We've broken our New Mexico CDL practice tests into 16 categories which will cover the entire CDL permit exam, all of the CDL endorsement exams, and your job duties as a driver.
Driving Rules And Regulations will cover the basics like who needs a CDL, CDL classifications, CDL reqiurements and disqualifications, and why special CDL endorsements are sometimes required.
Transporting Cargo will cover the different terms related to truck and cargo weights, driver responsibilities regarding overweight trucks, the safe loading of cargo, and cargo securement.
Safe Driving will cover the basics of a pre-trip inspection, basic control and backing, speed and lane control, managing space around your vehicle, and driving in poor weather conditions.
Transporting Passengers is required for the passenger endorsement and will cover the basics of a pre-trip inspection for a bus, loading and securing passenger cargo, and school bus safety.
The School Bus Endorsement is required in some states for driving a school bus. This section covers loading and unloading passengers safely, bus inspection, and regulations for passenger transport.
Air Brakes will cover the various parts of an air brake system, air brake inspection, proper braking techniques, the differences between air brakes and hydraulic brakes, and stopping distance.
Combination Vehicles is a requirement for driving a tractor trailer and will cover combination vehicle air brakes, coupling and uncoupling trailers, and combination vehicle air brake inspection.
Doubles And Triples is an endorsement needed to pull double trailers or triple trailers and will cover coupling and uncoupling of doubles and triples, inspection, and air brake tests.
Tankers is a required endorsement to pull tanker trailers or large totes of liquid and will cover the pre-trip inspection of tankers, tanker loading, and safe driving for tankers.
Hazardous Materials is an endorsement required to pull hazardous cargo and covers labels and placards, loading and unloading hazardous materials, parking and routing, and emergency response.
Pre-Trip Inspection will cover the inspection of the outside of the truck, the air brake system, inspection of the trailer, engine start and check, and driver responsibilities.
Driving Exam will cover the reqiurements for passing the CDL driving exam, the CDL driving exam scoring system, upgrades and downgrades, and the basics of the driving exam itself.
Logbook Rules is not a requirement for the CDL permit or endorsements but it's critical for doing your job. This is a very thorough section which covers all of the rules governing the logbook.
Weight Distribution is not a requirement for the permit or endorsements but is critical for doing your job. It will cover cargo loading, weight distribution, fuel calculations, and center of gravity.
Flatbed Cargo Securement is not required unless you're pulling a flatbed. This section covers tiedown components, securing devices, working load limits, and requirements for different types of freight.
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
Here are more resources related to getting your CDL in New Mexico:
Learn what is required for getting your CDL in New Mexico
Download the New Mexico CDL manual for free right here.
Find Paid CDL Training In New Mexico
To get a CDL Learner’s Permit, which you need to have in order to enter attend a trucking school and to undergo CDL testing, you will need to independently study for and pass permit testing (in addition to meeting all eligibility and fitness requirements). To study, you will utilize the New Mexico Commercial Driver License Manual, and New Mexico CDL practice tests that you can find online or in books.The CDL Manual will cover everything you need to know for testing, but it’s necessary to learn which parts will be emphasized the most and that you need to memorize in order to pass. You might need to use other sources to aid in your understanding of the manual’s contents.
The exam will only be a written test, not a driving test, as you need to obtain the learner’s permit before you can operate a commercial vehicle and be tested on driving skills. In trucking school, the permit will allow you to complete all of the in-vehicle instruction needed to go through the full CDL test. There will be fees associated with the Commercial Learner’s Permit and any endorsements you will be adding.
In the state of New Mexico, you must be at least 21 years of age to be eligible to drive commercially intrastate (across state lines) or to transport hazardous materials. You must be at least 18 to obtain a CDL of any kind.
You must also meet driving record eligibility requirements. You can be disqualified for similar things as for an active CDL-holder. These include alcohol use, refusal to submit to alcohol testing, drug use, and traffic violations that occurred while you were operating any type of vehicle and in any capacity, and include leaving the scene of an accident or commission of a felony.
You must also meet medical and physical requirements, and have already been examined by an FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) certified medical examiner and obtained a Medical Examiner’s Card. Costs for the exam vary, but it will usually be less than $150 and greater than $35.
Locate a certified medical examiner in your area
After you have obtained your medical card, to begin the process of getting your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), you must visit a Motor Vehicle Division CDL field office.
Find your CDL field office location
You will need to bring originals of all of the following documents with you to the CDL field office at the time of application:
One proof of identity and age: acceptable documents include original or certified copy of U.S. Birth Certificate, U.S. Passport or Passport Card, Consular report of birth abroad issued by the U.S. Department of State, Permanent Resident Card, or Certificate of Citizenship
See detailed requirements for required and accepted documentation
If you intend to drive hazardous materials vehicles and add a Hazmat endorsement, you must also present your TSA (Transportation Security Administration) background and fingerprint approval and proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence. The TSA background check costs $86.50. Note that this is for CDL pursuit planning purposes only, as a hazardous materials endorsement is not possible for the Commercial Learner’s Permit, and you may not practice or take skills tests in Hazmat vehicles or vehicles that have ever been used to transport hazardous materials until after you have obtained your full CDL.
In addition to your medical examination, the CDL field office may also perform its own health screening questionnaire and administer a vision test, similar to the process for getting a regular driver’s license. The vision requirement for unrestricted driver’s licenses is 20/40 acuity in each eye.
You won’t know exactly what is on the New Mexico learner’s permit test until you are taking it, so it’s necessary to thoroughly study the CDL Manual.
New Mexico Commercial Driver’s License Manual
Common topics that are likely to be on the permit tests include, but are not limited to the following, specifically as they relate to commercial vehicles:
After you have completed the entire CLP process, you must wait 14 days to be eligible to undergo full CDL testing. An education program in the interim is necessary to be able to learn and practice the skills needed for that testing, as well as in-depth training on governmental regulations and being successful in a career and lifestyle in trucking.
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Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
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