New Mexico written test scoring: 18 of 25

Section E of Chapter 11 of the MVD Driver Procedures Manual requires all class D and M written test scores to be 70 percent or better. That is the number MVD actually publishes, and it is lower than the 80 percent used across most of the region, so it holds whatever the exam length turns out to be. The count is the missing half. It appears in neither that chapter, nor the learner permit page, nor the MVD frequently asked questions, nor the official New Mexico Driver Manual, whose only reference to the exam is that a permit applicant must pass the knowledge test. Two unofficial figures circulate and neither is an MVD publication, so this page states the percentage and declines to state a length.

At the permit stage, New Mexico does not require the written test at all if you have taken the right course. MVD's instructional permit chapter lists the knowledge requirement as either a passing written test or a Certificate of Completion from a driver education school under contract to MVD. Since Chapter 3 already allows any person 15 or older who is enrolled in, or has completed, an approved driver education course to apply, a large share of New Mexico applicants clear the knowledge requirement through the school rather than at an MVD counter. The instructional permit costs 10 dollars and stays valid for 4 years, the same length MVD gives a standard license.

MVD's testing rules name eight languages for the knowledge exam, English, Spanish, Tagalog, Italian, German, French, Vietnamese and Chinese, and add that there are no plans to offer more. Chapter 11 describes only in person written testing, noting the exam may also be given by an MVD contracted driver education school, and no MVD page reviewed mentions an online option. The retake rules are lopsided: MVD sets a wait of at least one week after a failed road test but publishes no fixed wait for a failed written test, so ask your field office whether same day retesting is available rather than assuming either way.