New Mexico Permit Test: Speed Limits Practice Questions
Posted and default limits, school zones and the basic speed law.
Question 1
Unless posted otherwise, what is the maximum speed in business or residential areas in New Mexico?
Correct answer: 30 mph
The default limit in business and residential districts is 30 mph unless a different limit is posted.
Source: Rules of the Road β Speed Limits
Question 2
What is the maximum speed in a posted school zone in New Mexico?
Correct answer: 15 mph
The maximum in a school zone with a posted limit is 15 mph.
Source: Rules of the Road β Speed Limits
Question 3
Unless posted otherwise, what is the maximum speed on New Mexico public highways?
Correct answer: 55 mph
Public highways have a 55 mph maximum unless a different limit is posted.
Source: Rules of the Road β Speed Limits
Question 4
Unless posted otherwise, what is the maximum speed on rural interstate highways in New Mexico?
Correct answer: 75 mph
The maximum on rural interstates is 75 mph unless posted otherwise.
Source: Rules of the Road β Speed Limits
Question 5
If no minimum speed is posted, how slowly may you drive?
Correct answer: Not so slowly that you interfere with normal traffic
With no posted minimum, drive at a speed that does not interfere with regular traffic flow, and keep right if you are slower than others.
Source: Rules of the Road β Speed Limits
Question 6
If you are driving slower than other traffic, where should you be?
Correct answer: On the right-hand side of the road
When your speed is slower than other vehicles, travel on the right-hand side of the road.
Source: Rules of the Road β Speed Limits
Question 7
When is it appropriate to drive at the maximum posted speed limit?
Correct answer: Only in ideal driving conditions
The maximum limit is for ideal conditions; reduce your speed in rain, snow, ice, fog or other poor conditions.
Source: Rules of the Road β Traffic Control Devices β Traffic Signs (Speed Limit Signs)
Question 8
How much should you reduce your speed on a wet road?
Correct answer: About 10 mph
On a wet road, slow down by about 10 mph.
Source: Communicating β Adjusting to Road Conditions
Question 9
How much should you cut your speed on packed snow?
Correct answer: In half
On packed snow, cut your speed in half; on ice, slow to a crawl.
Source: Communicating β Adjusting to Road Conditions
Question 10
On dry pavement with good tires and brakes, about how far does it take to react and stop from 50 mph?
Correct answer: About 400 feet
At 50 mph it can take about 400 feet, roughly a city block, to react and stop.
Source: Communicating β How Well Can You See?
Question 11
About how far does it take to react and stop from 30 mph on dry pavement?
Correct answer: About 200 feet
At 30 mph it can take about 200 feet to stop, almost half a city block.
Source: Communicating β How Well Can You See?
Question 12
Your headlights let you see about 400 feet ahead at night. What speed lets you stop within that distance?
Correct answer: About 50 mph
You must be able to stop within your headlight range; about 400 feet corresponds to about 50 mph.
Source: Communicating β How Well Can You See?
Question 13
In thick fog you can see only about 200 feet ahead. What is the fastest you can safely drive?
Correct answer: 30 mph
When you cannot see farther than about 200 feet, you cannot safely drive faster than 30 mph.
Source: Communicating β How Well Can You See?
Question 14
How does the "Four Second Sight Distance Rule" tell you if you are driving too fast?
Correct answer: If you reach a fixed object you picked out before counting four seconds, slow down
Pick a stationary object as far ahead as you can see and count four seconds; if you reach it before you finish, you are going too fast for your sight distance.
Source: Communicating β How Well Can You See? (Sight-Distance Rule)
Question 15
Why is driving much slower than other traffic a problem?
Correct answer: It makes vehicles bunch up behind you and pass you
Going much slower than others can be as dangerous as speeding; if vehicles pile up behind you, pull over when safe and let them pass.