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New Mexico driving lesson · Right-of-Way, Speed & Parking

One-way streets, circles & speed limits

A 2-minute lesson from the New Mexico course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

Study this lesson in the app Back to the course
Read time
2 minutes
Course unit
Right-of-Way, Speed & Parking
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
15, 16

Speed limits exist because speed decides how well you can control your vehicle. New Mexico sets default limits that apply unless a sign says otherwise, and you must still slow down when conditions are poor.

Know the rule

The State may make any public road one-way, and must post signs saying so. Drive only in the direction the sign shows.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Traffic circle

Also called a rotary traffic island. You must drive around it on the right side of the island.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
Neighborhood roundabout diagram
Traffic circle: drive around on the right side of the island

Know the rule

Everyone who operates a motor vehicle must obey all speed limits.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Maximum speed limits

Maximum speed limits
WhereLimit
School zone (posted)15 mph
Business or residential area30 mph unless posted otherwise
Public highways55 mph unless posted otherwise
Rural interstate highways75 mph unless posted otherwise
Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

No one should drive slower than a posted minimum speed limit. If none is posted, drive so you don't interfere with the normal flow of traffic.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

When you are driving slower than other vehicles, travel on the right-hand side of the road.

Handbook p. 16 ↗

Know the rule

Adjust your speed for adverse conditions, for the type of vehicle, and to avoid accidents.

Handbook p. 16 ↗

Put it into practice

You're on an unposted street in a residential neighborhood. The limit is 30 mph. Near a school where a school-zone limit is posted, it drops to 15 mph.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What is the maximum speed limit in a posted school zone?
  1. 15 mph
  2. 25 mph
  3. 20 mph
  4. 10 mph

Answer: 15 mph

The maximum speed in a posted school zone is 15 mph.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
Unless posted otherwise, what is the maximum speed in business or residential areas?
  1. 25 mph
  2. 30 mph
  3. 35 mph
  4. 40 mph

Answer: 30 mph

The maximum speed in business or residential areas is 30 mph unless posted otherwise.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
Unless posted otherwise, what is the maximum speed on public highways?
  1. 60 mph
  2. 50 mph
  3. 55 mph
  4. 65 mph

Answer: 55 mph

The maximum speed on public highways, unless posted otherwise, is 55 mph.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
Unless posted otherwise, what is the maximum speed on rural interstate highways?
  1. 65 mph
  2. 80 mph
  3. 70 mph
  4. 75 mph

Answer: 75 mph

The maximum speed on rural interstate highways, unless posted otherwise, is 75 mph.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
When you drive around a traffic circle (rotary), which side of the island must you drive on?
  1. Either side, driver's choice
  2. Whichever side has less traffic
  3. The left side
  4. The right side

Answer: The right side

When you drive around a traffic circle, you must drive on the right side of the island.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
You may drive slower than a posted minimum speed limit if you feel it is safer.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

No one should drive at a speed less than the minimum posted speed limit.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
Take the lesson checkpoint in the app

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