What are Private MVD Offices?
Private MVD Offices have a contract with the State MVD to provide MVD services to the public. Private MVD Offices charge administrative fees, in addition to any MVD fees that apply to your transactions.

I am moving to New Mexico. When am I required to get a New Mexico driver license?
Once you have established residency in New Mexico, you are required to surrender to MVD your license from any other state and apply for a New Mexico license.

How do I apply for a New Mexico driver license?
If you are a first-time New Mexico licensee, aged 18 to 24, you are required to take the 'None for the Road' self-study DWI Awareness Class. Once you complete the None for the Road class, take your certificate of completion and other required identification to any MVD Field Office to apply for your license. See the question below on what to take to the MVD Office to get a NM driver's license.
Note: Individuals who are age 25 or older generally are not required to take the None for the Road class.

Who is required to take the None for the Road class?
Persons 25 years of age and older who have ever been convicted of DWI, and who are applying for their first New Mexico driver license, must also submit evidence of having successfully completed an approved DWI prevention and education program, such as None for the Road or another state's equivalent program.

How do I sign up for a None for the Road class?
To register for None for the Road Online Click Here.
The None for the Road class is administered by the University of New Mexico Continuing Education, not by the MVD. Information about the class and a class application are available online or by calling 505-277-0051 (Albuquerque and surrounding areas) or toll -free at 1-877- 663-7465. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

What should I take with me to the MVD Now Office to get my first New Mexico driver license?
To obtain a non-commercial driver license or identification card you will need to provide:
- one (1) proof of identification number,
- one (1) proof of identity, and
- two (2) proofs or New Mexico residency.

At least one of the 'proof of identity' or 'proof of identification number' documents must also show your date of birth.

What tests are required to get a New Mexico driver license?
Eye Test - Persons with a current driver license from another state, or those applying for a first-time New Mexico driver license, are required to pass an eye exam.

Written Test - Persons applying for a first-time New Mexico driver license, or those with licenses expired for one year or more, must pass required written test(s). This test is not required if you have a current out-of-state driver license.

Road Test - All persons applying for a first-time New Mexico driver license, or those with licenses expired over five years, must pass a required road test(s). This test is not required if you have a current out-of-state driver license.

A license will not be issued if your driving privileges have been suspended, revoked, or denied by this state or any other state.

How much does a driver license cost?
The fee is $43.68 for a four-year license or $59.68 for an eight-year license.

Drivers who are 75 years old or older must renew their licenses yearly, but they are charged a discounted fee of $12.50. State law now requires a DWI records check on all drivers moving to New Mexico from out-of-state. To pay for the records check, those drivers are charged an additional one-time $15.00 fee, increasing their total to $33.00 for a four-year license or $49.00 for an eight-year license.

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Driver License Renewals

Are any documents required to renew my New Mexico driver license or ID card?
No, but you must surrender your current NM license to receive your renewal license.

CDL frequently asked questions

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DWI Unit frequently asked questions

The most common misconception is that the criminal and civil actions are the same. Every DWI has two sides. The civil side, which is the Motor Vehicle Division administrative action and the criminal conviction through the courts.

In our administrative hearing, the law enforcement officer has only four points to prove:

1. that the law enforcement officer had reasonable grounds to believe the driver was driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor;
2. whether the person was arrested;
3. whether the administrative hearing was held no later than 90 days after the notice of revocation; and that
4. either: a) the person refused to submit to the test upon request of the law enforcement officer; or b) a chemical test was administered and the test results indicated an alcohol concentration of .08 or more for a person 21 years of age or older, .04 or more if the person is a Commercial Driver’s License holder or .02 or more if the person is less than 21 years of age.

By statute (Sections 66-8-107 through 66-8-112 and 66-5-29 NMSA 1978), all of this information is available for review.

