Summary of New Mexico (NM) MVD Handbook 2026

Driving in New Mexico is a privilege. If you are under the age of 18, you must participate in the Graduated Driver License (GDL) system until you meet the requirements for an unrestricted license.

Instructional Permit

• Must be at least 15 years of age to obtain an instructional permit.
• You must pass the knowledge test and vision test.
• Must be enrolled in an approved driver education course that includes DWI education.
• When driving, a licensed driver 21 years of age or older who has been licensed for at least 3 years must sit in the right front seat.
• You must hold the instructional permit for at least six months.

Right-of-Way Rules

The law says who must yield the right of way; it does not give anyone the right-of-way. You must always yield to pedestrians.

• Intersections without signs: Yield to vehicles coming from the right.
• 4-Way Stop: The vehicle arriving first goes first. If arriving at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first.
• Left Turns: You must yield to oncoming vehicles going straight ahead.
• Emergency Vehicles: Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop for vehicles displaying red or blue flashing lights and sirens.

School Buses

• You must stop for a school bus with its red lights flashing, whether it is on your side, the opposite side, or at an intersection.
• You do not have to stop if the bus is on the opposite side of a roadway separated by a physical barrier or median.

New Mexico Maximum Speed Limits

No-Parking Zones

• Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
• Within 25 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
• Within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign, or yield sign.
• Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.
• More than 18 inches from the curb.

Traffic Signal Colors

• Steady Red / Red Arrow: Stop. You may turn right on red after coming to a full stop if it is safe and no sign prohibits it.
• Flashing Red: Treat exactly like a stop sign. Come to a full stop.
• Flashing Yellow: Slow down and proceed with caution.
• Yellow Arrow: Protection of the green arrow is ending. Prepare to stop.

Pavement Markings

• Solid Yellow Line: Cannot pass. Passing is only permitted on a broken/dashed yellow line.
• Double Solid Yellow: Neither side can pass.
• Shared Center Lane (Solid & Dashed Yellow): Reserved for left turns or U-turns. Not to be used for passing.

Scanning and Looking Ahead

Scanning helps you see problems ahead, vehicles, and people. Look ahead, to the sides, and behind.

• Safer drivers look at least 10 seconds ahead of their vehicle. In the city, 10 seconds is about one block.
• Check your mirrors when changing lanes, slowing down, or driving down a long steep hill.

Blind Spots

• Look over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move to check your blind spots.
• Never rely solely on your mirrors when changing lanes. You must turn your head.

Bicycles and Pedestrians

• White Cane Law: You must take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to blind pedestrians carrying a white cane or using a guide dog.
• Bicycles are treated like vehicles. Leave plenty of room when passing.

Large Trucks and RVs

• Large trucks have large blind spots called No-Zones directly behind them, in front, and on the sides.
• If you cannot see the truck driver in their side mirrors, they cannot see you.
• Never cut in front of a truck immediately after passing; they take up to twice as long to stop.

DWI Laws and Limits

New Mexico has strict limits for Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). You can be arrested for DWI if your BAC is:

• There is no safe amount of alcohol. Your body gets rid of about one alcoholic drink per hour. Coffee or showers do not sober you up faster.
• Prescription and over-the-counter drugs can affect your driving as much as alcohol. It is illegal to drive impaired by any drug.
• Implied Consent: If arrested for DWI, you must take a blood or breath test. Refusal results in license revocation.

If you are in a crash

• You must stop. Moving away from the scene without identifying yourself is a hit-and-run.
• If someone is injured, report the accident and get help immediately.

• In New Mexico, it is illegal to drive without wearing safety belts. All passengers must be restrained.
• Children under 12 years of age must wear appropriate safety restraints while the vehicle is moving.
• Children under 24 months or weighing less than 60 pounds must be secured in an approved safety device in the rear seat.
• Never secure a child in the front passenger side if the vehicle has an airbag.

• Because motorcycles are smaller, they are harder to see. Check your blind spots carefully.
• Make sure you leave at least a minimum four-second following distance when tracing behind a motorcycle.
• Motorcycles have the right to a full traffic lane. Do not share a lane with a motorcycle.