HOUSE BILL 330

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Elias Barela

AN ACT

RELATING TO DRIVER'S LICENSES; REQUIRING A NEW RESIDENT OF THE STATE TO SURRENDER TO THE STATE ANY VALID OUT-OF-STATE DRIVER'S LICENSES IN THE RESIDENT'S NAME WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER BEGINNING TO RESIDE IN THE STATE; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. Section 66-5-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 224, as amended) is amended to read:

     "66-5-2. DRIVERS MUST BE LICENSED.--

          A. Except those expressly exempted from the Motor Vehicle Code, no person shall drive any motor vehicle, neighborhood electric car or moped upon a highway in this state unless the person:

                (1) holds a valid license issued under the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Code; and

                (2) has surrendered to the division within thirty days after beginning to reside in New Mexico any other license previously issued to the person by this state or by another state or country or has filed an affidavit with the division that the person does not possess such other license; however, the applicant need not surrender a motorcycle license duly obtained under Paragraph [(3)] (4) of Subsection A of Section 66-5-5 NMSA 1978.

          B. Any person licensed under the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Code or expressly exempted from licensure may exercise the privilege granted upon all streets and highways in this state and shall not be required to obtain any other license to exercise the privilege by any county, municipality or any other local body having authority to adopt local police regulations."

     Section 2. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

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