In New Mexico, within how many feet of a railroad crossing may you not park?

50 feet. Do not park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.

With a New Mexico provisional license, during which hours may you not drive (barring exceptions)?

Midnight to 5 a.m.. Provisional licensees may not drive from midnight to 5 a.m. unless an exception applies.

With a New Mexico provisional license and no driver 21 or older aboard, how many non-family passengers under 21 may you carry?

One. You may not have more than one non-family passenger under 21 unless a licensed driver 21 or older is present.

In New Mexico, how many points within 12 months lead to a one-year license suspension?

12 or more. Twelve or more points in 12 months means a one-year suspension.

In New Mexico, if you refuse a BAC test requested by an officer, what can happen?

You can lose your license for one year. Refusing a BAC test can cost you your license for one year.

In New Mexico, how long does a DWI conviction stay on your driving record?

25 years. Any DWI conviction remains on your New Mexico driving record for 25 years.

In New Mexico, what is the maximum speed in a school zone with a posted school zone sign?

15 mph. The manual lists 15 mph within a school zone.

To get a New Mexico instructional permit at 15, you must also:

Be enrolled in an approved driver education course. Applicants 15+ must be enrolled in and attending a Traffic Safety Bureau-approved driver ed course.

In New Mexico, how close to a fire hydrant may you park, at minimum?

15 feet. Do not park within 15 ft of a fire hydrant.

In New Mexico, at least how far ahead must you signal before turning?

100 feet. Signal at least 100 ft before turning.

State guides · New Mexico

New Mexico DMV written test guide

Everything you need to know about the written test in New Mexico, with the rules your state asks about and practice questions with answers.

Agency	New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD)
Official handbook	New Mexico Driver Manual ↗
Questions	Not published
To pass	70% correct
Test in Spanish?	Yes

🗣️ 8 languages, including Spanish. NM MVD

MVD requires 70% to pass class D/M written tests but does not publish the question count; third-party sites say 25 questions (18 to pass), not confirmed officially

New Mexico rules you need to know

Alcohol, 21 and over: New Mexico's limit for drivers 21 and older is 0.08%. Official source ↗
Alcohol, under 21: Under 21, you can be arrested at 0.02% BAC. Official source ↗
Following distance: New Mexico teaches the three-second rule, four seconds in harder conditions. Official source ↗
High beams: Dim high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming car, about a block, and within 200 feet when following. Official source ↗
Turn signal: Signal at least 100 ft before turning. Official source ↗
Fire hydrant: Do not park within 15 ft of a fire hydrant. Official source ↗
Crosswalk: State law bans parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, and the manual says 25. Leave 25 feet and you meet both. Official source ↗
School bus: You need not stop for an oncoming school bus if a median or physical barrier separates the road. Official source ↗
Right on red: Right on red is allowed after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it. Official source ↗
Left on red: Left on red is allowed from a one-way street into another one-way street unless prohibited. Official source ↗
Cell phone: New Mexico bans texting while driving for everyone; some cities also require hands-free calls. Official source ↗
Move Over law: For a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights, change to a non-adjacent lane if safe and slow down. Official source ↗
Permit age: You can get an instructional permit at 15 if enrolled in driver education. Official source ↗

New Mexico test FAQ

How many questions are on the New Mexico written test?

New Mexico doesn't publish the number of questions; you need 70% correct to pass.

Can I take the New Mexico driver's test in Spanish?

Yes. New Mexico offers the written test in Spanish.

How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in New Mexico?

You can get an instructional permit at 15 if enrolled in driver education.

What documents do I need for a permit in New Mexico?

It depends on your situation (identity, residency and Social Security number or an alternative). Check the official list from New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) before you go.

Documents guide → · How to pass on the first try →

10 New Mexico practice questions

1. In New Mexico, within how many feet of a railroad crossing may you not park?
1. 50 feet
2. 15 feet
3. 25 feet
4. 20 feet
Show answer
Answer: 50 feet
Do not park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.
Official source ↗
2. With a New Mexico provisional license, during which hours may you not drive (barring exceptions)?
1. Midnight to 5 a.m.
2. 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
3. 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
4. 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Show answer
Answer: Midnight to 5 a.m.
Provisional licensees may not drive from midnight to 5 a.m. unless an exception applies.
Official source ↗
3. With a New Mexico provisional license and no driver 21 or older aboard, how many non-family passengers under 21 may you carry?
1. Two
2. Three
3. One
4. None
Show answer
Answer: One
You may not have more than one non-family passenger under 21 unless a licensed driver 21 or older is present.
Official source ↗
4. In New Mexico, how many points within 12 months lead to a one-year license suspension?
1. 8 or more
2. 10 or more
3. 15 or more
4. 12 or more
Show answer
Answer: 12 or more
Twelve or more points in 12 months means a one-year suspension.
Official source ↗
5. In New Mexico, if you refuse a BAC test requested by an officer, what can happen?
1. Nothing if you weren't drinking
2. A 30-day suspension
3. Only a $25 fine
4. You can lose your license for one year
Show answer
Answer: You can lose your license for one year
Refusing a BAC test can cost you your license for one year.
Official source ↗
6. In New Mexico, how long does a DWI conviction stay on your driving record?
1. 25 years
2. 5 years
3. 3 years
4. 10 years
Show answer
Answer: 25 years
Any DWI conviction remains on your New Mexico driving record for 25 years.
Official source ↗
7. In New Mexico, what is the maximum speed in a school zone with a posted school zone sign?
1. 20 mph
2. 30 mph
3. 15 mph
4. 25 mph
Show answer
Answer: 15 mph
The manual lists 15 mph within a school zone.
Official source ↗
8. To get a New Mexico instructional permit at 15, you must also:
1. Have a job
2. Own a car
3. Nothing else
4. Be enrolled in an approved driver education course
Show answer
Answer: Be enrolled in an approved driver education course
Applicants 15+ must be enrolled in and attending a Traffic Safety Bureau-approved driver ed course.
Official source ↗
9. In New Mexico, how close to a fire hydrant may you park, at minimum?
1. 15 feet
2. 10 feet
3. 25 feet
4. 5 feet
Show answer
Answer: 15 feet
Do not park within 15 ft of a fire hydrant.
Official source ↗
10. In New Mexico, at least how far ahead must you signal before turning?
1. 100 feet
2. 200 feet
3. 50 feet
4. 25 feet
Show answer
Answer: 100 feet
Signal at least 100 ft before turning.
Official source ↗

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Facts checked against the official state handbook and website in October 2026. Rules change: always check the official handbook.