Search New Mexico Public Driving Records

New Mexico Public Driving Records

The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) is the government agency responsible for driving records. It acts like a DMV in other states. They provide them to individuals who want a copy of their own and companies and government agencies who need to run a background check or need the information for other purposes on a subject other than themselves.

The New Mexico MVD takes driver privacy very seriously, and therefore anyone wanting records must comply with strict Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) laws. They provide an online portal for individuals to get a 3-year copy (certified or non-certified) and a different tool for businesses and government agencies who need bulk reports.

These records contain personally identifiable information (PII) that may include the driver's name, address, social security number, date of birth, physical description, driver's license number, and even medical information for CDL license holders. The records also show accident history, traffic violations, license status, revocations, suspensions, and points.

How to Request a State Driving History Report

The state of New Mexico has an online portal specifically for New Mexico drivers who want a copy of their own report. However, users can only get a report that goes back three years.

The NM MVD explains that when ordering online, the user will need:

• A credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) to pay the driving record fee
• Your date of birth and the last 4 digits of your social security number
• Your driver's license number: This 9-digit number can be found at the top of your license

Drivers can choose a certified copy or non-certified. Insurance companies and employers often require certified copies.

The state has set up another portal for businesses and government agencies where they can pay an annual subscription fee and set up, up to 10 users in the system. For companies that need more than 10 users, they can purchase additional licenses. 

Companies who access the system are allowed to view:

• Driver History Records (Point-to-Point and Interactive )
• Driver Monitoring (Point-to-Point and Interactive)
• Vehicle, Lien, and Registration Records Search (Point-to-Point and Interactive)
• Vehicle Registration Suite ( Interactive)

To sign up, the entity must download the proper form. They have different ones for companies versus government agencies. Then mail the application in with payment to the MVD office located at:

Motor Vehicle Records Cost

Businesses and government entities can sign up for $75/year for 10 users. Each 10-user subscription costs $75. Insurance providers may use these reports to set insurance rates.

Individuals can purchase a non-certified 3-year report for $6.63 and a certified copy for $9.99. The certified copy includes a letter of certification with an official stamp from the New Mexico MVD.

Driving Laws in the State

An NM resident must be at least 15 years old to apply for an instructional driving permit to begin learning to drive. They must be enrolled in or have completed a driver education course approved by the Traffic Safety Bureau. The class must include a DWI prevention and education component. They can only drive with a licensed driver (21 or older) and hold this permit for at least six months before applying for their New Mexico driver's license at age 16.

The requirements for this permit are:

• 1 Proof of identification number, identity, and New Mexico residency
• 2 Specific document requirements vary depending on whether the applicant will ultimately apply for a REAL ID driver's license or a driving authorization card (DAC)
• 3 Proof that the applicant is enrolled in or has completed an approved Driver Education Program
• 4 Must have a Driver Education Referral Card or Certificate of Completion
• 5 Proof of financial responsibility
• 6 Vision test
• 7 Written test or Certificate of Completion from an MVD-contracted driver education school

Once the person turns 15 & 1/2, they are allowed to apply for their provisional license.

The requirements for a provisional license are:

• 1 held an instruction permit for at least six months
• 2 provided that thirty days shall be added to the six months for each adjudication or conviction of a traffic violation committed during the time the person was driving with an instruction permit
• 3 not been cited for a traffic violation that is pending at the time of application
• 4 successfully completed a practice driving component
• 5 including not less than 50 hours of actual driving by the applicant, including not less than 10 hours of night driving
• 6 passed a road skills exam or taken a road skills exam with an MVD-contracted Driver Education School

After that, the driver can apply for their regular license by complying with the following list of requirements:

• 1 had a provisional license for at least the 12-month period immediately preceding the date of the application for the driver's license or driving authorization card; provided that 30 days shall be added to the 12-month period for each adjudication or conviction of a traffic violation committed during the time the person was driving with a provisional license
• 2 complied with any restrictions on that license
• 3 not been convicted of a traffic violation 90 days preceding application for a full license
• 4 not had any traffic violations pending at the time of application for a driver license
• 5 not been found guilty or have an offense pending involving the use of alcohol or drugs during the provisional period

