General Driving Knowledge — New Mexico
New Mexico CDL practice test: 411 free practice questions (Based on the official driver handbook). The official format is not yet verified; check the official site before your test. General Driving Knowledge: 138 questions.
Questions that do not fit a single topic: lane use, turning, signalling and other rules of the road.
This topic page is still being reviewed against the official handbook. Until review is finished it is hidden from search engines.
| Topic / Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Topic | General Driving Knowledge |
| License test | New Mexico CDL permit (CLP) knowledge tests |
| Topic questions | 138 (34% of 411 total) |
| Review status | This topic page is still being reviewed against the official handbook. Until review is finished it is hidden from search engines. |
Official handbook
Not yet verified
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Questions (138)
1. A placard should be placed:
- At least three inches away from any other markings. ✓
- Under a ladder, if space is an issue.
- On a background that is a similar color to the placard.
Answer: A. At least three inches away from any other markings.
Place placards at least three inches away from any other markings. The handbook's placard checklist says each placard must sit at least three inches from other markings. It also says placards must be kept clear of attachments or devices like ladders, doors, and tarpaulins, and must be on a background of contrasting color. Those rules point to spacing placards away from other markings, not tucking them under equipment or blending them into a similar background.
2. When making a left turn where there are two available turn lanes, a driver should begin the turn in the rightmost lane because:
- It will be easier for the driver to keep track of turning vehicles on their left than on their right. ✓
- The vehicle will be able to turn more quickly.
- Other vehicles will get out of the turning vehicle's way.
Answer: A. It will be easier for the driver to keep track of turning vehicles on their left than on their right.
On a left turn with two turn lanes, start from the right turn lane, because drivers on your left are easier to see than drivers on your right. The handbook's left-turn rules say that when two turning lanes are available, you should always take the right turn lane. It gives two reasons: starting in the inside lane may force you to swing right to complete the turn, and drivers on your left can be seen more readily. The answer fits the second reason. Nothing in the passage says you should pick a lane to save time or that other drivers will move aside for you.
3. If transporting hazardous materials, a shipper should warn others by:
- Posting HazMat placards on their truck. ✓
- Putting flashing lights on their truck.
- Sounding a siren.
Answer: A. Posting HazMat placards on their truck.
A shipper warns others about hazardous materials by posting HazMat placards on the truck. The handbook explains that hazardous materials rules have two big jobs: keep the material contained and communicate the risk. To communicate the risk, shippers must warn drivers and other people about the material's hazards. The required warning steps include hazard warning labels on packages, shipping papers, emergency response information, and placards. The handbook also says vehicles carrying certain hazardous materials must display diamond-shaped placards. That makes placards the warning method described for others on the road, not lights or a siren.
4. When a shipper packages hazardous materials, they certify:
- That the package does not contain hazardous materials.
- That the package has been prepared in compliance with the rules. ✓
- That the package was packed at a different location.
Answer: B. That the package has been prepared in compliance with the rules.
When a shipper packages hazardous materials, they certify that the package has been prepared in compliance with the rules. The handbook says the shipper's certification is a statement that the package was prepared according to the hazardous materials rules. That signed certification appears on the original shipping paper. The handbook notes limited exceptions, such as a private carrier hauling its own product or a package supplied by the carrier. It also tells drivers they may accept the shipper's certification about proper packaging unless the package is clearly unsafe or does not comply. So the certification is about how the package was prepared, not about whether it contains hazardous materials or where it was packed.
5. If manufactured after 1998, converter dollies on doubles and triples:
- May have ABS. ✓
- Will not have ABS.
- Do not always have ABS.
Answer: A. May have ABS.
6. If you must drive in reverse, using driver's side backing:
- Is always encouraged. ✓
- Is discouraged.
- Is only recommended if it is raining.
Answer: A. Is always encouraged.
Driver's side backing is always encouraged, so back toward the driver's side whenever you can. The handbook says to back toward the driver's side so you can see better. Backing toward the right side is very dangerous because your view is worse. Turning toward the driver's side lets you watch the rear of your vehicle through the side window. The handbook adds that you should use driver-side backing even if it means driving around the block to get into that position, because the extra safety is worth it. That is why this way of backing is encouraged, not discouraged or limited to certain weather.
7. When traveling down a downgrade, the speed of a vehicle will likely:
- Decrease.
- Stay the same.
- Increase. ✓
Answer: C. Increase.
8. Which agency helps coordinate emergency response to chemical hazards?
- The National Response Center ✓
- The Federal Containment Organization
- The United Center for Chemical Assistance
Answer: A. The National Response Center
The National Response Center is the agency that helps coordinate emergency response to chemical hazards. The handbook says the National Response Center helps coordinate emergency response to chemical hazards and serves as a resource to police and firefighters. It keeps a 24-hour toll-free line, and you or your employer must call it after certain serious hazardous materials incidents. Since the question asks which agency coordinates emergency response to chemical hazards, the National Response Center is the match. CHEMTREC is a separate line that gives technical information about the properties of hazardous materials, and the two stay in close contact.
9. If your wheels being to spin when accelerating on a poor traction surface, you should:
- Use the brakes.
- Take your foot off the accelerator. ✓
- Continue to accelerate.
Answer: B. Take your foot off the accelerator.
Take your foot off the accelerator when the drive wheels begin to spin. The handbook says to speed up gradually when traction is poor because too much power can make the drive wheels spin and you could lose control. Its instruction for spinning drive wheels is specific: take your foot off the accelerator. The skid section repeats that acceleration-caused skids, often on ice or snow, can be stopped easily by releasing the accelerator. That is why easing off the power is the right response rather than braking or adding more power.
10. A driver should ensure that:
- The shipping paper matches the markings and labels on packages. ✓
- The shipping paper is written in code.
- All packages are labeled as poison.
Answer: A. The shipping paper matches the markings and labels on packages.
A driver should ensure the shipping paper matches the markings and labels on packages. The handbook tells drivers to compare the shipping paper with the markings and labels on the packages. It also says the shipper must show the correct basic description on the paper and verify that the packages carry the proper labels. Package markings also need to use the same hazardous material name as the shipping paper. That makes the paperwork and the package agree, so the driver can check that the shipment is described and labeled consistently.
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Last checked: 2026-10-17 · Verified from official source
Updated: · Based on the official driver handbook