NM DMV Right-of-Way Rules 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You approach an intersection where the traffic light is not working (dark). How should you treat it?
- Treat it as a yield sign for all directions
- Treat it as a four-way stop (Correct answer)
- The driver on the larger road has the right-of-way
- Proceed without stopping since there is no signal
Correct answer: Treat it as a four-way stop
A non-functioning traffic signal should be treated as a four-way stop — all drivers must stop and yield appropriately.
Question 2: A school bus has stopped on a two-lane road with red flashing lights and an extended stop arm. You are approaching from behind. You must:
- Slow to 15 mph and pass carefully
- Stop at least 10 feet behind the bus and wait until the lights stop flashing (Correct answer)
- Change lanes to the left and pass the bus slowly
- Stop only if children are visible outside the bus
Correct answer: Stop at least 10 feet behind the bus and wait until the lights stop flashing
You must stop at least 10 feet behind a school bus displaying red flashing lights and not proceed until the lights stop flashing.
Question 3: You are approaching a school bus on a divided highway (with a median or barrier). The bus is on the opposite side. You must:
- Stop until the bus lights stop flashing
- Slow to 20 mph and proceed cautiously
- Continue driving at normal speed — divided highway exempts you (Correct answer)
- Yield only if you see children crossing
Correct answer: Continue driving at normal speed — divided highway exempts you
On a divided highway with a physical median or barrier, vehicles on the opposite side are not required to stop for a school bus.
Question 4: A funeral procession is moving through an intersection. You are at a cross street with a green light. You should:
- Proceed through on your green light as normal
- Yield to the procession and allow it to pass without interruption (Correct answer)
- Honk to alert the procession that you have the signal
- Pull into the procession since you have the right-of-way
Correct answer: Yield to the procession and allow it to pass without interruption
In New Mexico, drivers must yield to an organized funeral procession and not interrupt it, even when you have a green light.
Question 5: You are driving in a lane and another vehicle from a private driveway is attempting to enter the road ahead of you. Who has the right-of-way?
- The vehicle in the driveway, if it arrived first
- You, since you are on the public road (Correct answer)
- Whoever is the larger vehicle
- It is shared — both must yield halfway
Correct answer: You, since you are on the public road
Vehicles on a public road have the right-of-way over vehicles entering from a private driveway or alley.
Question 6: A bicyclist is riding in a designated bike lane on your right, and you need to turn right at the next intersection. You must:
- Turn right immediately — bikes must yield to turning cars
- Yield to the bicyclist before completing your right turn (Correct answer)
- Sound your horn to warn the cyclist and then turn
- Merge into the bike lane 100 feet early and then turn
Correct answer: Yield to the bicyclist before completing your right turn
You must yield to bicyclists in a bike lane before turning right across the lane.
Question 7: At an uncontrolled intersection (no signs or signals), two vehicles arrive at the same time. Vehicle A is on the north road; Vehicle B is on the east road. Vehicle A wants to go straight and Vehicle B wants to turn right. Who yields?
- Vehicle A yields to Vehicle B since B is turning right
- Vehicle B yields to Vehicle A since B is on the left
- Vehicle A yields to Vehicle B since B is on the right (Correct answer)
- Both vehicles must yield to each other equally
Correct answer: Vehicle A yields to Vehicle B since B is on the right
Vehicle A must yield to Vehicle B because Vehicle B is approaching from the right, which has the right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections.
NM DMV Right-of-Way Rules 2
You approach an intersection where the traffic light is not working (dark).
How should you treat it?