New Mexico permit test: speed limits, stopping and space ahead
Maximum and minimum speed limits, speeding, stopping and keeping space ahead. 16 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key speed limits, stopping and space ahead rulesShow the rules
- The maximum speed in a posted school zone is 15 mph. (p. 15)
- Unless posted otherwise, the maximum speed in business or residential areas is 30 mph. (p. 15)
- Rural interstate highways have a 75 mph maximum unless posted otherwise. (p. 15)
- Safer drivers look at least 10 seconds ahead, which in the city is about one block. (p. 18)
- At a hill or curve you cannot see past, adjust your speed so you can stop if a stalled vehicle is just beyond. (p. 26)
- Headlights show about 400 feet ahead, so drive at a speed that lets you stop within that distance, about 50 mph. (p. 26)
- When you cannot see farther than about 200 feet in rain, fog or snow, you cannot safely drive faster than 30 mph. (p. 26)
- With the four-second sight distance rule, reaching the object before you finish counting means you are driving too fast for how far you can see. (p. 26)
- If you cannot see well enough to drive in a heavy downpour, pull off the road in a safe place and wait until it clears. (p. 26)
- The three-second rule tells you whether you are following too closely, and it works at any speed. (p. 26)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample speed limits, stopping and space ahead questions
1.Unless posted otherwise, what is the maximum speed on public highways?
- A65 mph
- B55 mph
- C45 mph
- D75 mph
Show the answer
✓ B. 55 mph
The default maximum on public highways is 55 mph unless posted otherwise.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (No edition date printed in the document), page 15
2.At night, your headlights let you see about 400 feet ahead. What speed lets you stop within that distance?
- AAbout 50 mph
- BAbout 40 mph
- CAbout 30 mph
- DAbout 65 mph
Show the answer
✓ A. About 50 mph
Headlights show about 400 feet ahead, so drive at a speed that lets you stop within that distance, about 50 mph.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (No edition date printed in the document), page 26
3.You approach a hill you cannot see over. What should you do?
- AMove to the left lane
- BUse high beams to see over it
- CKeep your speed to climb it
- DAdjust your speed so you can stop
Show the answer
✓ D. Adjust your speed so you can stop
At a hill or curve you cannot see past, adjust your speed so you can stop if a stalled vehicle is just beyond.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (No edition date printed in the document), page 26
4.A downpour is so heavy you cannot see well enough to drive. What should you do?
- AFollow the taillights ahead closely
- BPull off safely and wait it out
- CSpeed up to get through it
- DTurn on high beams and continue
Show the answer
✓ B. Pull off safely and wait it out
If you cannot see well enough to drive in a heavy downpour, pull off the road in a safe place and wait until it clears.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (No edition date printed in the document), page 26