How long is the DWI license revocation period?
Effective June 17, 2005:
Implied Consent

• Adult Refusal – One year
• Adult 1st Offense – Six months
• Adult 2nd and Subsequent Offense – One year
• Juvenile – One year

Criminal

• 1st Offense – One year
• 2nd Offense – Two years
• 3rd Offense – Three years
• 4th and subsequent Offense – Lifetime

How do I get an Interlock License?
Anyone on revocation for a DWI offense is eligible to apply for and receive an Ignition Interlock License upon providing proof of insurance and the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device in any car the individual drives.

What if I want to dispute the DWI citation because I believe someone else used my identity information?
Only the court or the law enforcement officer who wrote the citation can recall or dismiss a citation for identity theft. A letter written on department letterhead will need to be provided indicating the name, social security number, date of birth, license number, and citation number and the reason for the dismissal. In addition, provide the name and information on the correct offender, if available.

Is there a way that I can get a copy of my DWI citations, because I believe that the number of convictions on my record is incorrect?
Yes. MVD Now can print a copy of your Motor Vehicle Record for a fee of $12.50

This is my third offense, but when I went to court the judge reduced it to my second offense. Why am I still under revocation for a three-year period?
The Motor Vehicle Division does not consider a reduction in offense by the court when a revocation period is determined. MVD looks at the number of convictions on your record and adjusts the revocation period based on the new conviction.

The Judge said that he would defer the DWI and dismiss it once I completed a predetermined probationary period. Why is the DWI still on my record, and why am I revoked?
In the State of New Mexico, a Judge cannot defer to dismiss a DWI once the driver enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or if there is a finding of guilt by the court. By statute (Section 66-8-102(T)(d)(3) NMSA 1978) a DWI conviction "means an adjudication of guilt and does not include imposition of a sentence." Conviction was so defined specifically to prevent a dismissal (subsequent to a deferred sentence) from erasing a DWI.

Do I still have to pay a reinstatement fee if I’ve moved out of New Mexico or I am no longer a resident?
Yes. The fee is assessed as part of the fine for a DWI citation, and is required to completely clear the driver's record after a revocation period has expired.

If I paid fines through the court, why do I have to pay MVD?
The criminal and civil actions are completely different. Some fines are associated with conviction actions, and other fines are associated with Implied Consent/Administrative actions.

I reinstated after the administrative action, but before the criminal conviction was posted to my record. Can I get a refund for the $100?
No. You must wait until you are eligible to reinstate, and then apply for your driver’s license again and pay the reinstatement fee. The clerk at the field office cannot see future dates or postings, and can only see what is posted to the record. If the conviction has not been sent by the court, it will not be available on the driving history until it is received and recorded.

How do I request a MVD administrative hearing for the revocation based on my arrest?
A Request for Hearing form (MVD-10792) is available from any MVD Now office and on the Internet at http://www.tax.state.nm.us/forms/mvd/mvd_form.htm - or you may simply submit a letter requesting a hearing. Include a copy of the citation or notice of revocation; information such as the driver’s name, date of birth and social security number; and (unless you can provide a letter of indigency) a $25 check or money order. Indicate that you are contesting the administrative revocation of your license. This request must be postmarked or hand delivered to MVD's Central Administration office in the Joseph M. Montoya Building at 1100 South St. Francis Drive in Santa Fe, NM within 10 days of being served the Notice of Revocation. If the request for hearing is not complete, you will receive a denial letter. You may appeal the denial of a request for hearing to a district court.

Can I drive while I am awaiting the administrative hearing?
Yes. Unless you have any other conditions of suspension on your driving record, you will have driving privileges pending the outcome of the hearing.

How long does a DWI stay on my record?
A DWI will stay on the driving record according to the date it was received:

A DWI received on	Will stay on the driver's record for
1953 through June 30, 1961	5 years
July 1, 1961 through June 30, 1969	lifetime
July 1, 1969 through June 30, 1975	5 years
July 1, 1975 through June 30, 1990	lifetime
July 1, 1990 through June 16, 2005	25 years
June 17, 2005 through present	55 years