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 15
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When you complete a turn, how should you straighten out the steering wheel?
- By letting it slip through your fingers
- By releasing it so it spins back on its own
- By braking gently until it straightens itself
- By hand, not letting it slip through your fingers
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Correct answer: By hand, not letting it slip through your fingers
The manual says to straighten the wheel by hand because letting it slip through your fingers could be dangerous.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 15
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What does looking well down the road help you do when you steer?
- Turn corners without slowing down
- Steer without using both hands
- Steer straighter with less weaving
- Steer without checking the mirrors
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Correct answer: Steer straighter with less weaving
The manual says looking well down the road will help you to steer straighter with less weaving.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 15
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Which of these is a time when it is very important to look for vehicles behind you?
- When you are parked with the engine off
- When you drive down a long or steep hill
- When you drive on an empty, flat, straight road
- When you are reading a guide sign far ahead
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Correct answer: When you drive down a long or steep hill
The manual says it is very important to look for vehicles behind you when you change lanes, slow down, back up or are driving down a long or steep hill.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 16
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When do you need to check traffic behind you more often?
- When traffic is light
- When you are parked
- When the road is dry
- When traffic is heavy
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Correct answer: When traffic is heavy
The manual says you need to check behind you more often when traffic is heavy.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 16
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What is the only way you will know if someone is following too closely or coming up too fast?
- Checking the traffic behind you
- Listening for other drivers' horns
- Watching the brake lights of the vehicle ahead
- Checking your speedometer
Show answer
Correct answer: Checking the traffic behind you
The manual says checking traffic behind you is the only way to know if someone is following too closely or coming up too fast, and it gives you time to do something about it.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 16
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Which of these does the manual say counts as changing lanes?
- Driving through an intersection in your own lane
- Following a curve while staying in your lane
- Merging onto a roadway from an entrance ramp
- Slowing down while staying in your lane
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Correct answer: Merging onto a roadway from an entrance ramp
The manual says changing lanes includes changing from one lane to another, merging onto a roadway from an entrance ramp and entering the roadway from the curb or shoulder.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 16
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Before you change lanes, what must you check?
- That your hazard flashers are on and working properly
- That there are no vehicles in the lane you want to enter
- That the vehicle ahead of you is also changing lanes
- That the lane you want to enter has a lower speed limit
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Correct answer: That there are no vehicles in the lane you want to enter
The manual says that whenever you want to change lanes you must check that there are no vehicles in the lane you want to enter.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 16
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When you look in your mirrors before changing lanes, what else should you make sure of besides no vehicles in the lane?
- That no vehicle is stopped on the shoulder
- That your own lane is clear for at least a block
- That no traffic signal is visible in the next block
- That nobody is about to pass you
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Correct answer: That nobody is about to pass you
The manual says to look in your rear-view and side mirrors and make sure nobody is about to pass you.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 16