Updated on July 10,2021
Home to close to 1.5 million licensed drivers, New Mexico was recently ranked #1 for distracted driving in 2021. The residents of the Land of Enchantment were found to spend about 8% of their time in the car, using their smartphones. 41% of these drivers admit to reading texts while driving, and 32% admit to typing texts while driving.
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The epidemic of distracted driving causes about 61.6 deaths per million residents in New Mexico. That’s a lot considering New Mexico is on the lower end of state populations with only 2.1 million residents. Don’t be a part of the problem, put your phone away while driving! Continue reading for driving in New Mexico information.
New Mexico Driver’s License Renewal Guide
How to Renew a New Mexico Driver’s License
What do I need and how do I renew my New Mexico driver’s license? Good questions.
Getting a New Mexico driver’s license renewed is fairly easy as the state allows you renew for a period of either four or eight years with the options of renewing online, in person, or by mail.
People who are 79 years old or older must get their license renewed every year.
Renewing an Expired Driver’s License
When does your driver’s license expire in New Mexico?
You may renew your license up to 90 days before the expiration date, which is always on your birthday.
There is a grace period of 30 days though, after this, you are considered a non-licensed driver.
You may renew your license for up to five years after the expiration date otherwise you will be required to retake the behind-the-wheel and written driver’s license exams in order to renew your license or obtain a new one.
Online Driver’s License Renewal
In order to renew online, you must not have renewed online last time. You must also be between the ages of 18 and 75 and have a non-commercial license.
Commercial license renewals must be done in person at the nearest New Mexico DMV location.
If you need to make any changes, such as name or address, you will have to renew in person. If you have any outstanding traffic tickets or arrest warrants you will not be able to renew.
To complete the online license renewal process you will need your driver’s license number, your social security number, and payment for the renewal.
Once completed, you may print a temporary license which is valid for 45 days and can be used until your physical copy is received in the mail.
You may also sign up as an organ donor and register to vote when you are renewing your New Mexico driver’s license online.
Renewing Your Driver’s License In Person
When you apply in person you will have to take and pass a vision exam, which is the main reason you can only renew your license online every other renewal period.
First-time driver’s license applicants must provide proof of identity and citizenship. There must also be proof of New Mexico residency.
Once you have provided these verifications and your information is in the system, you do not have to provide it again when you are getting a New Mexico driver’s license renewal. To prove residency you may show a utility bill, a bank statement, or even regular mail with your name and address on the envelope.
License Renewal for Non-US Citizens
If you are not a legal citizen and are looking to renew your driver’s license in the state of New Mexico, you will be required to provide additional information. You must satisfy the other requirements in addition to proving permanent residency or occupational status with a work permit.
In this situation, you may not register online. There is a provision for a “non-compliant card” which can suffice as an identification card for people who cannot prove their citizenship. Pursuing this option will require you to be fingerprinted at a New Mexico DMV field office.
Your documentation does not have to be in English and, if it is translated, only the sections containing required information must be translated.
Military Driver’s License Renewal
People who are in the military and stationed in another state may get an exemption. Their license will not expire as long as they remain on active duty regardless of the expiration date. Such people have 60 days after they are discharged to get a New Mexico license renewal.
First-time applicants must take a road test, a written test, and an eye test. Also if you are under the age of 25 you must show you have taken a DWI awareness class.
Scheduling a DMV Appointment to Renew Your License
Scheduling an appointment to renew your driver’s license is an option in New Mexico, though it is not required. Should you have any further questions regarding how to renew your New Mexico driver’s license, it is recommended to contact the NM DMV location nearest to you.