New Mexico Driving Records

A New Mexico driving record serves as a motorist's official road biography, logging every ticket, accident, suspension, and license action. This driving history report acts as a critical reference point for any situation where your driving reputation matters.

A driver report aids in correctly gauging risk, setting fair insurance premiums, determining job suitability, and addressing regulatory requirements. While federal guidelines typically provide oversight, every state independently collects, stores, and regulates driving records based on its own legal and administrative codes.

What Is a New Mexico Driving Record?

A New Mexico driving record, often called a motor vehicle record (MVR), is an official chronicle maintained by the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (NM MVD) that captures a motorist's entire journey behind the wheel.

It documents license status, traffic violations, accidents, suspensions, and point accumulations, offering a comprehensive reflection of a driver's legal standing, responsibility, and behavior on the state's roadways.

What Is The Difference Between Official MVRs and Public Driving Records

Official MVRs issued by the NM MVD are authenticated and admissible as evidence in court proceedings or official investigations.

In contrast, public driving records obtained from third-party commercial data providers lack official authentication, which may limit their admissibility in court or reduce their weight in official proceedings.

However, third-party providers, like RecordsFinder, often aggregate driving records with other relevant data, such as credit scores, bankruptcies, and liens. This comprehensive approach may provide individuals with a complete understanding of a driver's history, including potential correlations between their driving record and financial or legal issues.

Why Would You Need a Driving Record?

Here are some reasons why you might need your New Mexico driving record:

• License Status Monitoring: If you are facing potential license suspension or revocation in New Mexico, your driving record generally provide a summary of your accumulated points and offenses, which is critical for understanding your current standing.
• Employment Requirement: Many businesses and nonprofits in New Mexico, like the New Mexico BioPark Society, require a clean driving record for their open driving-related roles.
• Lower Insurance Costs: You may use your driving history to demonstrate to insurers that you are a responsible and safe driver. This may help you avoid the 52% increase in average monthly premiums often charged to New Mexico drivers with accident histories.
• Traffic Violation Disputes: A driving report may be a valuable asset in your defense when you are contesting a traffic violation in New Mexico. It aids in demonstrating a history of responsible driving, which may influence the court's decision to reduce fines or penalties.

What Information Is Included in a Driver Report?

A New Mexico driver report may show the following information:

• Personal driver information (name, date of birth, address)
• License details (class, number, expiration date)
• Current license status
• Driver's license suspensions, revocations, or cancellations
• Traffic violations and convictions
• Accidents
• License points accumulated
• Endorsements and restrictions for a commercial driver's license (if applicable)

Types of Driver Records Available in New Mexico

Below are several forms of state-issued driver records in New Mexico:

• Standard Driver Report: This is the most commonly requested type of driving record in New Mexico. It typically includes a detailed history of violations and convictions over the past three years.
• Certified Driving History: A certified driving record is an official document with a raised NM MVD seal, typically required for legal proceedings or employer verifications. It typically provides a complete driving history beyond three years and detailed accident information.
• Limited Driving Report: Insurers often require this record to assess eligibility and determine policy rates. It generally provides details on current license suspensions or revocations, along with violations and convictions from the past three years.
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Report: This record is essential for ensuring commercial drivers and their employers comply with federal and state regulations.

Traffic Violations and Tickets in New Mexico

The NM MVD collaborates with the New Mexico State Police (NMSP), local law enforcement agencies, and courts to enforce and uphold the rules of the road outlined in the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Code. Traffic offenders face penalties that vary depending on the specific laws and regulations they have violated.

Common Types of Traffic Violations

Traffic violations in New Mexico are either moving or non-moving. Moving violations occur while the vehicle is in motion, like speeding or running a red light. In contrast, non-moving violations typically involve stationary vehicles or equipment issues, such as illegal parking or expired registration.

Some non-moving violations, like seat belt infractions or distracted driving, happen in moving vehicles but are not reported to the NM MVD and do not affect driving records. Moving violations, however, may result in points, fines, or even license suspension, depending on the severity.

Moving Violations

• Speeding: In New Mexico, a speeding ticket may be issued for exceeding the "absolute speed limit" (75 mph on highways, 35 mph in residential areas, 15 mph in school zones) or violating the "basic speeding law" (driving too fast for conditions). Fines range from $25 to $200, and 3 to 8 points may be added to your record. Penalties increase in construction zones.
• DUI (Driving Under the Influence): As per New Mexico Statutes Annotated (NMSA) Section 66-8-102, if you are caught driving with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .08% or higher (.04% for commercial drivers), you face severe penalties. A first offense may result in up to 90 days in jail, fines up to $500, and community service. Subsequent offenses involve longer jail time, higher fines, and mandatory treatment. A fourth offense is a felony, with 6-18 months in prison.

Non-Moving Violations

• Driving Without a License: You may be charged with a misdemeanor if you drive without carrying your license. Penalties may include a fine of up to $300 and a jail sentence of up to 90 days.
• Faulty Equipment: Faulty equipment violations under NMSA Section 66-3-901 generally include defective tail lamps, broken brakes, or malfunctioning lights. These pieces of equipment must be in good working order per state regulations.

