1. If you are taking up residency in New Mexico, you must surrender your license from any other state and apply for a New Mexico license within 30 days of moving to New Mexico. No written or road test is required if you own a valid out of state license. You will be required to pass an eye test. Proof of address is required when applying for a NM license such as mail received at your home, a rental or lease agreement, checkbook with current address. A license will not be issued if your driving privileges have been suspended, revoked, or denied by this state or any other state.
2. All first-time licensees in New Mexico ages 18 to 24 (not required for persons 25 years and older) are required to take the "None for the Road" awareness class. There are two steps you must take to get a New Mexico license: Complete the "None for the Road" course. This course is not administered by the Taxation and Revenue Department's Motor Vehicle Division. The class is offered as a self-study course available by mail. Course materials include a student manual/workbook and a video. The video is also offered as a closed-caption tape. Persons required to take the course may obtain a "None for the Road" flyer/application directly from Rapid MVD office. The flyer contains complete information for registering, obtaining course materials, and completing the course.

   Take your certificate of completion from the None for the Road course and your social security card and any one of these documents for identification: original birth certificate, certified copy of birth certificate, original church record, certified copy of church record, U.S. passport or foreign passport, Indian census card, or current driver's license from another state or country.

3. All first-time licensees in New Mexico under age 18 applying for an instructional permit must progress through a three stage sytem to obtain a driver license:
   • Stage 1 - To obtain a permit, a teen must be at least 15 years old, obtain parental consent, and must have completed or be enrolled in a state-approved driver education program. A written and vision test is required. A teen must hold the permit for 6 months and complete the driver education program. The teen must complete 50 hours of supervised driving practice, to include 10 hours at night. A parent or guardian must certify in writing that these hours have been completed.
   • Stage 2 - A teen must be at least 15 ½ years old and pass a driving test. Once the provisional license is issued, the driver must hold the license for 12 months before obtaining a full license.
   • Stage 3 - To obtain a full license, a driver must complete Stage 2 successfully.
   • Documents required for identification must be presented at the time of starting Stage 1. An original birth certificate, certified copy of birth certificate, original church record, certified copy of church record, U.S. passport or foreign passport, Indian census card along with a social security card must be presented to obtain permit. No copies or laminated/altered documents will be accepted. Proof of address is also required such as mail received at your home, a rental or lease agreement, checkbook with current address. For teens applying for the first time, parents proof of address is acceptable.
   • The fee for a first time license is $16.00 for a four-year license or $32.00 for an eight-year license.

• your certificate of title;
• your current certificate of registration from another state;
• your odometer statement;
• proof of your New Mexico residential address (see documents required in the Drivers License Section),
• vehicle ID inspection certificate signed by a full-time law enforcement officer if you cannot drive the vehicle to Rapid MVD. If you can drive the vehicle legally to Rapid MVD, an employee will perform the vehicle ID inspection.
• proof of insurance including policy number and insurance carrier name You must have a liability policy (or surety bond or cash deposit) with a minimum of $60,000 in coverage: $25,000 coverage for bodily injury to or death of 1 person, $50,000 coverage for bodily injury to or death of 2 or more persons, and $10,000 for property damage in any one accident.
In addition to the above, residents of the Albuquerque metropolitan area (Bernalillo County and parts of adjacent counties) must provide proof that the vehicle has passed an emissions inspection test. These tests are available throughout the county at certified "Air Care" stations. For more information about emissions testing, contact the Vehicle Pollution Management Division, 1500 Broadway NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102; (505) 247-2273. The above list of required documentation applies to the individual who is titling and registering a vehicle already titled in his or her name in another state.

The registration fee for passenger vehicles is based on the weight and year model of the vehicle. Registration fees range from $20.00 to $46.00 for a one (1) year registration or $39.00 to $91.00 for a two (2) year registration. Registration fees for trucks with a DGVW (Declared Gross Vehicle Weight) of 26,000 pounds or less are also based on the weight and model year of the vehicle. Registration fees range from $26.00 to $130.50 for a one (1) year registration or $52.00 to $261.00 for a two (2) year registration. Permanent registration is available for utility and travel trailers weighing under 6,000 pounds. For further information, please contact your local MVD office.

If your vehicle is out-of-state and an emission test is required for New Mexico registration, you must complete the required "Out of State Waiver " and complete all required MVD documents and submit all documents to Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Vehicle Pollution Management Program. They approve the waiver and forward your registration payment and forms to MVD. You must submit your waiver form prior to the 10th of the month to allow for processing time.

Title transfer and vehicle registration In New Mexico

Certificate of title must be presented for title transfer. No alterations or erasers will be allowed. If a change has been made (correction, etc.), an Affidavit of Correction will be required to be filled out by the seller, no exceptions. All assignments must be sequential and in order by assignment by owners/dealers. A dealers invoice is required at all times when registering a vehicle sold by a dealer. Proof of address for the registration and title is required (see documents required in the Drivers License Section) on all transfers made on vehicles.

• Class A - Tractor Trailer (semi) Combination over 26,001 lbs/Trailer in excess 10,000 lbs
• Class B - Single Unit over 26,001 lbs, Trailers less than 10,000 lbs, and buses over 26,001
• Class C - Vehicle Transporting Hazardous Materials, Trailer less than 10,000 lbs or Transportation of 16 or more passengers (mini buses)

• your certificate of title;
• your current certificate of registration from another state;
• your odometer statement;
• proof of your New Mexico residential address (see documents required in the Drivers License Section),
• vehicle ID inspection certificate signed by a full-time law enforcement officer if you cannot drive the vehicle to Rapid MVD. If you can drive the vehicle legally to Rapid MVD, an employee will perform the vehicle ID inspection.
• proof of insurance including policy number and insurance carrier name You must have a liability policy (or surety bond or cash deposit) with a minimum of $60,000 in coverage: $25,000 coverage for bodily injury to or death of 1 person, $50,000 coverage for bodily injury to or death of 2 or more persons, and $10,000 for property damage in any one accident.

In addition to the above, residents of the Albuquerque metropolitan area (Bernalillo County and parts of adjacent counties) must provide proof that the vehicle has passed an emissions inspection test. These tests are available throughout the county at certified "Air Care" stations. For more information about emissions testing, contact the Vehicle Pollution Management Division, 1500 Broadway NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102; (505) 247-2273. The above list of required documentation applies to the individual who is titling and registering a vehicle already titled in his or her name in another state.

The registration fee for passenger vehicles is based on the weight and year model of the vehicle. Registration fees range from $20.00 to $46.00 for a one (1) year registration or $39.00 to $91.00 for a two (2) year registration. Registration fees for trucks with a DGVW (Declared Gross Vehicle Weight) of 26,000 pounds or less are also based on the weight and model year of the vehicle. Registration fees range from $26.00 to $130.50 for a one (1) year registration or $52.00 to $261.00 for a two (2) year registration. Permanent registration is available for utility and travel trailers weighing under 6,000 pounds. For further information, please contact your local MVD office.

If your vehicle is out-of-state and an emission test is required for New Mexico registration, you must complete the required "Out of State Waiver " and complete all required MVD documents and submit all documents to Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Vehicle Pollution Management Program. They approve the waiver and forward your registration payment and forms to MVD.You must submit your waiver form prior to the 10th of the month to allow for processing time.