Free New Mexico MVD Practice Permit Test - Practice Test 3 2026
This Practice Test 3 is modeled on the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) written knowledge exam, whose length the agency does not publish; to pass you need 70% correct. These 25 questions rotate through traffic laws, road signs, and right-of-way - the core topics the MVD tests most heavily. Every question includes an explanation, so you learn the rule behind each answer - not just whether you got it right.
Your brake lights are not working. Which hand signal tells drivers behind you that you are slowing or stopping?
What's on the New Mexico Practice Test 3
The MVD does not publish how many questions are on the real New Mexico knowledge test, and to pass you need 70% correct. Practice Test 3 is a 25-question set drawn from 45 questions, scored against a practice target of 70%.
Topics in this test's question pool
- Road signs 16
- Traffic laws 12
- Safe driving 7
- Alcohol & drugs 3
- Emergencies 3
- Vehicle equipment 2
- Right of way 1
- Parking 1
45 questions in the pool, 2 of them written specifically for New Mexico. Each attempt shows 25 in a new order.
Sample questions from this test, with answers
Want to test yourself first? Take the test above before reading these. Every answer below is checked against the source shown.
1. A New Mexico provisional driver may carry no more than:
- A. One non-family passenger under 21 (correct)
- B. Three non-family passengers under 21
- C. Two non-family passengers under 18
- D. No passengers at all
Why: A New Mexico provisional licensee may be accompanied by no more than one passenger under 21 who is not a member of the immediate family.
Source: official New Mexico driver handbook, Provisional License, p. 1
2. Which of the following is NOT a legal reason to use your horn?
- A. To warn a driver drifting into your lane
- B. To express frustration at another driver (correct)
- C. To alert a child about to run into the road
- D. To warn others on a blind mountain curve
Why: Horns are safety devices used to warn others of danger. Using your horn out of frustration or anger is not a legal use and can be considered aggressive driving in many states.
3. Your brake lights are not working. Which hand signal tells drivers behind you that you are slowing or stopping?
- A. Left arm out and bent upward
- B. Left arm held straight out
- C. Right arm waved out the window
- D. Left arm out and bent downward (correct)
Why: An arm extended out and bent down signals slowing or stopping. Arm bent up is a right turn and arm straight out is a left turn.
4. What is the safest action when you are being tailgated?
- A. Tap your brakes hard to warn them off
- B. Speed up well past the limit to pull away from them
- C. Move over or add space ahead and let them pass (correct)
- D. Ignore them and maintain your exact speed
Why: When tailgated, do not brake-check. Move to another lane if possible or increase the gap to the vehicle ahead so you have more room to stop gradually - this gives both you and the tailgater more reaction time.
5. When approaching a stopped vehicle displaying a blue and red flashing light on the roadside, the safest and often legally required action is to:
- A. Keep your speed and stay in your lane
- B. Change lanes away if safe, or else slow down (correct)
- C. Stop in your lane until the vehicle leaves
- D. Speed up to pass the scene as fast as possible
Why: Move Over laws require drivers to change lanes away from stopped emergency and service vehicles when safe. If you cannot move over, slow down well below the speed limit and pass with extreme caution.
6. What is the difference between a black-on-white speed sign and a yellow speed sign below a warning sign?
- A. They mean the same - both are legal limits
- B. White is the legal limit; yellow is advisory (correct)
- C. Yellow is the legal limit; white is advisory
- D. White is for trucks; yellow is for cars
Why: A black-on-white speed sign is the legal speed limit. A yellow speed plate below a warning sign (e.g., on a curve) is an advisory speed - the safe recommended speed for that hazard.
More New Mexico facts, the full requirements table and the printable PDF are on the New Mexico permit practice test page.
New Mexico MVD Test Info
- Questions on real test
- Not published by the MVD
- Passing score
- 70%
- Correct needed
- 70% correct
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Testing agency
- Motor Vehicle Division
More New Mexico Tests
Study Tip
Don't just aim to pass this New Mexico Practice Test 3 once - keep taking it until you score 70% or higher two or three times in a row. Read the explanation after every question, even the ones you get right, to lock in the rule before your MVD exam.