Get a Drivers License in New Mexico

A) Ensure You’re Eligible to Apply for a Driver’s License

Teens 18 and Older

You must complete the None for the Road self-study DWI awareness class before you can apply for your new Mexico driver’s license. You also must pass vision, written and road tests and submit the required documents and fees listed below.

Teens Younger than 18

To graduate your instructional permit to a provisional license, you must be at least 15 ½ years old. Teens will also need a parent or guardian to complete and sign your provisional license application with you and verify that you:

• Have successfully completed Stage 1 of Graduated Driver Licensing

• Have held your instructional permit for at least six months

• Have only been practicing with an adult who is at least 21 years old and has been licensed for at least three years

• Haven’t been convicted of a traffic violation in the 90-day period preceding your application

• Have not been drinking and driving

B) Make a Road Test Appointment at the NM MVD

Schedule your road test appointment online when you are prepared to take your road skills exam and apply for a provisional or full New Mexico driver’s license. You’ll need your Social Security number to book your test date.

If you already have taken your road skills exam with a contracted Driver Education School, you won’t need to test again at the MVD field office. However, you will need to provide the Certificate of Completion with your test scores.

C) Gather Required Documents and New Mexico License Fees

When applying for your driver’s license, be prepared to submit the following to the state:

• Certificate of Completion from a state-approved driver education school that includes the three-hour DWI component (if younger than 18)

• GDL driving log signed by your parent or guardian (if younger than 18); this should show that you completed 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including ten nighttime hours

• One proof of identification number

• One proof of identity; you must show your date of birth with at least one of the proof of identity or identification number documents

• Two proofs of New Mexico residency

• Proper license fee

• Current registration and proof of liability insurance for your road test vehicle*

*You must provide a road test vehicle driven to the testing site by a licensed driver; if you are younger than 18, bring your parent or guardian. Before your road test begins, an examiner will ensure it is in safe working condition.

D) Take the Road Test

With your required documents and fees in hand, head to the New Mexico MVD field office to take any required tests and apply for an unrestricted drivers license. Once you pass, you’ll receive a temporary license while the state processes and mails your regular license.

E) Get Your New Mexico Driver's License

Provisional License

If you are younger than 18, you’ll receive a provisional driver license, advancing you to Stage 3 of the GDL process.

Your new provisional license comes with a few restrictions:

• You may not have more than one passenger in your vehicle who is younger than 21 years old; this restriction doesn’t apply if your passenger is a member of your immediate family or if you’re also accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21

• You may not drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless you are accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old; this restriction doesn’t apply if you are driving to or from school, employment, family and medical need or religious functions (in these cases you must carry a statement from the appropriate school, religious official, employer, doctor or parent/guardian)

You can advance to Stage 3 and get a full-unrestricted license once you and your parent or guardian can verify that you have:

• Completed Stage 2 and have held a provisional license for the 12-month period immediately preceding your driver license application date

• NOT been convicted of a traffic violation 90 days prior to applying for a driver license

• NO pending traffic violations when you apply for a driver license

• NOT been adjudicated guilty or have a pending offense that involves alcohol or drug use during the provisional period

All you have to do is head to an MVD field office with your parent or guardian and complete and sign your driver license application. By doing so, both of you are attesting that you have met the above conditions.

Unrestricted Driver License

For applicants 18 and older, you’ll receive a temporary license while the state processes and mails your new unrestricted drivers license. Your full license will expire either in four or eight years depending on which duration you paid for.

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