could be as simple as paying the state-mandated reinstatement fee—but depending on the violation, your penalties may also include waiting out a year-long suspension period or taking a driving course.

If you’ve lost your driver’s license, getting it back is probably the first thing on your mind. In some cases, you’ll be able to pay a reinstatement fee and resume driving within a week or so. But the regulations vary depending on the severity of the offense that lost you your license in the first place—and the rules differ from state to state.

Here's your guide to New Mexico license reinstatements.

Why you might need a license reinstatement in New Mexico

The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) issues license suspensions and revocations for a range of offenses. You could have your license suspended for failure to pay court charges,

driving under the influence

, or revoked entirely for failing to pay child support.

In most cases, when your

New Mexico driver’s license is suspended

, you won’t automatically regain your driving privileges when the suspension period runs out. Instead, the New Mexico MVD requires drivers to submit paperwork and pay reinstatement fees to get back behind the wheel.

Longer-term suspensions may last from 5-10 years and require the court’s signature of approval in addition to the mandated fee and paperwork.

If you’re not sure whether you need a license reinstatement, you can

check the status

of your New Mexico driver’s license online.

MORE:

Can you get car insurance with a suspended license?

How to get a license reinstatement in New Mexico

New Mexico requires you to complete a few steps to get your license reinstated.

In most cases, you’ll need to send in some documentation and pay a reinstatement fee. These fees vary and can be paid on the MVD website. Some cases additionally require enrollment in an eight-hour, bureau-approved driving course.

For instance, drivers ages 25+ who lost their license for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are required to take a driver improvement course. Proof of enrollment in a bureau-approved DWI Prevention and Education Program must be submitted to the New Mexico MVD along with the reinstatement fee.

Point suspensions

If your license was suspended due to accumulating too many points on your New Mexico driving record, you'll see a mandatory one-year suspension period per state law.

To get your license back after the suspension period, New Mexico requires you to enroll in the eight-hour safety course approved by the Traffic Safety Bureau (TSB).

A certificate of completion must be submitted as part of your license reinstatement application.

Misrepresentation

If your license was suspended for misrepresentation, you must submit identification and

proof of residency

documents to the MVD along with your reinstatement application.

This violation typically only requires a year suspension and the mandatory reinstatement fee.

D38 and D39 suspensions

These suspensions require proof of

car insurance

to get your license reinstated. The policy must be up-to-date and list your name.

In some cases, a letter of release from the attorney who issued the suspension will be required to reinstate your license. However, if your suspension has been active for more than one year, a letter of release is not required—proof of insurance alone will allow your license to be reinstated.

Key Takeaway The New Mexico MVD requires a fee for all driver’s license reinstatements. This fee varies depending on the violation.

How to get a hardship license in New Mexico

New Mexico offers two types of hardship licenses that allow you to drive while waiting out the mandated suspension period.

Limited license

A limited liability license is given to drivers who are looking to engage in beneficial activities and need to drive to do so. With this license, you’ll be limited to driving during certain days and times.

If your license has been suspended for the following reasons, a limited liability license is not available:

Driving while intoxicated

(DWI)

Nonpayment of child support

Failure to make child support payments

Failure to appear under the Mandatory Financial Responsibility Act

Committing homicide by vehicle or using a vehicle to cause bodily harm

Ignition interlock license

If your license was suspended for a DWI, then you can apply for an ignition interlock license. This type of license permits you to drive as long as an ignition interlock device is installed in your vehicle. To obtain this type of license, you will need:

Proof of ID

Proof of financial responsibility—this can be your car insurance or

car loan

documents, state Treasurer’s Certificate of Deposit, or a Surety Bond Certificate issued by MVD’s Mandatory Insurance Section

Proof of car insurance—your name must name be listed as the insured or as a covered driver

Proof that your vehicle is equipped with an ignition interlock device—this might be a current contract or receipt for the interlock device

Completed and notarized form MVD-10456, “Affidavit For Ignition Interlock License”

$63.00 reinstatement fee

What about an SR-22 certificate?

New Mexico does not require an

SR-22 certificate

to be filed after a license suspension or revocation.

If your driver’s license has been suspended or revoked, some states require that you file an SR-22 through your insurance provider. Sometimes called “SR-22 insurance,” these certificates constitute legal proof that you’ve met the state’s minimum insurance requirements.

Even though New Mexico does not require an SR-22 certificate, you will need to submit proof of liability insurance when applying for a New Mexico driver’s license reinstatement.

All drivers must adhere to

New Mexico's car insurance requirements

$25,000 of

bodily injury liability

per person

$50,000 of bodily injury per accident

$10,000 of

property damage liability

per accident

MORE:

Minimum car insurance required in your state: What you need to know

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