Graduated Driver's License Information

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Learner’s Permit – Stage #1

Eligible at age 15

Minimum time – Six Months 

  • Must be enrolled in or have completed a state approved Driver Education Program to receive a  learner's permit. Teenagers may enroll at a public junior high or high school At age 14 ½  or may enroll at a private commercial driving school at age 15.   

  • Parental consent necessary to obtain permit. 

  • Must pass knowledge and vision test.

  • Must hold learner’s permit for a minimum of six months.

  • May drive only with a licensed driver who has held a license for a minimum of three years and who is at least 21 years of age.

  • Must complete 50 hours of supervised driving with a licensed driver who has held a license for a minimum of three years and who is at least 21 years of age.  At least 10 of the 50 hours must be nighttime driving.  Any driving time done through a state approved driver education course counts towards the mandatory 50 hours. The supervised driving hours with an adult must be logged on the state provided form and turned in to New Mexico Motor Vehicles Division.  Get the form.  

  • Get the State approved Driving Log, fill it out, keep it in a safe place.

  • Must remain conviction free for 90 days prior to applying to graduate to stage #2.  Convictions that, in addition to normal penalties, prolong[1] stage #1 are:

 

 

  • Failure to obey traffic-control device

  • Failure to obey traffic-control signal

  • Speeding

  • Homicide by vehicle

  • Injury to a pregnant women by a vehicle

  • DWI or Drugs  

  • Refusal to submit to a chemical test

  • Implied Consent violation

  • Reckless driving

  • Careless driving

  • Racing on highways

  • Failure to yield  

All other traffic convictions carry the normal penalties.

[1] Only a conviction of one or more of the following will prolong the advancement of stages;  failure to obey traffic-control devices or signals (66-7-104 & 66-7-105), speeding (66-7-301), homicide by a vehicle (66-8-101), injury to a pregnant woman by a vehicle (66-8-101.1), DWI (66-8-102), refusal to submit to a chemical test (66-8-111), reckless  or careless driving (66-8-113 & 66-8-114), racing on highways (66-8-115), and failure to yield (66-7-332.1). 

  Commonly Asked Questions And Answers

  Compare the new GDL law to the Old Law

  Teen Statistics for New Mexico

  State Approved Driving Log       

  State Driving Manual  

 

 

Traffic Safety Bureau Certified Driver Education Programs  

 

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