New Mexico Lane Use, Turns, and Passing Practice Questions

Lane Use, Turns, and Passing questions

1. 1. What is the correct order of actions before changing lanes?

   1. A. Check mirrors, signal, check the blind spot, then move
   2. B. Move off first, and then signal to explain the move
   3. C. Signal and move together without any checks

   Answer: A — Check mirrors, signal, check the blind spot, then move

   Mirrors do not cover the blind spot, so a shoulder check must come between signalling and moving.

2. 2. Why is a mirror check alone insufficient before a lane change?

   1. A. Mirrors distort distance beyond about 50 feet
   2. B. Mirrors cannot be adjusted properly by a driver
   3. C. Mirrors leave a blind spot beside and behind the vehicle

   Answer: C — Mirrors leave a blind spot beside and behind the vehicle

   A vehicle can sit entirely inside the blind spot, which is why a head check is required.

3. 3. How many lanes should you cross at one time when changing lanes on a multi-lane road?

   1. A. Two, if traffic is light
   2. B. One lane at a time
   3. C. As many as needed in one movement

   Answer: B — One lane at a time

   Crossing one lane at a time gives you a fresh check of each new lane and keeps your movement predictable.

4. 4. When should you cancel your turn signal after a lane change?

   1. A. As soon as the change is complete, if it does not cancel itself
   2. B. After you have travelled about a mile further along the road
   3. C. Only when you are preparing to make another turn

   Answer: A — As soon as the change is complete, if it does not cancel itself

   A signal left flashing tells other drivers you intend to move again, which is misleading.

5. 5. Which lane should slower traffic use on a multi-lane highway?

   1. A. The left lane
   2. B. The centre lane only
   3. C. The right lane

   Answer: C — The right lane

   Slower traffic keeps right so that faster traffic can pass on the left instead of weaving.

6. 6. What is the purpose of a centre lane marked with a solid yellow line outside a broken yellow line on both sides?

   1. A. It is reserved for emergency vehicles
   2. B. It is a shared two-way left-turn lane
   3. C. It is a passing lane for both directions

   Answer: B — It is a shared two-way left-turn lane

   A two-way left-turn lane is used only to prepare for and make a left turn, from either direction.

7. 7. What does an HOV or carpool lane restriction require?

   1. A. A minimum number of occupants in the vehicle during posted hours
   2. B. A valid permit clearly displayed on the vehicle's windscreen
   3. C. A vehicle that is under a certain gross weight

   Answer: A — A minimum number of occupants in the vehicle during posted hours

   High-occupancy vehicle lanes are restricted by the number of people in the vehicle, with posted fines for violations.

8. 8. What should you do if another driver is tailgating you?

   1. A. Brake sharply in order to warn the other driver off your tail
   2. B. Speed up so as to open a gap behind you
   3. C. Increase your following distance ahead and let them pass when safe

   Answer: C — Increase your following distance ahead and let them pass when safe

   More space ahead gives you room to brake gently, which protects you from the driver behind.

9. 9. When driving on a road with three lanes in your direction, which lane generally offers the smoothest travel?

   1. A. The left lane, at all times and in all traffic
   2. B. The centre lane, away from entering and exiting traffic
   3. C. The right lane, which is closest to the exits

   Answer: B — The centre lane, away from entering and exiting traffic

   The centre lane avoids most merging conflicts while leaving the left lane free for passing.

10. 10. Where must you begin a left turn from a two-way street?

    1. A. The lane nearest the centre line
    2. B. The right-hand lane of the street
    3. C. The paved shoulder

    Answer: A — The lane nearest the centre line

    Left turns begin from the lane closest to the centre line so the path does not cut across other traffic.

11. 11. When turning right, why should you keep close to the right edge of the roadway?

    1. A. It shortens the overall distance that you have to travel
    2. B. It is required only of larger vehicles
    3. C. It prevents a cyclist or vehicle from moving up on your right

    Answer: C — It prevents a cyclist or vehicle from moving up on your right

    A wide right turn opens a gap on the inside that another road user may enter.

12. 12. You are turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street. From which lane should you turn left?

    1. A. The centre lane of the street
    2. B. The far-left lane, into the far-left lane of the new street
    3. C. The far-right lane of the street you are turning from

    Answer: B — The far-left lane, into the far-left lane of the new street

    On one-way streets a left turn is made from the leftmost lane into the leftmost lane.

13. 13. What should you do if you begin a turn and realise a pedestrian has entered the crosswalk?

    1. A. Stop and let the pedestrian finish crossing
    2. B. Complete the turn quickly behind them
    3. C. Sound your horn to hurry them

    Answer: A — Stop and let the pedestrian finish crossing

    A pedestrian lawfully in the crosswalk retains the right of way throughout the crossing.

14. 14. Why should a driver avoid turning from the wrong lane?

    1. A. It is only a minor technical violation of the traffic code
    2. B. It causes uneven wear across the front tyres
    3. C. It cuts across the path of drivers who expected you to go straight

    Answer: C — It cuts across the path of drivers who expected you to go straight

    Turning from an unexpected lane creates a conflict with any driver in the lane you cut through.

15. 15. When is a U-turn prohibited?

    1. A. Only during the hours of darkness or fog
    2. B. Where signs prohibit it or where you cannot be seen for a safe distance
    3. C. Only on interstate highways and on their entrance and exit ramps

    Answer: B — Where signs prohibit it or where you cannot be seen for a safe distance

    A U-turn needs clear sight distance in both directions and must not be made where prohibited by sign or marking.

16. 16. After completing a turn, what should you check first?

