New Mexico

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of New Mexico. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

  • Alcohol Impaired Driving

    Penalties

    Increased Penalty for High BAC

    Administrative License Suspension on First Offense

    Limited Driving Privileges During Suspension

    .16 (with mandatory jail on all offenses)

    Under 21: 1 year

    21 and over: 6 months

    Immediately with Ignition Interlock

    Ignition Interlocks

    Mandatory for all convictions

    Other

    Open Container Laws

    Repeat Offender Laws

    Yes

    Yes

     

  • Bicyclists and Pedestrians

    Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 18.

  • Child Passenger Safety

    Child Restraint Required

    Under 1 yrs in rear-facing seat, in rear seat if available

    1-4 yrs or under 40 lbs in child safety seat

    5-6 yrs or under 60 lbs in booster seat

    Adult Safety Belt Permissible

    7-17 yrs

  • Distracted Driving

    Hand-Held Ban?

    No

    All Cell Phone Ban?

    School Bus Drivers

    No

    Novice Drivers

    Drivers with learner or provisional license. Primary law.

    Text Messaging Ban?

    All drivers. Primary law.

  • Drug Impaired Driving

    DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

    • None

    Marijuana-Specific Laws

    • Possession and Use: Decriminalized and legal for medical use
    • Impaired Driving: None
  • Mature Drivers

    Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

    Choice of 4 or 8 years

    Provisions for Mature Drivers

    75 and over: renewal every year

  • Motorcyclists

    Helmets required for riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.

  • Seat Belts

    Type of Law

    Primary

    Who Is Covered?

    18 and over

    In What Seat?

    All

  • Speed and Red Light Cameras

    Speed Cameras

    State Law

    Permitted by state law

    Where Permitted

    Specified jurisdictions; mobile enforcement vans not permitted on state and federal roadways

    Red Light Cameras

    State Law

    Permitted by state law and city ordinance

    Where Permitted

    Specified jurisdictions; not permitted on state and federal roadways

  • Speeding and Aggressive Driving

    Rural Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    75 75

    Urban Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    75 75

    Other Limited Access Roads

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    65 65
  • Teen and Novice Drivers

    Full Privilege Minimum Age

    16 years, 6 months

    Learner Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    Minimum Duration (Months)

    Required Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours)
    15 6 50 (10)

    Intermediate Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    		 Nighttime Driving Restriction

    Passenger Restriction (except family, unless noted)
    15 / 6 Midnight - 5 a.m. No more than 1 under 21