Checked against official New Mexico sources on Oct 8, 2026
New Mexico CDL practice test
Every state needs at least 80% on each CDL written test, and New Mexico follows the same federal rule. Below are the fees, ages and rules we checked against the official New Mexico source, and a free practice test.
FirstTry CDL is not affiliated with any DMV, FMCSA or government agency. Practice questions are exam-style questions built from the official CDL manual, not actual test questions.
New Mexico CDL facts
| What | What New Mexico says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | You must be 21 or older to drive interstate. If you are 18 to 20, you can get a CDL with a K restriction. It limits you to driving inside New Mexico. To haul placarded hazardous materials you must be 21 or older, even inside the state. | Official page |
| CDL fee | $18.00 for a four-year license or $34.00 for an eight-year license. Drivers moving from out of state pay an extra one-time $15.00 for a DWI records check, so $33.00 or $49.00. | Official page |
| Hazmat endorsement and fee | The extra cost for the background check and fingerprinting needed for a hazmat endorsement is $127.00. A driver with a hazmat endorsement cannot get an eight-year license. | Official page |
| Hazmat knowledge test timing | A hazmat endorsement needs a fingerprint-based background check and a TSA threat assessment before it can be issued. The hazmat knowledge test is taken at an MVD office, and only after the TSA assessment is done. TSA's target is 30 days from when your fingerprints are submitted. | Official page |
| Written test retakes | CDL applicants can take CDL written tests up to twice a week. There is no limit to the number of times they can take the test each year. | Official page |
| Written tests by class | Class A needs general knowledge, air brakes and combination. Class B needs general knowledge and air brakes. Class C needs general knowledge. | Official page |
| Passing score | Each part of the knowledge and skills test is graded on its own. A passing score is 80% or higher. | Official page |
| Knowledge tests are on a kiosk | All CDL knowledge tests are given on a kiosk machine at the MVD. Your scores can be seen at the kiosk in any MVD office. | Official page |
| CLP validity | A commercial learner's permit is good for 1 year. You must retake all required knowledge tests to renew it or to add endorsements. | Official page |
| CLP endorsements | A CLP cannot have a hazmat endorsement. The only endorsements allowed on a CLP are P (passenger), S (school bus) and N (tank vehicle). | Official page |
| CLP holding time | A CLP holder cannot take the CDL skills test in the first 14 days after the CLP is first issued. | Official page |
| Entry level driver training | If you applied for a first CLP on or after February 7, 2022, you must finish entry level driver training with a provider on the federal Training Provider Registry. This also covers first-time school bus, passenger and hazmat endorsements. | Official page |
| Skills test | Skills tests are given by approved third party examiners. Fees for the skills test are paid to the examiner, not to the State of New Mexico. | Official page |
| Skills test comes after the CLP | You must hold a CLP before a skills test can be given. | Official page |
| Not every office issues CDLs | Not all MVD field offices issue CDLs. Check the list of CDL field offices before you go. | Official page |
| Air brake restriction | If you do not take your skills test in a vehicle with full air brakes, your CDL gets an L restriction. It can only be removed by passing a skills test with an examiner in a commercial vehicle with air brakes. You pay for a new issuance. | Official page |
| Moving to New Mexico | A person who has lived in New Mexico for at least 30 days may not drive a commercial vehicle on a CDL from another state. | Official page |
| Out-of-state CDL exchange | You do not need written tests to exchange a valid out-of-state CDL for a New Mexico CDL with the same class and endorsements. | Official page |
| Expired CDL | If a New Mexico CDL has been expired for less than a year, you do not need to retest. If it has been expired for more than a year, you must retest on both the knowledge and skills tests. | Official page |
| Medical certificate | Your DOT medical certificate must come from a medical examiner on the National Registry. New Mexico does not offer a medical waiver for hearing or color blindness to commercial drivers. | Official page |
| Name on your license | MVD can only use your legal name as it appears on your identity documents. Nicknames are not allowed. | Official page |
| Cheating | Anyone caught cheating or committing an offense while testing has their CDL application or license disqualified for one year. A CDL holder must then get a Class D license. | Official page |
Fees and rules change. Confirm on the official New Mexico CDL page before you go. Read the official New Mexico CDL manual.
CDL test formats
We show the national defaults for question counts and time limits. Check the official New Mexico manual for anything that differs.
| Test | Questions | To pass | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | 50 | 40 (80%) | About 60 minutes |
| Air Brakes | 25 | 20 (80%) | 25 to 30 minutes |
| Combination Vehicles | 20 (25 questions in some states) | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Hazardous Materials | 30 | 24 (80%) | 30 to 40 minutes |
| Tanker | 20 | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Passenger | 20 | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| School Bus | 20 (25 questions in some states) | 16 (80%) | About 25 minutes |
| Doubles/Triples | 20 | 16 (80%) | About 20 minutes |
Practice any of them: all CDL practice tests.