New Mexico (NM) CDL manual 2026

Practice the manual, chapter by chapter

State manuals are built on the same national model, chapter for chapter. One thing to know from each chapter, then real questions from it to answer — tap an option to check yourself.

1. 1

   Introduction

   Everyone

   If your privilege to operate your personal vehicle is revoked, cancelled, or suspended due to alcohol, controlled substance or felony violations, you will lose your CDL for one year.

   How quickly must you tell your employer that your license has been suspended?

   1. AWithin two business days
   2. BBefore your next dispatch
   3. CWithin seven days
   4. DWithin 30 days

   How far above the posted limit counts as excessive speeding for a serious traffic violation?

   1. A10 mph or more
   2. B5 mph or more
   3. C15 mph or more
   4. D20 mph or more
   This chapter has 26 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
2. 2

   Driving Safely

   Everyone

   People are least alert during the hours when their body clock calls for sleep, especially late night into early morning, making that the highest-risk period for drowsy driving.

   What must be confirmed before you open the engine compartment in Step 2?

   1. AThat the parking brakes are on or wheels chocked
   2. BThat the engine has cooled for ten minutes
   3. CThat the transmission is in its highest gear
   4. DThat the battery has been disconnected

   When does the manual tell you to be especially alert for drunk and sleepy drivers?

   1. ALate at night
   2. BOn weekend afternoons
   3. CIn the hour after sunset
   4. DDuring the morning commute
   This chapter has 290 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
3. 3

   Transporting Cargo Safely

   Everyone

   Suspension systems have a manufacturer's weight capacity rating.

   On a flatbed, what additional risk comes with a high center of gravity?

   1. AThe deck will flex and crack over time
   2. BThe trailer will ride nose-high when loaded
   3. CThe load may shift to the side or fall off
   4. DThe tie-downs will loosen as the trip continues

   What happens when there is too little weight on the driving axles?

   1. APoor traction, and drive wheels that spin easily
   2. BExcessive wear on the steering axle tires
   3. CIncreased stopping distance on dry roads
   4. DReduced braking on the trailer axles
   This chapter has 26 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
4. 4

   Transporting Passengers

   P endorsement (bus)

   The after-trip inspection includes walking through the bus to find damage such as broken seats or handholds and any items riders left behind.

   On buses designed to allow standing, how is the standee line marked?

   1. AA painted stripe on the ceiling
   2. BA four-inch line on the floor
   3. CA row of studs across the aisle
   4. DA two-inch line on the floor

   You are driving a bus toward a railroad crossing where a stop is required. Within what distance range before the nearest rail must you stop?

   1. A100 to 200 feet
   2. B50 to 100 feet
   3. C15 to 50 feet
   4. D5 to 10 feet
   This chapter has 98 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
5. 5

   Air Brakes

   Any vehicle with air brakes

   A leak in the air brake system which causes all the air to be lost will cause the springs to put on the brakes.

   How is a manually operated air tank drain valve worked?

   1. ABy holding the dash drain switch until air stops
   2. BBy loosening the tank's inspection plate
   3. CBy backing off the fitting with a wrench
   4. DBy turning it a quarter turn or pulling a cable

   How long a crack in a brake drum or disc is acceptable during inspection?

   1. ANone longer than one inch measured across the surface
   2. BNone longer than one half the width of the friction area
   3. CNone longer than one quarter of the drum circumference
   4. DAny crack that does not pass fully through the drum
   This chapter has 148 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
6. 6

   Combination Vehicles

   Class A

   Inspection of the lower fifth wheel covers secure mounting, no missing or cracked parts, and proper lubrication of the plate.

   When you can choose the direction, toward which side should you back a tractor-trailer?

   1. AThe right side, so the curb can guide the trailer
   2. BWhichever side offers the most open pavement
   3. CThe passenger side, to keep the fuel tank protected
   4. DThe driver's side, where you can see the trailer directly

   After the fifth wheel jaws lock during coupling, how do you confirm the connection with a tug test?

