Steerlet/New Mexico/Permit practice

New Mexico permit practice: 20 free questions

Choose an answer, then check the explanation and its handbook source. These are Steerlet practice questions, not the official test or its exact format.

Written from New Mexico Driver Manual. Independently checked October 27, 2026.

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Question 1 of 20

You are practicing in a car with an instructional permit. Besides being at least 21, how much licensing experience must your supervising driver have?

AThree years or more.BSix months.COne year.

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Correct answer: A. Three years or more.

The supervising adult must be 21 or older and have held a license for at least three years.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — Instructional permit, PDF page 4. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 2 of 20

The light turns yellow while you are already in the intersection. What should you do?

AStop in the middle until green returns.BFinish crossing safely.CReverse behind the stop line.

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Correct answer: B. Finish crossing safely.

Once inside the intersection, continue through rather than stopping in the crossing paths.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — Traffic signals, PDF page 7. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 3 of 20

What must you do when a red traffic signal is flashing?

ADrive through at a lower speed without stopping.BWait for the red light to stop flashing.CStop completely, then enter when clear.

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Correct answer: C. Stop completely, then enter when clear.

Flashing red uses the same stopping procedure as a stop sign.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — Traffic signals, PDF page 7. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 4 of 20

A red arrow points toward your intended turn. What must happen before you move that way?

AThe red arrow ends and a green arrow or light permits movement.BA vehicle behind you honks.CYou stop for three seconds.

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Correct answer: A. The red arrow ends and a green arrow or light permits movement.

Stopping alone does not authorize movement against a red arrow. Wait for a permitting green signal.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — Traffic signals, PDF page 7. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 5 of 20

You want to cross a dashed white lane line. When may you do so?

AOnly when passing an emergency vehicle.BWhen the lane change can be completed safely.CWhenever you signal, regardless of nearby traffic.

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Correct answer: B. When the lane change can be completed safely.

A dashed white line allows lane changes after checking that the move is safe.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — Pavement markings, PDF page 11. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 6 of 20

What does a steady yellow X over your travel lane tell you to do?

AKeep driving there until you reach your exit.BUse that lane only for passing.CLeave the lane safely because its use is changing.

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Correct answer: C. Leave the lane safely because its use is changing.

The yellow X warns of a lane-use change. Move into a permitted lane when safe.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — Reversible lanes, PDF page 12. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 7 of 20

You pass the street where you meant to turn. What is the proper response?

AContinue to a safe place to change direction.BBack up in the travel lane.CStop immediately beside moving traffic.

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Correct answer: A. Continue to a safe place to change direction.

Continue forward after a missed turn. Reversing in a travel lane is unsafe.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — General driving, PDF page 13. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 8 of 20

On a multilane road, may you use the shoulder to overtake a vehicle?

AYes, if the shoulder is paved.BNo; the shoulder cannot be used for passing.CYes, while your hazard lights are on.

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Correct answer: B. No; the shoulder cannot be used for passing.

Drivers may pull onto a shoulder without expecting passing traffic there. Use a proper travel lane.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — Passing, PDF page 13. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 9 of 20

Two marked lanes allow the same turn. How should you drive through the turn?

AMove to the other turning lane halfway through.BChoose whichever lane is empty after entering.CMaintain your lane throughout the turn.

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Correct answer: C. Maintain your lane throughout the turn.

Parallel turning traffic relies on each driver keeping the assigned lane.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — Multiple lanes turning, PDF page 14. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 10 of 20

You are turning left across an approaching vehicle that is going straight. Who must yield?

AYou must wait for the approaching vehicle.BThe approaching driver must wait for you.CThe driver with the newer vehicle.

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Correct answer: A. You must wait for the approaching vehicle.

An unprotected left turn must yield to opposing vehicles continuing straight.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — Right-of-way, PDF page 14. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 11 of 20

You are about to enter a traffic circle. Who has priority?

AVehicles waiting to enter from your left.BVehicles already circulating.CThe largest vehicle waiting at any entrance.

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Correct answer: B. Vehicles already circulating.

Let traffic in the circle pass before you enter.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — Right-of-way, PDF page 14. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 12 of 20

You cross a sidewalk to enter a driveway. What must you do?

AExpect people walking to wait for your car.BHonk and continue at the same speed.CYield to people using the sidewalk.

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Correct answer: C. Yield to people using the sidewalk.

A driveway crossing does not remove pedestrians’ priority on the sidewalk.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — Right-of-way, PDF page 14. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 13 of 20

An oncoming school bus stops with red lights flashing on an undivided road. What should you do?

AStop and wait for the lights to end and children to clear.BKeep going because the bus is across the center line.CPass the bus slowly with your horn sounding.

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Correct answer: A. Stop and wait for the lights to end and children to clear.

On an undivided roadway, traffic in both directions must stop. Check for children before moving again.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — Right-of-way — School bus, PDF page 15. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 14 of 20

An emergency vehicle using a siren approaches while you are crossing an intersection. What should you do?

AStop at once in the intersection.BClear the intersection, then pull to the right.CTurn left across its path.

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Correct answer: B. Clear the intersection, then pull to the right.

First clear the crossing paths, then make room at the right edge for the emergency vehicle.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — Right-of-way — Emergency vehicles, PDF page 15. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 15 of 20

What is the minimum distance to leave from a fire hydrant when parking?

A5 feet.B10 feet.C15 feet.

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Correct answer: C. 15 feet.

The fifteen-foot area around a hydrant must remain available for emergency access.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — No-parking zones, PDF page 16. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 16 of 20

What is the maximum permitted curb distance for parking?

A18 inches.B24 inches.C30 inches.

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Correct answer: A. 18 inches.

Park no farther than eighteen inches from the curb.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — No-parking zones, PDF page 16. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 17 of 20

What should you do before opening a door on the street side of your parked car?

AOpen it quickly to make traffic slow down.BCheck for approaching traffic.CLeave it open while you gather your belongings.

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Correct answer: B. Check for approaching traffic.

Traffic may be passing close to the door. Check first and use the curb side when possible.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — Parking, PDF page 16. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 18 of 20

Under normal conditions, what is the maximum speed in a business or residential area without a different posted limit?

A20 mph.B25 mph.C30 mph.

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Correct answer: C. 30 mph.

The default maximum there is 30 mph. Signs or poor conditions can require a different speed.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — Speed limits, PDF page 15. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 19 of 20

A queue beyond railroad tracks leaves too little room for your car. What must you do?

AWait before the tracks until your whole vehicle can clear.BFollow the queue onto the tracks.CStop on the tracks with your hazard lights on.

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Correct answer: A. Wait before the tracks until your whole vehicle can clear.

Do not enter a crossing if traffic could trap your car on the rails.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — Railroad crossing warning signs, PDF page 8. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 20 of 20

Why should you avoid a sudden burst of acceleration on slippery pavement?

AIt makes the parking brake set automatically.BIt can spin the drive wheels and cause a slide.CIt prevents the brakes from working later.

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Correct answer: B. It can spin the drive wheels and cause a slide.

Gradual power helps the tires retain their grip instead of spinning.

Source: New Mexico Driver Manual — Basic driving — Accelerating, PDF page 17. Checked October 27, 2026.

Your practice score

This score describes these 20 practice questions. It does not predict a result on the official test.

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