New Mexico General Knowledge CDL Practice Test
25 realistic General Knowledge practice questions for New Mexico CDL applicants. Required for: All CDL applicants (Class A, B, and C). Official test: 50 questions, 40 correct to pass.
Question 1 of 25 · Hours of Service
How often must a driver complete a written record of duty status?
-
A.
Every 8 hours
-
B.
Every 12 hours
-
C.
Every 24 hours
-
D.
Once a week
Correct answer: C.
A daily record of duty status (logbook) must be completed each 24-hour period.
Question 2 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
When you have to drive into the sun and visibility is reduced, what should you do?
-
A.
Use sunglasses and lower the visor
-
B.
Use only your high beams
-
C.
Maintain your normal speed
-
D.
Speed up to get past the area
Correct answer: A.
Use sunglasses and the visor and slow down. Reduced visibility increases stopping distance.
Question 3 of 25 · Driver Wellness
Which of these statements about staying alert to drive is true?
-
A.
Coffee will overcome fatigue
-
B.
You can rely on caffeine to stay awake
-
C.
There is no substitute for sleep
-
D.
Cold air will keep you alert all night
Correct answer: C.
There is no substitute for adequate rest. Caffeine and cold air provide only temporary alertness.
Question 4 of 25 · Basic Control
Which of these is the proper way to hold a steering wheel?
-
A.
One hand at 12 o'clock
-
B.
Both hands on opposite sides of the wheel
-
C.
Both hands on top
-
D.
One hand at 6 o'clock
Correct answer: B.
Hold the wheel firmly with both hands placed on opposite sides for full control.
Question 5 of 25 · Inspection
What is the minimum tread depth for steering axle tires?
-
A.
2/32 inch
-
B.
4/32 inch
-
C.
6/32 inch
-
D.
8/32 inch
Correct answer: B.
Federal regulations require at least 4/32 inch tread depth on steering axle tires.
Question 6 of 25 · Cargo
Which is true about cargo securement?
-
A.
Drivers are responsible for inspecting cargo
-
B.
Cargo only needs to be inspected at the start of a trip
-
C.
Securement is the shipper's sole responsibility
-
D.
Once strapped, cargo never needs re-checking
Correct answer: A.
Drivers must inspect cargo and its securement at the start of the trip and re-check periodically.
Question 7 of 25 · Inspection
When inspecting your vehicle, the engine should be:
-
A.
Running with the hood open
-
B.
Off, with the parking brake set, before starting checks under the hood
-
C.
Idling in gear
-
D.
Warm but turned off only on hills
Correct answer: B.
Set the parking brake, turn off the engine, and chock the wheels before checking under the hood.
Question 8 of 25 · Mountain Driving
What may happen if you don't shift gears properly when going up a hill?
-
A.
You will use less fuel
-
B.
The transmission will be damaged
-
C.
You may lose control on a downgrade
-
D.
Engine RPM will be too low
Correct answer: C.
Improper gear use can result in losing control of speed, especially on the way back down a hill.
Question 9 of 25 · Night Driving
You should use low beam headlights:
-
A.
Whenever you can
-
B.
Within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and 500 feet behind another vehicle
-
C.
Only in fog
-
D.
On lighted city streets only
Correct answer: B.
Use low beams within 500 feet of oncoming traffic and when following within 500 feet of another vehicle.
Question 10 of 25 · Backing
You should always try to park:
-
A.
So that you will have to back when leaving
-
B.
So that you can pull forward when leaving
-
C.
On the right shoulder of any highway
-
D.
Without using the parking brake
Correct answer: B.
Park so that you can pull forward to leave. Backing should always be avoided when possible.
Question 11 of 25 · Speed Management
The total stopping distance of a CDL vehicle includes:
-
A.
Perception, reaction, and braking distance
-
B.
Only braking distance
-
C.
Following distance and brake lag
-
D.
Only the distance traveled while braking
Correct answer: A.
Total stopping distance is the sum of perception distance, reaction distance, brake lag, and braking distance.
Question 12 of 25 · Emergency Maneuvers
Stab braking is used:
-
A.
Only on slippery roads
-
B.
When you must stop quickly with non-ABS brakes
-
C.
Whenever you stop
-
D.
Only on downgrades
Correct answer: B.
Stab braking is an emergency technique used with non-ABS brakes: apply brakes fully, release when wheels lock, then reapply.
Question 13 of 25 · Emergency Maneuvers
What should you do if your brakes fail on a downgrade?
-
A.
Pump the brakes vigorously
-
B.
Look for an escape ramp or open area to slow down
-
C.
Shift into neutral
-
D.
Turn off the engine
Correct answer: B.
If brakes fail, look for an escape ramp or a route that will slow your vehicle without endangering others.
Question 14 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
What should you do when your vehicle hydroplanes?
-
A.
Brake hard immediately
-
B.
Release the accelerator and push in the clutch
-
C.
Steer sharply
-
D.
Accelerate to regain control
Correct answer: B.
Release the accelerator and push in the clutch. Don't use the brakes — let the wheels regain traction.
Question 15 of 25 · Mountain Driving
What are two special conditions where you should downshift?
-
A.
Before starting down a hill and before entering a curve
-
B.
In the city and at intersections
-
C.