   1. APull forward gently in low gear with the trailer brakes locked
   2. BBack up firmly once more to reseat the kingpin
   3. CShake the release handle while a helper watches the jaws
   4. DRock the trailer sideways using the steering axle
   This chapter has 118 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
7. 7

   Doubles and Triples

   T endorsement

   When checking the lower fifth wheel, the release arm must be properly seated and the safety latch or lock engaged.

   Which air lines must continue past the converter dolly to reach the second trailer of a set of doubles?

   1. ANeither; the dolly's tank supplies the rear trailer
   2. BBoth the service line and the emergency line
   3. COnly the service line
   4. DOnly the emergency line

   What benefit does a driver get from placing the lightest trailer at the rear of a set of doubles?

   1. AA shorter overall length for the combination vehicle
   2. BBetter fuel economy when driving into strong headwinds
   3. CA lower chance of the rear trailer tipping or whipping over
   4. DFaster brake application at the rear trailer's axles
   This chapter has 98 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
8. 8

   Tank Vehicles

   N endorsement

   In stab braking the driver applies the brakes fully, releases when the wheels lock, and reapplies when the wheels begin rolling again.

   Inside cargo tanks, what is the key structural difference between a bulkhead and a baffle?

   1. AA bulkhead is removable for cleaning, while a baffle is welded in place
   2. BA bulkhead is solid and seals off compartments; a baffle has holes that let liquid pass
   3. CA bulkhead runs lengthwise along the tank, while a baffle runs across it
   4. DA bulkhead strengthens the tank shell, while a baffle only supports the piping

   Compared with most other kinds of cargo, why does a load of liquid in a tank make a truck easier to roll over?

   1. ALiquid cargo gradually lowers the air pressure in the tires
   2. BMuch of the load's weight is carried high above the roadway
   3. CLiquid loads are always heavier than dry freight loads
   4. DTank trailers ride on narrower axles than flatbed trailers
   This chapter has 62 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
9. 9

   Hazardous Materials

   H endorsement

   Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) are bulk packages but are not required to have the owner's name or shipping name.

   Which classes may not be carried as overhang or tailgate loads?

   1. AClasses 1, 4, and 5
   2. BClasses 2.2, 6.2, and ORM-D
   3. CClasses 2, 3, and 6
   4. DClasses 7, 8, and 9

   When your vehicle must be placarded, where on the vehicle do the placards belong?

   1. AOn the rear doors and the driver's door only
   2. BOn both sides only, mounted near the axles
   3. COn the front, rear, and both sides of the vehicle
   4. DOn the roof and the rear of the trailer
   This chapter has 234 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
10. 10

    School Buses

    S endorsement

    Make a final check to see that all traffic has stopped before completely opening the door and signaling students to approach.

    Compared with flat mirrors, what is the main advantage of the convex mirrors mounted on the sides of a school bus?

    1. AThey give a much wider view along the side of the bus than flat mirrors do
    2. BThey show objects at their true size and their actual distance
    3. CThey reveal the area hidden directly behind the rear bumper
    4. DThey remove any need to check the flat mirrors before moving

    What does a sign mounted below the cross-buck tell you?

    1. AThe speed limit for crossing the tracks
    2. BThe number of tracks at the crossing
    3. CThe name of the railroad operating the line
    4. DThe distance to the next crossing
    This chapter has 98 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
11. 11

    Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection

    Everyone (skills test)

    Inspect that reflector tape on the sides and rear of the trailer are present and affixed securely to the vehicle.

    What is the stated function of the lug nuts?

    1. ATo retain the brake drum on the hub
    2. BTo center the tire on the rim
    3. CTo seal the hub against water entry
    4. DTo hold the wheel on the axle

    With the engine in what state are the critical fluid levels inspected?

    1. AEngine at fast idle
    2. BEngine off
    3. CEngine warmed and then shut down
    4. DEngine at normal idle
    This chapter has 200 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.

The official New Mexico CDL manual