New Mexico permit test: road signs
Sign shapes and colors, warning, regulatory, railroad, lane-use and guide signs. 26 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key road signs rulesShow the rules
- Never start across unless there is room for your vehicle on the far side, so you will not have to stop on the tracks. (p. 8)
- School buses, vehicles for hire carrying passengers, and trucks hauling explosives or gasoline must stop at least 15 feet from a crossing. (p. 9)
- When the alternating lights at a crossing are flashing, you must stop. (p. 9)
- A school bus driver must stop and open the doors of the bus before crossing. (p. 9)
- Not all crossings with several tracks post a sign, so always check for more than one track before crossing. (p. 9)
- Never drive around a lowered crossing gate; it lowers because a train is coming. (p. 9)
- A square sign with a white bar inside a red ball means you cannot enter. (p. 10)
- A reflective orange triangle on a vehicle's rear means it is traveling less than 25 mph, such as farm or construction equipment. (p. 10)
- A yield sign is a downward pointing triangle, red and white with red letters. (p. 10)
- A stop sign has eight sides and is red with white letters. (p. 10)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample road signs questions
1.It is raining on a road posted at 55 mph. How fast should you drive?
- AAt the posted limit, to keep up
- BSlower than the posted limit
- CFaster, to get out of the rain
- DAt least 10 mph over the limit
Show the answer
✓ B. Slower than the posted limit
The maximum limit should be driven only in ideal conditions; drive slower when the road is slippery, in rain, snow, ice or fog.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (No edition date printed in the document), page 9
2.What shape is a yield sign?
- AA downward pointing triangle
- BA circle
- CAn upward pointing triangle
- DAn eight-sided shape
Show the answer
✓ A. A downward pointing triangle
A yield sign is a downward pointing triangle, red and white with red letters.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (No edition date printed in the document), page 10
3.Where are you likely to see a sign telling you not to enter?
- AAt the start of a school zone
- BBefore every railroad crossing
- CAt exit ramps you would use the wrong way
- DAt entrances to parking lots
Show the answer
✓ C. At exit ramps you would use the wrong way
This sign is posted at openings you should not enter, such as exit ramps where you would be going the wrong way, crossovers on divided roads, and one-way streets.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (No edition date printed in the document), page 10
4.The crossing gate is down, but you see no train coming. What should you do?
- ABack up and cross elsewhere at once
- BWait; do not drive around it
- CHonk and cross slowly
- DDrive around the gate carefully
Show the answer
✓ B. Wait; do not drive around it
Never drive around a lowered crossing gate; it lowers because a train is coming.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (No edition date printed in the document), page 9