Some other driving laws in the state, according to AAA for New Mexico, are:

• DISTRACTED DRIVING
  Texting while driving is prohibited. Instruction and provisional license holders are banned from using any wireless devices while driving. Drivers are prohibited from using hand-held cell phones in some cities.
• HEADSETS
  The state does not prohibit wearing headsets while driving.
• IMPAIRED DRIVING
  New Mexico requires the use of ignition interlocks for all impaired driving offenders.
• MOVE OVER LAW
  State law requires drivers approaching a stationary emergency vehicle or a recovery or repair vehicle, including tow trucks, to slow down and vacate the lane next to the stopped vehicle if they are able. If drivers are not able to move over, they are required to slow down and be prepared to stop.
• SEAT BELTS
  Seat belts are required for the driver and all passengers age 18 and older. Violation of the seat belt is a standard offense. Riding in the cargo area of a pickup truck is not permitted for persons under age 18.
• CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY
  
  • Children under 18 must be properly restrained in a child restraint device or a seat belt
  • Children ages 5 and 6 or less than 60 lbs. must be restrained in a booster seat or appropriate child safety seat
  • Children ages 1 through 4 or weighing less than 40 lbs. must be properly secured in a child passenger restraint device
  • Children under 1 year old must be placed in a rear-facing child safety seat in the rear seat if it is available

  Violations of the child restraint law are standard offenses.

• RAILROAD CROSSING
  Drivers must stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail when signaled to do so or an approaching train is plainly visible and in hazardous proximity to a crossing.
  Vehicles for hire carrying passengers or vehicles carrying hazardous material must stop at all crossings.
• SCHOOL BUSES
  A driver, upon approaching or overtaking a stopped school bus from any direction that is receiving or discharging any school children, must stop at least 10 feet before reaching the school bus and may not proceed until the special signals are turned off, or the bus resumes motion.

Different Types of Driving Reports in the State

The state has two different types of reports. The one issued to individuals is a 3-year report, and the one issued to businesses and government agencies is a complete driving history. The MVD can supply them in either a certified or non-certified version.

Individual 3-Year Report (certified or non-certified)

The individual report will have personal information such as name, address, phone number, social security number, driver's license number, and physical description. It will also show accident history, moving violations, license status and class, license revocations, suspensions, and points. The report will only go back three years. The user may request it in certified or non-certified versions.

Complete Driving History (certified or non-certified)

The complete driving history report will have personal information such as name, address, phone number, social security number, driver's license number, and physical description. It will also show accident history, moving violations, license status and class, license revocations, suspensions, and points. The report will be a complete report going back to when the driver first received a license. The user may request it in certified or non-certified versions.

Criminal Driving Offenses

Criminal driving offenses in the state are very serious and may result in hefty fines, a license suspension, jail or prison time, and other penalties. Some examples of criminal driving offense in the state are:

Commercial drivers may face even harsher penalties.

Civil Driving Offenses

On the other hand, civil driving offenses are much less serious and usually result in the officer giving the driver a warning or a ticket which they must pay. Some examples of civil driving offenses are:

State Department of Motor Vehicles Driving Records Statistics

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (DOT) compiles and analyzes crash data so they can create programs to improve roadway and highway safety and save lives. Some interesting crash statistics from their latest report (2019) are:

Top Contributing Factors to Crashes

Top Contributing Factors to Fatalities:

On Average in NW in 2019:

Driver License Record Search Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions about state driving records.

Helpful State Driving Record Links

Below are some helpful state driving record links.

• Online Driver History Records
• Record Request Services
• New Mexico MVD
• NM Driver Manual
• NM Crash Data 2019
• NM DOT
• New Mexico Public Records
• New Mexico Arrest Records
• New Mexico Court Records
• New Mexico Plate Lookup
• New Mexico Inmate Search
• New Mexico Vital Records