π What to Bring
- β
Proof of identity & residency
Documents accepted by NM MVD (e.g. birth certificate or passport, Social Security number, two proofs of New Mexico residency); REAL ID needs specific documents
- β
Application & fee
Complete the application and pay the fee at an MVD field office or partner agent location
- β
Parent/guardian (if under 18)
Applicants under 18 need parent/guardian consent, driver education, and must move through New Mexico's Graduated Driver License system (instructional permit at 15, provisional, then unrestricted)
π How to Schedule
- 1
Study the manual and practice
Read the New Mexico Driver Manual and take practice tests covering signs, rules of the road, and safe driving.
- 2
Visit an MVD field office
You can take the knowledge test for an instructional permit from age 15. Bring your documents and fee; the test is offered in English and Spanish.
- 3
Pass the vision and knowledge tests
Pass a vision test (at least 20/40), then the 25-question knowledge test (18 to pass). When you pass, you receive your instructional permit and enter New Mexico's graduated licensing.
π‘ Test Day Tips
- β’The New Mexico knowledge test has 25 questions; you must answer 18 correctly (72%) to pass.
- β’You can be arrested for driving with a BAC of 0.08 or more; if you are under 21, the limit is 0.02. Refusing a chemical test costs your license for one year.
- β’Speed limits unless posted otherwise: 15 mph in school zones, 30 mph in business/residential areas, 55 mph on highways, and 75 mph on rural interstates.
- β’Under the White Cane Law, you must take all necessary precautions for a blind pedestrian using a white/metallic cane or a guide dog.
- β’New Mexico's Financial Responsibility Law requires liability insurance of at least $25,000 / $50,000 / $10,000, and proof must be carried in the vehicle at all times.
π Driver Handbook
All practice questions are based on the chapters below. Click any chapter to read it on the official DMV website.
The Driver License
Traffic Control Devices
Lane Controls and General Driving Rules
Right-of-Way, Intersections and Speed
Parking and Traffic Violations
Safe Driving Basics and Communicating
Adjusting to Conditions and Sharing Space
Sharing the Road
Be in Shape to Drive
Collisions, Financial Responsibility and Motorcycles
π― Practice by Topic
The Driver License
New Mexico's Graduated Driver License system (instructional permit, provisional and unrestricted license), license renewal, keeping your license, and safety belt and child-restraint requirements.
Traffic Control Devices
Traffic signals, the shapes and colors of traffic signs and their meanings, and pavement markings.
Lane Controls and General Driving Rules
Other lane controls (reversible, reserved and shared center lanes) and the general rules of the road for everyday driving.
Right-of-Way, Intersections and Speed
Right-of-way rules, one-way streets and traffic circles, and New Mexico speed limits.
Parking and Traffic Violations
Legal and prohibited parking, parking distances, and New Mexico's traffic-violation point system and penalties.
Safe Driving Basics and Communicating
Basic driving skills (starting, accelerating, steering, stopping, scanning, using your lights) and communicating with other road users by signaling your presence and your intentions.
Adjusting to Conditions and Sharing Space
Adjusting to road conditions (including wildlife) and to traffic, how well you can see, and managing the space around your vehicle β ahead, behind, to the side, and to merge, cross or pass.
Sharing the Road
Sharing the road safely with bicycles and with large trucks and RVs, including truckers' blind spots.
Be in Shape to Drive
Being fit to drive: vision, fatigue, drinking and driving and the effects of alcohol, alcohol and the law, other drugs, health, emotions, cell-phone use, and handling emergencies.
Collisions, Financial Responsibility and Motorcycles
Avoiding collisions, dealing with skids, protecting yourself in a crash, accidents and New Mexico's Financial Responsibility Law, and sharing the road safely with motorcycles.