On bridges and tunnels
-
D.
Whenever traffic slows
Correct answer: A.
Downshift before going down a hill and before entering a curve to maintain control.
Question 16 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
Hydroplaning is most likely to occur when:
-
A.
Tires are properly inflated
-
B.
Speed is below 30 mph
-
C.
Roads are dry
-
D.
Tires lose contact with the road on wet pavement
Correct answer: D.
Hydroplaning happens when water builds up between the tire and the road, causing loss of contact.
Question 17 of 25 · Speed Management
Whenever you double your speed, the impact in a crash is:
-
A.
Doubled
-
B.
The same
-
C.
Four times greater
-
D.
Half
Correct answer: C.
Crash energy increases with the square of speed — doubling speed quadruples crash forces.
Question 18 of 25 · Emergency Equipment
Which of these is the best way to prevent fires?
-
A.
Smoking only outside the cab
-
B.
Pre-trip inspection that includes electrical, fuel, and exhaust systems
-
C.
Carrying a large fire extinguisher
-
D.
Driving slowly
Correct answer: B.
A thorough pre-trip inspection that catches electrical, fuel, and exhaust defects is the best fire prevention.
Question 19 of 25 · Driver Wellness
Driving while you are tired is dangerous because:
-
A.
It can cause you to take longer to react
-
B.
You will be more attentive
-
C.
You can drive longer between stops
-
D.
You cannot get tickets while tired
Correct answer: A.
Fatigue significantly slows reaction time and impairs judgment.
Question 20 of 25 · Driver Wellness
Distracted driving includes:
-
A.
Talking on a hand-held cell phone
-
B.
Eating
-
C.
Reading maps
-
D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
All of these activities take attention from driving and are forms of distracted driving.
Question 21 of 25 · Communication
Drivers should signal their intentions at least:
-
A.
Right at the moment of turning
-
B.
50 feet before the turn
-
C.
100 feet before the turn
-
D.
In the city, no signaling needed
Correct answer: C.
Signal at least 100 feet before turning to give following drivers time to react.
Question 22 of 25 · Night Driving
When meeting an oncoming vehicle at night, you should:
-
A.
Look directly at the headlights
-
B.
Look toward the right side of the road
-
C.
Switch to high beams
-
D.
Increase speed
Correct answer: B.
Look toward the right side of the road to avoid being blinded by oncoming headlights.
Question 23 of 25 · Speed Management
When you double your speed, your stopping distance is multiplied by approximately:
-
A.
Two
-
B.
Three
-
C.
Four
-
D.
Six
Correct answer: C.
Stopping distance grows with the square of speed. Doubling speed roughly quadruples the distance needed to stop.
Question 24 of 25 · Communication
When changing lanes you should:
-
A.
Do it quickly so other drivers don't catch up
-
B.
Signal early and check mirrors before and during the lane change
-
C.
Turn off the radio
-
D.
Speed up first
Correct answer: B.
Signal early, check mirrors, and look for traffic before and during the change.
Question 25 of 25 · Communication
When should you check your mirrors?
-
A.
Only before changing lanes
-
B.
Frequently, to know what is around your vehicle
-
C.
When parking only
-
D.
Only at intersections
Correct answer: B.
Check mirrors regularly to know what is happening around your vehicle.
About the General Knowledge Test
The General Knowledge test covers safe vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, shifting gears, communicating, controlling speed, controlling distance, seeing hazards, distracted driving, aggressive drivers, communicating with other drivers, night driving, driving in fog, winter driving, hot weather driving, mountain driving, driving emergencies, anti-lock braking systems, skid recovery, accident procedures, fires, alcohol and other drugs, hazardous materials awareness, and staying alert and fit to drive. Every commercial driver in the United States must pass this test before any other CDL endorsement can be added.
The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the CDL General Knowledge on your New Mexico CDL, you need to score at least 40 out of 50 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Adverse Conditions: 3 questions
- Driver Wellness: 3 questions
- Speed Management: 3 questions
- Communication: 3 questions
- Inspection: 2 questions
- Mountain Driving: 2 questions
- Night Driving: 2 questions
- Emergency Maneuvers: 2 questions
- Hours of Service: 1 question
- Basic Control: 1 question
- Cargo: 1 question
- Backing: 1 question
- Emergency Equipment: 1 question
How to use this practice test
- Read each question carefully. CDL questions are written precisely — small wording differences matter.
- Click "Show Answers & Explanations" only after answering every question. Don't peek mid-test.
- Read the explanation for every question, even ones you got right. The reasoning is more important than the answer.
- Repeat the test until you score 100%. The questions are deterministic per state, so you can track your improvement over multiple sessions.
- Move on to the other endorsement tests for New Mexico until you're ready for the official exam.
Tips specific to the General Knowledge test
The General Knowledge test is the foundation of every CDL. Topics include vehicle inspection, basic control, shifting, communicating, controlling speed, controlling space, hazard perception, distracted driving, night driving, fog, winter, hot weather, mountain driving, emergencies, anti-lock brakes, skid recovery, accident procedures, fires, alcohol, hazardous materials awareness, and staying alert. Most failures come from speeding through inspection-related questions; slow down and read carefully.
Other practice tests for New Mexico