The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division the place to go if you want to take care of any driving- or vehicle-related tasks. More commonly known as the MVD, it’s the entity that will take care of all driving services, including licensing and vehicle registration. With the sheer amount of services it offers, a trip to the New Mexico MVD can be an overwhelming experience, but a little research and reading can make that excursion run a lot smoother and easier.
Find Your Local New Mexico MVD Office
The first step to your NM MVD trip is to locate your nearest MVD office. You can do this easily via their official website. Their list of locations helpfully details important information such as address, contact information, hours, and in some cases, wait times. It’s a good idea to consult this map before heading to any office, in case any locations are experiencing unforeseen circumstances that can affect wait times, services offered, or office hours.
Scheduling Appointments at the New Mexico MVD
If you are looking to take a road test or apply for a New Mexico drivers license for the first time, you can save time by scheduling an appointment ahead of time at a field office location. All other services are unfortunately handled on a first-come, first-serve basis. That doesn’t mean you have to spend an entire day waiting at the NM MVD, however. The New Mexico MVD offers many of its services online, which can shorten or even eliminate a trip to an MVD office.
Forms of the New Mexico MVD
Part of the reason why a visit to the NM MVD can be a painful experience is the abundance of paperwork. Regardless of what you need done, chances are you’re likely going to need to fill out a few forms to start the process. The best way to combat this is to do your homework and research what forms you’ll need to fill out ahead of time. The New Mexico MVD features an extensive library of forms available on their website for download; to save time, you could potentially print them out and fill out your paperwork well in advance of your office visit.
The New Mexico Point System
Like other states, New Mexico employs a point system to keep its drivers honest, safe, and responsible behind the wheel. Points are assigned to drivers whenever they are convicted of a traffic violation; the amount of points is dependent on the severity of the violation. If a driver receives 6 points, they’ll receive a letter warning them of imminent suspension; if they receive 7 to 10 points in a one year period, they will receive an automatic suspension of up to 3 months. If a driver reaches 12 points in one year, they may be penalized with a suspension of 12 months. For more details, refer to this document on the New Mexico MVD website.
Order Your New Mexico Driving Record
The best way to gauge your skills as a driver and ensure your license doesn’t get suspended is to keep an eye on your New Mexico Driver History Record. This document contains a complete list of your violations and points you’ve accrued, giving you an accurate, quantifiable way to be aware of your skills and safety on the road. Knowing how close you are to license suspension can be the motivation you need to improve your driving knowledge and behind-the-wheel safety. Ordering a driver history record can be done online, or in person at a field office.
