New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 18 - TRANSPORTATION AND HIGHWAYS
Chapter 19 - MOTOR VEHICLE PROCEDURES, LICENSES, PERMITS
Part 5 - DRIVER'S LICENSE
Section 18.19.5.70 - LIMITED DRIVER'S LICENSE - PURPOSE - CRITERIA

Universal Citation: 18 NM Admin Code 18.19.5.70

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024

A. The director of the motor vehicle division may grant a limited driver's license so that an individual whose driving privileges have been suspended or revoked may obtain or continue to hold employment or to attend school, except in the instances specifically enumerated in Subsection A of Section 66-5-35 NMSA 1978.

B. A limited driver's license is the granting of a privilege to operate a motor vehicle upon the highways of this state but only during certain hours of the day. Unless evidence demonstrates that the limitation is unreasonable for a particular applicant, the general privilege is limited to days in which the applicant works or attends school. Each day the applicant works or attends school, the applicant's driving is limited to a period starting one hour before the applicant's time of beginning work or attending school and terminating one hour after the applicant's time of ending work or attending school. Limited licenses will not be issued for commercial driver's licenses. Limited licenses are available only for class D, E and M licenses.

C. With respect to driver's licenses suspended or revoked on or after July 1, 1999, all of the following criteria must be met by an applicant for a limited license.

(1) The suspension or revocation of the applicant's general driver's license must not have been a result of:
(a) a revocation for the fourth or subsequent time pursuant to Subsection C of Section 66-8-111 NMSA 1978 or any revocation pursuant to Subsection B of Section 66-8-111 NMSA 1978;

(b) a conviction for committing great bodily harm by vehicle or great bodily injury by vehicle;

(c) a court order resulting from a finding of delinquency, pursuant to the Children's Code;

(d) a failure to appear in court or to pay a penalty assessment; or

(e) non-payment of a judgment or default in payment under a settlement agreement resulting from a motor vehicle accident.

(2) The applicant must be self-employed, gainfully employed by another or enrolled in school.
(a) If the applicant is or will be employed by another person, that current or prospective employer must certify in writing the applicant's employment and the certification must include:
(i) a description of the days and hours during which the applicant is working or will work each week;

(ii) a brief description of the applicant's work duties;

(iii) the specific duties of the applicant which require the operation of a motor vehicle on the job; and

(iv) a brief explanation of how, if at all, the lack of a driver's license would adversely affect the applicant's ability to hold or secure gainful employment with the employer.

(b) If self-employed, the applicant must certify in writing the self-employment and the certification must include:
(i) a description of the days and hours during which the applicant works each week;

(ii) a brief description of the applicant's business or professional activity;

(iii) the number, if any, of the applicant's employees; and

(iv) a brief explanation of why the employees, if any, could not perform all of the motor vehicle operations required by the applicant's business or professional activity.

(c) For the purposes of 18.19.5.70 NMAC, "school" includes any school, institute, college or university, whether public or private, offering courses of instruction to the public. If the applicant is attending school, the school must certify in writing the applicant's attendance and the certification must include:
(i) a description of the days and hours the applicant is required to attend;

(ii) a brief description of the program or course(s) the applicant is taking, the expected date of completion and whether the applicant is meeting program requirements; and

(iii) a brief explanation of how, if at all, the lack of a driver's license would adversely affect the applicant's ability to complete the course of instruction.

(3) The applicant must meet the requirements of the Mandatory Financial Responsibility Act. If the applicant meets the requirements through automobile insurance, the automobile insurance policy must identify the applicant as the insured and must be maintained for the term of any limited driver's license or permit granted.

(4) The applicant must take and pass any examination required for the class of license applied for.

(5) The applicant must agree to notify the motor vehicle division of any change in the applicant's circumstances affecting the limited license, including change in employment or enrollment, change in employment or enrollment status, a failure to meet the requirements of the Mandatory Financial Responsibility Act or any other circumstance required by the director. In addition, an applicant who is required to have an ignition interlock on each vehicle the applicant drives must also agree to inform the motor vehicle division whenever the applicant is permitted to drive additional vehicles.

(6) The applicant pays any required fee for the limited license.

(7) Applicants whose driver's license was revoked for a first, second or third time pursuant to Subsection C of Section 66-8-111 NMSA 1978 of the Implied Consent Act or was revoked as a result of a second or third conviction for driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs may not be granted a limited license until at least thirty days after the date of revocation. Such applicants must furnish documentation of:
(a) enrollment in an approved DWI school: proof that the applicant enrolled in an approved DWI school subsequent to the applicant's latest conviction for violation of the Implied Consent Act and completed the course prior to application for a limited license meets this requirement; and

(b) enrollment in an approved alcohol screening program: proof that the applicant enrolled in an alcohol screening program subsequent to the applicant's latest conviction for violation of the Implied Consent Act and completed the program prior to application for a limited license meets this requirement.

(8) An applicant whose driver's license was revoked pursuant to Paragraph (3) of Subsection C of Section 66-8-111 NMSA 1978 of the Implied Consent Act shall provide proof that an ignition interlock is installed and operated according to the rules of the traffic safety bureau on every vehicle the applicant is to operate. The applicant must provide a list of vehicles to be operated by the applicant and proof that an approved and functioning ignition interlock is installed on each listed vehicle.

(9) An applicant whose driver's license was revoked as a result of a second or third conviction of driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs shall provide a copy of his judgment and sentence, which must attest that the applicant shall provide proof that each motor vehicle to be operated by the applicant is equipped with an ignition interlock of a type approved by the traffic safety bureau, and shall provide proof that an ignition interlock is installed and operated according to the rules of the traffic safety bureau on every vehicle the applicant is to operate. The applicant must provide a list of vehicles to be operated by the applicant and proof that an approved and functioning ignition interlock is installed on each listed vehicle.

D. Failure at any time during the period for which the limited license is granted to meet a requirement specified in 18.19.5.72 NMAC that is to be met during the entire period for which the limited license is granted is cause for revocation of the limited license.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Mexico may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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