Speed Limit Laws: New Mexico
Rural Interstates
| Cars (MPH) | Trucks (MPH) |
|---|---|
| 75 | 75 |
Urban Interstates
| Cars (MPH) | Trucks (MPH) |
|---|---|
| 75 | 75 |
Other Limited Access Roads
| Cars (MPH) | Trucks (MPH) |
|---|---|
| 65 | 65 |
New Mexico
GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of New Mexico. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.
New Mexico
Bike helmets required?
Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 18.
New Mexico
Motorcycle Helmet Required?
Helmets required for riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
New Mexico
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle
Choice of 4 or 8 years
New Mexico
Provisions for Mature Drivers
75 and over: renewal every year
New Mexico
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs
None
New Mexico
Marijuana Possession and Use
Decriminalized and legal for medical use
New Mexico
Marijuana Impaired Driving
None
New Mexico
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)
75
New Mexico
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)
75
New Mexico
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)
65
New Mexico
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)
65
New Mexico
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)
75
New Mexico
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)
75
New Mexico
Increased penalty for high BAC
.16 (with mandatory jail on all offenses)
New Mexico
Administrative license suspension on first offense
Under 21: 1 year; 21 and over: 6 months
New Mexico
Limited driving privileges during suspension
Immediately with ignition interlock
New Mexico
Ignition Interlocks
Mandatory for all convictions
New Mexico
Open container laws
Yes
New Mexico
Repeat Offender Laws
No
New Mexico
Child Restraint Required
Under 1 yrs in rear-facing seat, in rear seat, if available
1-4 yrs or under 40 lbs in child safety seat
5-6 yrs or under 60 lbs in booster seat
New Mexico
Adult Safety Belt Permissible
7-17 yrs
New Mexico
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
15
New Mexico
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
6
New Mexico
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
50 (10)
New Mexico
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
15 / 6
New Mexico
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
Midnight - 5 a.m.
New Mexico
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
No more than 1 under 21
New Mexico
Full Privilege Minimum Age
16 years, 6 months
New Mexico
Type of Law
Primary
New Mexico
Who is Covered?
18 and over
New Mexico
In What Seat?
All
New Mexico
Hand-Held Ban?
No
New Mexico
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
New Mexico
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers with learner or provisional license. Primary law.
New Mexico
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
New Mexico
Speed Cameras: State Law
Permitted by state law
New Mexico
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted
Specified jurisdictions; mobile enforcement vans not permitted on state and federal roadways
New Mexico
Red Light Cameras: State Law
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
New Mexico
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted
Specified jurisdictions; not permitted on state and federal roadways
Alcohol Impaired Driving Laws: New Mexico
Penalties
| Increased Penalty for High BAC | Administrative License Suspension on First Offense | Limited Driving Privileges During Suspension |
|---|---|---|
| .16 (with mandatory jail on all offenses) |
Under 21: 1 year 21 and over: 6 months |
Immediately with Ignition Interlock |
Ignition Interlocks
Mandatory for all convictions
Child Passenger Safety Laws: New Mexico
Child Restraint Required
Under 1 yrs in rear-facing seat, in rear seat if available
1-4 yrs or under 40 lbs in child safety seat
5-6 yrs or under 60 lbs in booster seat
Adult Safety Belt Permissible
7-17 yrs
Teen and Novice Drivers: New Mexico
An overview of graduated driver's licensing laws and other laws pertaining to teen drivers in New Mexico.
Seat Belt Laws: New Mexico
Type of Law
Primary
Who Is Covered?
18 and over
In What Seat?
All
Distracted Driving Laws: New Mexico
Hand-Held Ban?
No
All Cell Phone Ban?
School Bus Drivers
No
Novice Drivers
Drivers with learner or provisional license. Primary law.
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Speed and Red Light Cameras: New Mexico
Speed Cameras
State Law
Permitted by state law
Where Permitted
Specified jurisdictions; mobile enforcement vans not permitted on state and federal roadways
Red Light Cameras
State Law
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
Where Permitted
Specified jurisdictions; not permitted on state and federal roadways
Work Zone Traffic Laws: New Mexico
Violations Affected
Speeding
Enhanced Penalties
Double original fine
Workers Must Be Present?
No
Signs Must Be Present?
Yes