New Mexico Car / Permit: Traffic Laws Practice Test

Question 1

How must a child younger than 24 months, or weighing under 60 pounds, ride in a vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Secured in an approved child safety device — Those children have to travel in an approved safety device. Groups around the state will lend a device to families who cannot afford one.

Answer

Seated in the front with the belt behind the back

Answer

Held on an adult passenger's lap

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Belted with only the lap portion of the belt

Question 2

Up to what age does New Mexico law require children to be in appropriate safety restraints while a vehicle is moving?

Accepted Answer

Under 12 — Every child below the age of 12 has to be properly restrained any time the vehicle is in motion.

Answer

Under 6

Answer

Under 8

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Under 16

Question 3

Where is the safest place in the vehicle to secure a child?

Accepted Answer

In the back seat — Children belong in the back seat. Placing one on the front passenger side is dangerous, especially with an air bag, because a deploying bag can injure the child in a crash.

Answer

On the front passenger side

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In the front center, between two adults

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Anywhere, as long as a belt is fastened

Question 4

What does a white diamond painted on the pavement or posted beside the road indicate?

Accepted Answer

A lane held for particular vehicles — The diamond marks a reserved lane. Accompanying signs say which users it is held for, such as buses, bicycles, or vehicles carrying several people.

Answer

A lane closed for maintenance

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A lane that ends within 500 feet

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A lane where passing is permitted

Question 5

A center lane is bounded on each side by a solid yellow line outside a broken yellow line. What is it for?

Accepted Answer

Left turns by traffic coming from both directions — That shared center lane is set aside for left turns, and for U-turns where they are legal, by drivers approaching from either direction. Pavement arrows for one direction alternate with arrows for the other.

Answer

Emergency vehicles only

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Parking during off-peak hours

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Passing slower vehicles from either direction

Question 6

Signs or markings allow two lanes to turn at the same intersection. What must you do?

Accepted Answer

Hold your lane all the way through the turn — Hold your own lane the whole way around the turn instead of drifting into the other turning lane.

Answer

Complete the turn in whichever lane is open

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Merge into the inside lane while turning

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Yield to the driver in the other turning lane

Question 7

A sign beside the road reads "HOV 3." Who may use that lane?

Accepted Answer

Vehicles with a minimum of three occupants — HOV stands for high occupancy vehicles, and the number states the minimum occupancy, so "HOV 3" opens the lane to vehicles carrying three or more people. Signs also spell out the days and hours the restriction applies.

Answer

Only vehicles with exactly three axles

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Any vehicle after 3:00 p.m.

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Buses and taxis only

Question 8

What restriction on cell phones does the manual say applies in some New Mexico towns?

Accepted Answer

Phone use while driving is banned unless a hands-free device is used — Certain towns forbid using a cell phone at the wheel unless it is hands-free. Even where it is legal, dialing or talking pulls your attention off the road, so pull over to take a call when you can.

Answer

Phones may be used only outside business hours

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Phones may not be carried in the vehicle at all

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Phones may be used only by drivers over 21

Question 9

With no signs or lane markings to guide a turn, how should the turn be made?

Accepted Answer

Start from the lane nearest your intended direction and finish in the lane nearest the one you came from — Begin from whichever lane sits closest to the direction you are heading and end in the lane closest to the one you left, so you cut across as little traffic as possible. Move between lanes cleanly and signal every time.

Answer

Swing wide first, then cut back across the lanes

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Always finish the turn in the far lane

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Turn from the center lane into any open lane

Question 10

What does New Mexico law say about driving while wearing a safety belt?

Accepted Answer

Driving unbelted is against the law — Operating a vehicle in New Mexico without your safety belt fastened breaks the law, and belted occupants are far less likely to be hurt or killed in a crash.

Answer

Belts are required only on interstate highways

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Belts are required only after dark

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Belts are optional for adults over 18

Question 11

A red "X" is displayed on a lane-control signal above a travel lane. What does it mean?

Accepted Answer

You may not use that lane — A red X closes the lane to you. A green arrow overhead opens the lane, a blinking yellow X marks it for turning only, and a steady yellow X warns that its use is switching, so leave it as soon as you safely can.

Answer

The lane is open only to trucks

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The lane is available for passing

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The lane becomes a turn lane at rush hour

Question 12

Which side of the island do you pass on when driving around a traffic circle?

Accepted Answer

On the right side of the island — Traffic travels around the island on its right-hand side. The state may also convert any public road to one-way travel, and when it does, signs must be posted telling drivers which way to go.

Answer

In reverse of the posted arrows during rush hour

Answer

Whichever way is shortest to your exit

Answer

On the left side of the island

New Mexico Car / Permit: Traffic Laws practice test

Study questions with answers

1. How must a child younger than 24 months, or weighing under 60 pounds, ride in a vehicle?

2. Up to what age does New Mexico law require children to be in appropriate safety restraints while a vehicle is moving?

3. Where is the safest place in the vehicle to secure a child?

4. What does a white diamond painted on the pavement or posted beside the road indicate?

5. A center lane is bounded on each side by a solid yellow line outside a broken yellow line. What is it for?

6. Signs or markings allow two lanes to turn at the same intersection. What must you do?

7. A sign beside the road reads "HOV 3." Who may use that lane?

8. What restriction on cell phones does the manual say applies in some New Mexico towns?

9. With no signs or lane markings to guide a turn, how should the turn be made?

10. What does New Mexico law say about driving while wearing a safety belt?

11. A red "X" is displayed on a lane-control signal above a travel lane. What does it mean?

12. Which side of the island do you pass on when driving around a traffic circle?

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