Motor Vehicle Division (MVD)
New Mexico Permit Test (2026)
Study for the official MVD MVD Knowledge Exam with free practice tests written from the state's own rules — plus the verified facts below: how many questions, the passing score, and what it costs.
New Mexico permit test: quick facts
- Questions on the exam
- Check your state's official site
- Passing score
- 70%
- Minimum permit age
- 15
- Fee
- $10.00 for the instructional permit and $18.00 for the provisional license. A full driver license costs $18.00 for four years or $34.00 for eight years.
- If you fail
- You may take the non-commercial knowledge exam up to twice per week (Sunday through Saturday), even twice on the same day. After a third failure you must wait six months, measured from the date of your first exam, before testing again. Passing scores remain valid for five years.
- Online testing
- In person only
- Languages
- The knowledge exam is offered in 8 languages: English, Spanish, Tagalog, Italian, German, French, Vietnamese, and Chinese. The driver manual is published in English and Spanish.
How it works
Step 1
Take Practice Test 1 like the real thing — no notes, one question at a time.
Step 2
Read every explanation, especially for questions you missed. That's where the learning happens.
Step 3
Repeat with Test 2 and the road signs test until you pass comfortably every time.
Free New Mexico practice tests
New Mexico Practice Test 1
30 questions — signs, rules, and state law
New Mexico Practice Test 2
30 fresh questions, no repeats from Test 1
New Mexico Road Signs Test
25 questions on signs, shapes, and signals
New-driver rules in New Mexico
New Mexico's graduated licensing starts at 15, when a teen enrolled in a state-approved driver education course (with a DWI component) can pass the knowledge and vision tests for an instructional permit. The permit must be held at least six months while the teen logs 50 hours of supervised practice, including 10 at night, certified by a parent or guardian. The provisional license (minimum age 15 1/2) bars unsupervised driving from midnight to 5 a.m. and allows only one non-family passenger under 21 unless a licensed driver 21 or older is aboard; after 12 months and a clean 90-day record, the driver can apply for an unrestricted license.
Verified 2026-08-18 · Source: MVD
New Mexico permit test FAQ
What score do you need to pass the New Mexico permit test?
You must score at least 70% to pass the New Mexico MVD Knowledge Exam, according to the MVD.
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in New Mexico?
You can apply for a learner's permit in New Mexico at 15, according to the MVD (verified 2026-08-18).
How much does the New Mexico permit cost?
$10.00 for the instructional permit and $18.00 for the provisional license. A full driver license costs $18.00 for four years or $34.00 for eight years. — as listed by the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), verified 2026-08-18. Always confirm current fees on the official site.
What happens if you fail the New Mexico permit test?
You may take the non-commercial knowledge exam up to twice per week (Sunday through Saturday), even twice on the same day. After a third failure you must wait six months, measured from the date of your first exam, before testing again. Passing scores remain valid for five years. (per the MVD, verified 2026-08-18).
Can you take the New Mexico permit test online?
No. The New Mexico MVD Knowledge Exam is administered in person through the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), not online.
What languages is the New Mexico permit test offered in?
The knowledge exam is offered in 8 languages: English, Spanish, Tagalog, Italian, German, French, Vietnamese, and Chinese. The driver manual is published in English and Spanish. (per the MVD, verified 2026-08-18).
Who runs the permit test in New Mexico?
Driver licensing in New Mexico is handled by the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). The official site is https://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/.
Where can I read the official New Mexico driver handbook?
The official New Mexico driver handbook is published by the MVD at https://realfile.tax.newmexico.gov/English%20Drivers%20Manualver11.19.19.pdf. It is the source our practice questions are grounded in.