    1. A. Traffic behind and ahead in your new lane
    2. B. The fuel gauge on your dashboard
    3. C. The next street sign ahead

    Answer: A — Traffic behind and ahead in your new lane

    Re-establishing awareness of the traffic around you is the first task once the vehicle is straight.

17. 17. You are being passed by another vehicle. What should you do?

    1. A. Speed up so as to shorten the pass for them
    2. B. Move over onto the paved shoulder
    3. C. Maintain a steady speed and stay in your lane

    Answer: C — Maintain a steady speed and stay in your lane

    A steady speed lets the passing driver judge the manoeuvre and complete it in the distance they planned for.

18. 18. When is it safe to return to your lane after passing?

    1. A. Whenever the driver you passed flashes their headlights at you twice
    2. B. When you can see the passed vehicle's headlights in your rear-view mirror
    3. C. As soon as your own rear bumper has cleared the other vehicle

    Answer: B — When you can see the passed vehicle's headlights in your rear-view mirror

    Seeing both headlights in the mirror confirms there is enough room to move back without cutting the other driver off.

19. 19. Where is passing prohibited regardless of the pavement markings?

    1. A. At an intersection or a railway crossing
    2. B. On any road posted above 45 mph
    3. C. Only within a marked school zone

    Answer: A — At an intersection or a railway crossing

    Passing at intersections and crossings is prohibited because of the concentration of turning and crossing movements.

20. 20. Why is passing a long truck more demanding than passing a car?

    1. A. Trucks accelerate considerably faster than most ordinary cars
    2. B. Trucks are not permitted to be passed at all
    3. C. It takes more distance and time, and the truck has large blind spots

    Answer: C — It takes more distance and time, and the truck has large blind spots

    The extra length means a longer time alongside, in an area where the truck driver may not see you.

21. 21. What should you do if an oncoming vehicle is passing and heading toward you in your lane?

    1. A. Accelerate in order to clear the area as quickly as possible
    2. B. Slow down and move to the right as far as safely possible
    3. C. Maintain your speed and hold your own lane

    Answer: B — Slow down and move to the right as far as safely possible

    Slowing gives the passing driver time and space to complete the manoeuvre or abort it.

22. 22. Before beginning a pass, what must you be certain of?

    1. A. That you can complete it and return to your lane without interfering with oncoming traffic
    2. B. That the vehicle ahead of you has already signalled its own intention to move over
    3. C. That the road ahead of you runs straight for at least 100 feet

    Answer: A — That you can complete it and return to your lane without interfering with oncoming traffic

    The whole manoeuvre, including the return, must fit inside the clear distance you can actually see.

23. 23. Why should you avoid passing a line of several vehicles at once?

    1. A. It is legal only on interstate highways and on divided freeways elsewhere
    2. B. It causes excessive fuel use over the manoeuvre
    3. C. You may not be able to return to your lane if the pass takes longer than expected

    Answer: C — You may not be able to return to your lane if the pass takes longer than expected

    Multi-vehicle passes require far more clear distance and leave no refuge if oncoming traffic appears.

24. 24. What is the purpose of an acceleration lane on a freeway entrance ramp?

    1. A. To serve as an extra travel lane
    2. B. To build speed to match traffic before merging
    3. C. To allow drivers to stop and wait for a gap

    Answer: B — To build speed to match traffic before merging

    Matching the speed of through traffic before merging is what makes a safe gap usable.

25. 25. What is the greatest risk of stopping at the end of an entrance ramp?

    1. A. You cannot accelerate to traffic speed and may be struck from behind
    2. B. You will be fined for driving too slowly at the end of the ramp
    3. C. Your engine may stall before you get going

    Answer: A — You cannot accelerate to traffic speed and may be struck from behind

    Merging from a standstill leaves no room to reach highway speed, which endangers you and following drivers.

26. 26. When should you signal your intention to merge onto a freeway?

    1. A. Only after you have entered the through lane completely
    2. B. Only if there is another vehicle close by
    3. C. Early, while still on the ramp, so through traffic can react

    Answer: C — Early, while still on the ramp, so through traffic can react

    Early signalling lets a driver in the through lane open a gap for you.

27. 27. How should you leave a freeway?

    1. A. Cross several lanes at once right at the exit
    2. B. Move into the exit lane early and slow down in the deceleration lane
    3. C. Slow down in the through lane well before you reach the exit

    Answer: B — Move into the exit lane early and slow down in the deceleration lane

    Braking in the through lane surprises following traffic; slow down after leaving it.

28. 28. You have missed your freeway exit. What should you do?

    1. A. Continue to the next exit
    2. B. Reverse along the shoulder
    3. C. Cross the median to turn around

    Answer: A — Continue to the next exit

    Reversing or crossing a median on a freeway is extremely dangerous and unlawful.

29. 29. Why should you check the ramp speed advisory when leaving a freeway?

    1. A. It is the legal speed limit that applies along the whole of the ramp
    2. B. It applies only to trucks and other large vehicles
    3. C. A ramp curve may require far less speed than the highway you are leaving

    Answer: C — A ramp curve may require far less speed than the highway you are leaving

    Drivers who carry highway speed onto a tight ramp are a common cause of run-off and rollover crashes.

30. 30. What is the safest way to adjust to traffic when entering a busy freeway?

    1. A. Enter as fast as possible regardless of gaps
    2. B. Match the speed of the lane you are joining and merge into a gap
    3. C. Enter slowly and let the through traffic adjust around you

    Answer: B — Match the speed of the lane you are joining and merge into a gap

    Speed matching turns a merge into a lane change rather than an obstruction.