What to Do When You Get a Traffic Ticket

If you receive a speeding ticket or any citation for a traffic offense, you must respond within 15 days of the issuance date. Here's how to respond to a traffic citation in New Mexico:

• Settle the Fine: If you are considering how to pay a traffic ticket in New Mexico, you have several options. You may pay the fine to the district, municipal, or magistrate court by mail, in person, or by phone. Alternatively, you may use the Pay a Ticket/Citation portal through MyMVD Online Services.
• Challenge the Citation: New Mexico allows drivers to contest a citation if it was issued in error or if they may prove their innocence. For major violations, offenders must appear in court for an arraignment hearing. However, some courts, like the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, allow phone arraignments to discuss case options and potentially negotiate a plea agreement.
• Pursue Mitigation or Dismissal: If you want to reduce or dismiss your traffic ticket in New Mexico, visit the courthouse listed on the ticket and speak to a judge. You may qualify for community service or a payment plan if you cannot pay. Tickets may be dismissed if you are found not guilty or complete the necessary conditions, like community service.

Regularly check your driving record to ensure it correctly reflects the actions you have taken and their respective outcomes or decisions.

If you are having trouble finding your traffic ticket, contact the court in the jurisdiction where the alleged violation occurred. They may provide procedures and requirements (such as traffic ticket number or court docket number) for recovering lost tickets.

How Does the New Mexico Point System Work?

New Mexico uses a point system to monitor traffic violations, with points assigned according to the seriousness of the offense. For example, major violations like speeding more than 26 mph over the limit result in eight points, while reckless driving, racing, and passing a stopped school bus each add six points.

Offenses like speeding 16 to 25 mph over the limit carry five points, and failing to yield to emergency vehicles adds four points. Less severe violations, such as improper turns and careless driving, earn three points, while infractions like seatbelt or equipment issues result in two points.

If you accumulate six points within 12 months, you'll get a warning letter. Accumulating between seven and 12 points may lead to a license suspension of up to three months, as ordered by a judge and enforced by the NM MVD. Reaching 12 points results in a mandatory 12-month suspension, though you may appeal the decision.

How Long Do Violations Stay on Your Driving History?

Most violations in New Mexico remain for three years, while those involving injuries or property damage may stay for up to five years, starting when the case is closed. Serious offenses like reckless driving or DUI-related accidents may remain on the record even longer.

Can You Remove Violations from Your Record?

New Mexico's Criminal Record Expungement Act (CREA) enables individuals convicted of municipal ordinances, misdemeanors, or felonies to petition for expungement of driving records associated with such convictions after completing their sentence.

To be eligible, they must wait two years after completing their sentence without any new convictions. After this period, they may request a hearing for expungement, but only if they meet certain conditions, such as paying victim restitution and having no pending charges.

How To Check Your Vehicle History

These are the various ways to get a motor vehicle driving history in New Mexico:

• Web-based Access: The NM MVD's Online Driver History Records Service enables motorists to access their New Mexico driving history through the web by providing their driver's license identifier, the last four digits of their Social Security Number, and other basic details.
• Facsimile and Telephonic Requests: You may also obtain your driver report by faxing a completed Confidential Records Release Form (MVD-11260) to (505) 827-2792. Alternatively, if you have internet issues or prefer a verbal request, you may call the NM MVD at (888) 683-4636
• On-Site Driving Record Lookup: Another way to obtain a copy of your driver record is by visiting any local NM MVD office with a completed MVD-11260 form.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Driving Record in New Mexico?

To obtain a driving record in New Mexico, you'll pay $9.99 for a certified copy and $6.63 for an uncertified one. If you request it online, payment is required via credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express), while fax, phone, or in-person requests accept checks or money orders.

Online requests are processed immediately, usually within minutes or a few hours. Mail or fax requests, however, may take longer depending on the type of record and the volume of requests.

How To Check Your Driving History for Free

You may review paper records of your previous traffic cases at no cost by going to the court clerk's office where the case was filed. Note that fees may apply when requesting copies of traffic case records.

What Happens If You Have a Bad Driving Record?

In New Mexico, a bad driving record results from accumulating too many points on your license or committing serious violations, which may lead to license suspension or revocation.

Felony traffic offenses are the most severe violations and often involve serious or potential harm to others. These offenses carry penalties ranging from 18 months to life imprisonment, fines between $5,000 and $17,500, and loss of driving privileges and civil rights.

Meanwhile, misdemeanor traffic offenses (such as driving without a license or insurance) are less severe than felonies but may still lead to imprisonment, typically no more than one year in county jail.

Minor infractions, such as driving without a seatbelt or parking tickets, are considered petty offenses. They are often punishable only by fines or suspensions and do not add points to one's driving record. Note that warnings issued by law enforcement are not recorded on your driving history because they do not involve formal charges, fines, or violations.

How Does a Bad Driving Record Affect Insurance and Employment?

A New Mexico driving record generally provides national and local insurance providers with insights into an individual's past driving behavior. Drivers with a poor driving history typically face insurance rate hikes, as they are more prone to aggressive driving behaviors.

For instance, a driver with a clean driving record in New Mexico pays an average annual premium of $2,200 for full coverage. However, if you have a DUI conviction on your record, you pay 78% more than this rate, which is around $3,925.

A clean driving record is also necessary if you are applying for or working on jobs that require safe driving habits, like those related to field services, heavy equipment operation, or school bus driving.

In New Mexico, the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) requires employees using district-owned or personal vehicles for district business to submit a copy of their driving records to their supervisors. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary actions or discharges.

Who Can Access Your New Mexico Driving History?

New Mexico adheres to the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and state-specific laws, including NMSA Section 66-2-7.1 and the New Mexico Driver's Privacy Protection Agreement (NMDPPA).

These regulations safeguard personal information contained in driving history reports, such as name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number. As a result, when an individual or organization requests driving records, they are subject to restrictions.

Authorized entities, including government agencies, courts, insurance companies, businesses, private investigators, and researchers, may only access and use your record and personal details for specific, lawfully permitted purposes.

FAQs About New Mexico Driving Records

Explore these common questions for a deeper understanding of New Mexico driving records.

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