A center lane has a solid yellow line and a broken yellow line on each side, plus two-way turn arrows. Who may use it?

Drivers from either direction about to turn left

Drivers who need to pass a slow vehicle ahead

Drivers waiting to merge into the right lane

Only buses and cars carrying two or more people

Traffic is backed up just past a railroad crossing. When should you start across the tracks?

Only when there is room to get fully past the tracks

Right away, since no train is in sight now

When the car ahead of you has started to cross

Whenever the crossing lights are not flashing

Free New Mexico MVD Practice Permit Test - Practice Test 1 2026

25 questions70% to passExplanations includedFree

—Real test questions

70%Pass score

This Practice Test 1 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.

Question 1 of 25

How much of a traffic lane is a motorcycle entitled to?

Tip: Press 1-4 to select, Enter to submit, F to flag

Inside this test

What's on the New Mexico Practice Test 1

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 1 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 20
Traffic laws 11
Safe driving 4
Alcohol & drugs 3
Right of way 3
Parking 2
Speed limits 1
Emergencies 1

45 questions in the pool, 3 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. In New Mexico, a driver of a commercial vehicle is over the alcohol limit at a BAC of:
- A. 0.04 (correct)
- B. 0.08
- C. 0.02
- D. 0.10
Why: New Mexico sets the commercial-vehicle alcohol limit at 0.04 - half the 0.08 limit for ordinary drivers.
Source: NMSA 1978 § 66-8-102(C)(2), current-law text as printed in 2022 HB 54
2. In New Mexico, it is illegal for a driver under 21 to drive with a BAC of:
- A. 0.02 or more (correct)
- B. 0.05 or more
- C. 0.08 or more
- D. 0.10 or more
Why: New Mexico's limit is 0.08 for adults, but 0.02 for drivers under 21 (and 0.04 for commercial drivers).
Source: official New Mexico driver handbook, Alcohol and The Law, p. 29
3. What is the safest way to check your blind spot before changing lanes?
- A. Check your rearview mirror, then signal and go
- B. Check both side mirrors only
- C. Glance over your shoulder toward the new lane (correct)
- D. Trust your car's blind-spot warning light
Why: Mirrors have blind spots. Always glance over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move before changing lanes, in addition to checking your mirrors.
Source: official New Mexico driver handbook
4. In many areas a curb is painted yellow. What should you understand from this?
- A. You may park there for as long as you like
- B. Stopping or parking is restricted there (correct)
- C. It is reserved for motorcycles
- D. It shows a spot reserved for disabled drivers
Why: Curb colors are not uniform across states. In California and Nevada yellow means a loading zone; in Florida, Tennessee and several other states a yellow curb means no parking. In every case it signals a restriction, so read nearby signs and follow state and local rules.
Source: official New Mexico driver handbook
5. Traffic is backed up just past a railroad crossing. When should you start across the tracks?
- A. Right away, since no train is in sight now
- B. When the car ahead of you has started to cross
- C. Only when there is room to get fully past the tracks (correct)
- D. Whenever the crossing lights are not flashing
Why: Never stop on railroad tracks. Wait behind the crossing until there is enough space on the other side for your whole vehicle.
Source: official New Mexico driver handbook
6. What must you do when you see this sign?
- A. Slow down and go if no one is coming
- B. Stop fully, then go when it is safe (correct)
- C. Stop only if cross traffic is coming
- D. Stop, then go ahead of cross traffic
Why: This is a STOP sign (red octagon). You must come to a complete stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or before the intersection, then proceed only when it is safe.
Source: Federal MUTCD 11th ed. (Dec 2023) 2B.04; Table 2A-1 (Octagon* = Stop)

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

Official NM MVD Website ↗

More New Mexico Tests

Study Tip

Don't just aim to pass this New Mexico Practice Test 1 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.