New Mexico Permit Test: Safe Driving Practice Questions

Correct answer: The driver, and all passengers in belts or child seats

It is illegal to drive without wearing a safety belt, and you should make sure all passengers use belts or child restraints.

Source: The Driver License – Safety Belts and Child Restraints

Correct answer: Wear both the lap belt and the shoulder belt

Wearing only one part reduces protection; with an automatic shoulder belt, buckle the lap belt too or you could slide out in a crash.

Source: The Driver License – Safety Belts and Child Restraints

Correct answer: 12

All children under 12 must use appropriate safety restraints whenever the vehicle is in motion.

Source: The Driver License – Safety Belts and Child Restraints

Correct answer: Children under 24 months or weighing less than 60 pounds

The manual says children under 24 months, or weighing under 60 pounds, must be in an approved safety device.

Source: The Driver License – Safety Belts and Child Restraints (New Mexico Driver Manual ver. 11.19.19, PDF p. 6)

Correct answer: In the rear seat

Children should be secured in the rear seat; a deploying front airbag can injure a child.

Source: The Driver License – Safety Belts and Child Restraints

Correct answer: 10 and 2 o'clock, or 9 and 3 o'clock

Hold the wheel firmly on both sides at about 10 and 2, or 9 and 3, keeping knuckles outside the rim.

Source: Safe Driving Tips – Basic Driving – Steering

Correct answer: At least 10 seconds ahead

Safer drivers look at least 10 seconds ahead, which is about one block in the city.

Source: Safe Driving Tips – Scanning – Look Ahead

Correct answer: At least one block

Ten seconds in the city is about one block, so look at least a block ahead.

Source: Safe Driving Tips – Scanning – Look Ahead

Correct answer: At least three seconds

Use the three-second rule: you are too close if you reach a fixed point less than three seconds after the vehicle ahead passes it.

Source: Communicating – Sharing Space – Space Ahead

Correct answer: When following a motorcycle

Leave four seconds on slippery roads, behind motorcycles or emergency vehicles, with a heavy load or trailer, near railroad crossings, and when stopped on a hill.

Source: Communicating – Sharing Space – Space Ahead

Correct answer: About twice as far

High beams let you see about twice as far as low beams; use them when there are no oncoming vehicles.

Source: Safe Driving Tips – Use Your Lights

Correct answer: Within about one block of the oncoming car

Switch to low beams when you come within about a block of an oncoming vehicle.

Source: Safe Driving Tips – Use Your Lights

Correct answer: 200 feet

Use low beams within 200 feet when following another vehicle or in heavy traffic.

Source: Safe Driving Tips – Use Your Lights

Correct answer: Low beams, plus fog lights if equipped

High beams reflect back and cause glare in fog, snow or heavy rain; use low beams and fog lights.

Source: Safe Driving Tips – Use Your Lights

Correct answer: Never; they are for parked vehicles only

Never drive with only parking lights on; they are for parked vehicles.

Source: Safe Driving Tips – Use Your Lights