PermitPal
New Mexico Permit Practice Test 2
20 new questions · no repeats from Test 1 · Updated July 12, 2026
A fresh 20 — no overlap with Test 1 — weighted toward the rules-of-the-road and safety questions people miss most. The real New Mexico exam is 25 questions at 70% to pass — that 70% bar is tied with 2 other states for the lowest passing standard in the country.
Answer each question to see the explanation. Your score is tallied against the real passing bar at the end.
1. At night, you should avoid wearing dark glasses or tinted contact lenses because they:
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Correct answer: Cut down the light you need to see clearly
Avoid using dark glasses or tinted contact lenses at night, even if you think they help with glare. The problem is that they cut down the light you need to see clearly.
2. In a car, where must the supervising licensed driver sit while you drive on an instructional permit?
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Correct answer: In the right front seat, beside the driver
In all vehicles except motorcycles, the supervising licensed driver must occupy the right front seat, beside the driver, so they can help if needed.
3. When you park a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you should place the shift selector in:
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Correct answer: "Park"
For a vehicle with an automatic transmission, put the shift selector in "park" and set the parking brake. A manual-transmission vehicle should be left in gear.
4. If a tire suddenly blows out while you are driving, you should:
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Correct answer: Hold the steering wheel tightly and keep the vehicle going straight
If a tire suddenly goes flat, hold the steering wheel tightly and keep the vehicle going straight. Slow down gradually by taking your foot off the gas and using the brakes lightly.
5. At a four-way stop, if two vehicles arrive at the same time, who goes first?
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Correct answer: The vehicle on the right
If more than one vehicle arrives at a four-way stop at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first.
6. Safer drivers look how far ahead of their vehicle?
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Correct answer: At least 10 seconds ahead
Safer drivers look at least 10 seconds ahead of their vehicle. In city traffic, 10 seconds is about one block, so try to look at least one block ahead.
7. A bicyclist riding in the center of the traffic lane is:
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Correct answer: Legally allowed to take the whole lane when necessary
Although bicycles usually stay to the right, they are legally allowed to take the whole lane by riding in the center when necessary — for example, to prepare for a left turn, avoid being squeezed on a narrow street, or avoid hazards.
8. A steady yellow traffic light means:
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Correct answer: The light is about to change to red — stop if it is safe to do so
A steady yellow light means the signal is about to turn red. Stop if it is safe to do so. If you are already in the intersection when it appears, continue through — do not stop.
9. Unless otherwise posted, what is the maximum speed limit on public highways?
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Correct answer: 55 mph
Unless posted otherwise, the maximum speed on public highways is 55 mph.
10. When making a left turn, you should:
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Correct answer: Avoid cutting the corner so sharply that you hit someone approaching from the left
When making a left turn, avoid cutting the corner so sharply that you run into someone approaching from the left, but leave room for oncoming vehicles turning left in front of you.
11. If you become sleepy while driving, the safest thing to do is:
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Correct answer: Stop and sleep for a few hours
Never drive if you are sleepy. It is better to stop and sleep for a few hours than to take a chance thinking you can stay awake — you could fall asleep behind the wheel and crash.
12. How long must you hold an instructional permit before you can move up to a provisional license?
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Correct answer: At least six months
You must retain the instructional permit for at least six months before you become eligible for a provisional license.
13. When you park a vehicle with a manual transmission, you should:
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Correct answer: Leave the vehicle in gear and set the parking brake
Leave a manual-transmission vehicle in gear when you park, and always set the parking brake. Only automatic-transmission vehicles have a "park" position.
14. After a tire blowout, once you have slowed down you should:
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Correct answer: Pull off the road in a safe place rather than stop in the road
Do not stop on the road after a blowout if at all possible. Slow down gradually and pull off the road in a safe place.
15. When you are turning left, you must yield to:
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Correct answer: Oncoming vehicles going straight ahead
Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming vehicles going straight ahead. Oncoming traffic has the right-of-way.
16. If your view of a cross street is blocked when you are stopped, you should:
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Correct answer: Edge forward slowly until you can see
If your view of a cross street is blocked, edge forward slowly until you can see. Moving slowly also lets crossing drivers see the front of your vehicle and warn you if needed.
17. After passing a bicyclist on your right, you want to make a right turn. You should:
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Correct answer: Slow down and merge behind the bicyclist before turning
Do not make a sudden right turn after passing a bicyclist on your right. Instead, slow down and merge behind the bicyclist before turning, so you do not cut across their path.
18. A flashing red traffic light means:
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Correct answer: The same as a stop sign — stop, then proceed when safe
A flashing red light means the same as a stop sign. You must come to a full stop and then proceed when it is safe to do so.
19. Unless otherwise posted, what is the maximum speed limit on rural interstate highways?
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Correct answer: 75 mph
Unless posted otherwise, the maximum speed on rural interstate highways is 75 mph.
20. When making a turn, you should move from one lane to the other:
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Correct answer: As directly as possible, without crossing lane lines or interfering with traffic
When making turns, go from one lane to the other as directly as possible without crossing lane lines or interfering with traffic. Once your turn is complete, you can change lanes if needed.
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