New Mexico CDL — General Knowledge: Penalties & Licensing Practice Test

Question 1

On New Mexico's list of CDL restrictions, what does restriction C mean?

Accepted Answer

The driver may operate only vehicles fitted with mechanical aids such as hand controls or special brakes — Restriction C is 'Mechanical Aids.' Corrective lenses are restriction B, and prosthetic aids are restriction D.

Answer

The driver must wear corrective lenses while driving

Answer

The driver may operate commercial vehicles in intrastate commerce only

Answer

The driver must drive with prosthetic aids, not counting corrective lenses

Question 2

A motor carrier allows its drivers to use hand-held mobile phones while driving. What civil penalty can the employer face?

Accepted Answer

Up to $11,000 — Carriers must not allow or require hand-held phone use while driving, and employers may face civil penalties of as much as $11,000. The $2,750 figure is the driver's own maximum.

Answer

Up to $2,750

Answer

Up to $5,000

Answer

Up to $25,000

Question 3

A New Mexico driver who already holds a CDL is disqualified for cheating on a knowledge test. Which license will that driver be required to get?

Accepted Answer

A Class D license — The licensing information says a disqualified person who was holding a CDL has to obtain a Class D license.

Answer

A Class C license with an intrastate-only restriction

Answer

A temporary CDL valid for daytime driving

Answer

None; the driver may not hold any license for the year

Question 4

What does New Mexico require to pass a part of the CDL knowledge or skills test, and how are the parts graded?

Accepted Answer

80% or higher, with each part graded independently — A passing score in New Mexico is 80% or better, and every part of the knowledge and skills tests is graded on its own.

Answer

70% or higher, averaged across all parts

Answer

80% or higher, averaged across all parts

Answer

90% or higher, with each part graded independently

Question 5

Within three years, a driver is convicted of reckless driving and later of following too closely, both while operating a CMV. What is the minimum loss of the CDL?

Accepted Answer

60 days — Reckless driving and following too closely are both serious traffic violations. Two of them in a CMV inside three years cost the CDL for at least 60 days; three or more cost at least 120 days.

Answer

30 days

Answer

120 days

Answer

One year

Question 6

Which of these is NOT among the first offenses that cost a driver the CDL for at least one year?

Accepted Answer

Making an improper or erratic lane change in a CMV — Improper or erratic lane changes are a serious traffic violation, which leads to disqualification only after two within three years. The other three are on the one-year list.

Answer

Leaving the scene after a CMV accident

Answer

Driving a CMV while the CDL is suspended

Answer

Negligently operating a CMV and causing a death

Question 7

How many times may a New Mexico CDL applicant take the skills test within a one-year period?

Accepted Answer

Three times — The MVD's licensing information allows three skills test attempts in a one-year period; a third failure brings a one-year wait.

Answer

Two times

Answer

Five times

Answer

As often as an examiner has openings

Question 8

A New Mexico applicant fails the CDL general knowledge test on Monday and again on Wednesday. What does the MVD's rule say about a third attempt that Friday?

Accepted Answer

It has to wait, because the knowledge tests may be taken no more than twice in a 7-day period — New Mexico's CDL licensing information caps the knowledge tests at two attempts in any 7-day period, so a third try in the same week is not available.

Answer

It is allowed, provided a different version of the test is used

Answer

It is allowed after a 24-hour wait and a new application fee

Answer

It has to wait, because a failed test may be retaken only once every 30 days

Question 9

New Mexico's list of CDL restrictions notes how some of them can be removed. Which pairing is correct?

Accepted Answer

O (not tractor-trailer): take a tractor-trailer through the full skills test and pass — The MVD list says O comes off once the full skills test is passed in a tractor-trailer. Removing L takes the air brake knowledge test plus a full skills test, and removing E takes a full skills test.

Answer

L (no air brakes): pass the air brake knowledge test alone

Answer

E (automatic transmissions): retake the general knowledge test

Answer

Z (no full air brakes): drive one year without a violation

Question 10

You are applying for a job driving commercial vehicles. How far back must the driving-job information you give the employer go?

Accepted Answer

10 years — The manual's CDL rules require you to tell an employer about every driving job you have had over the past 10 years.

Answer

3 years

Answer

5 years

Answer

7 years

Question 11

Who gives New Mexico's CDL skills test, with its pre-trip, basic control and road portions?

Accepted Answer

A third-party examiner — New Mexico's skills tests are given by a third-party examiner, which is also why the testing fees are not paid to the state.

Answer

An MVD field office clerk

Answer

A state police commercial vehicle inspector

Answer

A federal motor carrier auditor

Question 12

To whom does a New Mexico applicant pay the fees for CDL skills testing?

Accepted Answer

The third-party examiner or tester, not the State of New Mexico — Skills testing fees are owed to the outside examiner or tester who gives the test, never to the state.

Answer

The Motor Vehicle Division, when the permit is issued

Answer

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Answer

The county clerk in the applicant's county of residence

New Mexico CDL — General Knowledge: Penalties & Licensing practice test

Study questions with answers

1. On New Mexico's list of CDL restrictions, what does restriction C mean?

2. A motor carrier allows its drivers to use hand-held mobile phones while driving. What civil penalty can the employer face?

3. A New Mexico driver who already holds a CDL is disqualified for cheating on a knowledge test. Which license will that driver be required to get?

4. What does New Mexico require to pass a part of the CDL knowledge or skills test, and how are the parts graded?

5. Within three years, a driver is convicted of reckless driving and later of following too closely, both while operating a CMV. What is the minimum loss of the CDL?

6. Which of these is NOT among the first offenses that cost a driver the CDL for at least one year?

7. How many times may a New Mexico CDL applicant take the skills test within a one-year period?

8. A New Mexico applicant fails the CDL general knowledge test on Monday and again on Wednesday. What does the MVD's rule say about a third attempt that Friday?

9. New Mexico's list of CDL restrictions notes how some of them can be removed. Which pairing is correct?

10. You are applying for a job driving commercial vehicles. How far back must the driving-job information you give the employer go?

11. Who gives New Mexico's CDL skills test, with its pre-trip, basic control and road portions?

12. To whom does a New Mexico applicant pay the fees for CDL skills testing?

More CDL — General Knowledge topics

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