HOUSE BILL 25

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Nathan P. Cote

AN ACT

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; PERMITTING ONLINE AND TELEPHONIC RENEWAL OF UNRESTRICTED DRIVER'S LICENSES AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS.

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

     Section 1. Section 66-5-21 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 243, as amended) is amended to read:

     "66-5-21. EXPIRATION OF LICENSE--FOUR-YEAR ISSUANCE PERIOD--EIGHT-YEAR ISSUANCE PERIOD--RENEWAL.--

          A. Except as provided in [Subsection B of this section] Section 66-5-19 NMSA 1978 and Section 66-5-67 NMSA 1978, [all driver's licenses shall be issued for a period of four years, and each license shall expire thirty days after the applicant's birthday in the fourth year after the effective date of the license] a driver's license shall be issued for a four-year or eight-year period when the amount required for issuance of a driver's license is paid, the applicant will not reach the age of seventy-five within four years of issuance and the driver otherwise qualifies for a four-year driver's license. The license shall expire thirty days after the applicant's birthday:

                (1) in the fourth year after the effective date of a four-year license; and

                (2) in the eighth year after the effective date of an eight-year license.

          B. A license issued pursuant to Section 66-5-19 NMSA 1978 shall expire thirty days after the applicant's birthday in the year in which the license expires. [Each license is renewable within ninety days prior to its expiration or at an earlier date approved by the department.]

          C. The fee for the license shall be as provided in Section 66-5-44 NMSA 1978. [The department may provide for renewal by mail of a driver's license issued pursuant to the provisions of this subsection, pursuant to regulations adopted by the department and may require an examination upon renewal of the driver's license.

          B. At the option of an applicant, a driver's license may be issued for a period of eight years, provided that the applicant:

                (1) pays the amount required for a driver's license issued for a term of eight years;

                (2) otherwise qualifies for a four-year driver's license; and

                (3) will not reach the age of seventy-five during the last four years of the eight-year license period.

          C. A driver's license issued pursuant to the provisions of Subsection B of this section shall expire thirty days after the applicant's birthday in the eighth year after the effective date of the license.]

          D. Except as provided in this section, an applicant may renew a driver's license by telephone or mail or on the division's web site within ninety days prior to its expiration for an additional period of four years.

          [D.] E. The director may adopt regulations providing for the proration of driver's license fees and commercial driver's license fees due to shortened licensure periods permitted pursuant to Subsection A of Section 66-5-19 NMSA 1978."

     Section 2. Section 66-5-403 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1973, Chapter 269, Section 3, as amended) is amended to read:

     "66-5-403. EXPIRATION OF IDENTIFICATION CARDS--DURATION--ELECTRONIC RENEWAL.--

          A. Except as provided in Subsection B or C of this section, every identification card shall be issued for a period not to exceed four years and shall expire on the last day of the month of the identified person's birth in the fourth year after the effective date of the identification card. [The]

          B. An identification card may be renewed within ninety days prior to its expiration or at an earlier date approved by the department. An identification card may be renewed by mail or electronic means pursuant to regulations adopted by the department. The regulations shall ensure adequate security measures to safeguard personal information that is obtained in the issuance of an identification card.

          [B.] C. At the option of the applicant for an identification card, a card may be issued for a period of eight years, provided that the applicant pays the amount required for an identification card issued for a term of eight years. An identification card issued pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall expire on the last day of the month of the applicant's birth in the eighth year after the effective date of the identification card. The identification card may be renewed within ninety days prior to its expiration."

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