44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 1999
RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; ESTABLISHING A SYSTEM OF GRADUATED DRIVER'S LICENSES FOR PERSONS LESS THAN EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE; AMENDING AND ENACTING SECTIONS OF THE NMSA 1978.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
Section 1. Section 66-5-5 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 227, as amended) is amended to read:
"66-5-5. PERSONS NOT TO BE LICENSED.--The division shall not issue a driver's license under the Motor Vehicle Code to any person:
A. who is under the age of [sixteen] eighteen
years, except the division may, in its discretion, issue:
(1) [a restricted] an instruction permit [or
a restricted license] to [students fourteen] a person fifteen
years of age or over who is enrolled in and attending or has
completed a driver education course that includes a DWI
education and prevention component approved by the bureau or
offered by a public school;
[(2) a license to any person fifteen years of
age or older who has satisfactorily completed a driver
education course that is approved by the bureau or offered by
a public school that includes both a DWI education and
prevention component and practice driving; and]
(2) a provisional license to any person fifteen years and six months of age or older:
(a) who has completed a driver education course approved by the bureau or offered by a public school that includes a DWI education and prevention component and has had an instruction permit for at least six months; and
(b) who has successfully completed a practice driving component;
(3) a driver's license to any person sixteen years and six months of age or older:
(a) who has had a provisional license for the twelve-month period immediately preceding the date of the application for the driver's license;
(b) who has complied with restrictions on that license;
(c) who has not been convicted of a traffic violation that was committed during the ninety days prior to applying for a driver's license; and
(d) who has not been adjudicated for an offense involving the use of alcohol or drugs during that period and who has no pending adjudications alleging an offense involving the use of alcohol or drugs at the time of his application; and
[(3)] (4) to any person thirteen years of age
or older who passes an examination prescribed by the division,
a license restricted to the operation of a motorcycle,
provided:
(a) the motor is not in excess of one hundred cubic centimeters displacement;
(b) no holder of an initial license may carry any other passenger while driving a motorcycle; and
(c) the director approves and certifies motorcycles as not in excess of one hundred cubic centimeters displacement and by regulation provides for a method of identification of such motorcycles by all law enforcement officers;
B. whose license or driving privilege has been suspended or denied, during the period of suspension or denial, or to any person whose license has been revoked, except as provided in Section 66-5-32 NMSA 1978;
C. who is an habitual drunkard, an habitual user of narcotic drugs or an habitual user of any drug to a degree which renders him incapable of safely driving a motor vehicle;
D. who, within any ten-year period, is three times convicted of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drug regardless of whether the convictions are under the laws or ordinances of this state or any municipality or county of this state or under the laws or ordinances of any other state, the District of Columbia or any governmental subdivision thereof. Ten years after being so convicted for the third time, the person may apply to any district court of this state for restoration of the license, and the court, upon good cause being shown, may order restoration of the license applied for; provided that the person has not been subsequently convicted of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drug in the ten-year period prior to his request for restoration of his license. Upon issuance of the order of restoration, a certified copy shall immediately be forwarded to the division, and if the person is otherwise qualified for the license applied for, the three previous convictions shall not prohibit issuance of the license applied for. Should the person be subsequently once convicted of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drug, the division shall revoke his license for five years, after which time he may apply for restoration of his license as provided in this subsection;
E. who has previously been afflicted with or who is suffering from any mental disability or disease which would render him unable to drive a motor vehicle with safety upon the highways and who has not, at the time of application, been restored to health;
F. who is required by the Motor Vehicle Code to take an examination, unless he has successfully passed the examination;
G. who is required under the laws of this state to deposit proof of financial responsibility and who has not deposited the proof;
H. when the director has good cause to believe that the operation of a motor vehicle on the highways by the person would be inimical to public safety or welfare; or
I. as a motorcycle driver who is less than eighteen years of age and who has not presented a certificate or other evidence of having successfully completed a motorcycle driver education program licensed or offered in conformance with regulations of the bureau."
Section 2. Section 66-5-8 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 230, as amended) is amended to read:
"66-5-8. PROVISIONAL LICENSES--INSTRUCTION PERMITS [AND]
--DRIVER EDUCATION STUDENTS--TEMPORARY LICENSES.--
A. A person fifteen years and six months of age or older who has completed a driver education course that includes a DWI prevention and education program approved by the bureau or offered by a public school, who has had an instruction permit for at least six months, and who has successfully completed a practice driving component may apply to the division for a provisional license. Successful completion of a practice driving component shall include not less than fifty hours of actual driving by the applicant, including not less than ten hours of night driving. The applicant's parent or guardian shall certify that the applicant has completed the practice driving component.
B. When operating a motor vehicle, a provisional licensee may be accompanied by not more than one passenger under the age of twenty-one who is not a member of the licensee's immediate family. A provisional license entitles the licensee, while having the license in his immediate possession, to operate a motor vehicle upon the public highways between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and midnight. A provisional licensee may drive at any hour if:
(1) accompanied by a licensed driver twenty-one years of age or older;
(2) required by family necessity as evidenced by a signed statement of a parent or guardian;
(3) required by medical necessity as evidenced by a signed statement from medical personnel;
(4) driving to and from work as evidenced by a signed statement from the licensee's employer;
(5) driving to and from school or a religious activity as evidenced by a signed statement of a school or religious official or a parent or guardian; or
(6) required due to a medical emergency.
C. A provisional license shall not be issued to a person convicted of a traffic violation in the ninety days prior to applying for a provisional license. A provisional license shall be in such form as to be readily distinguishable from an unrestricted driver's license and shall contain an indication that the licensee may drive without supervision.
[A.] D. Any person fifteen years of age or older
who is enrolled in and attending or has completed a driver
education course that includes a DWI prevention and education
program approved by the bureau or offered by a public school
may apply to the division for an instruction permit. The
division, in its discretion after the applicant has
successfully passed all parts of the examination other than
the driving test, may issue to the applicant an instruction
permit. This permit entitles the applicant, while having the
permit in his immediate possession, to drive a motor vehicle
upon the public highways for a period of six months when
accompanied by a licensed driver twenty-one years of age or
older who has been licensed for at least three years in this
state or in another state and who is occupying a seat beside
the driver except in the event the permittee is operating a
motorcycle. [The instruction permit may be renewed or a new
permit issued for an additional period of six months.
B. The division upon receiving proper application
may in its discretion issue a restricted instruction permit
effective for a restricted period of a school year or more to
an applicant fourteen]
E. A person fifteen years of age or older who is a
student enrolled in and attending a driver education course
that is approved by the bureau or offered by a public school
and that includes both a DWI education and prevention
component and practice driving component may drive a motor
vehicle on the highways of this state even though [the
applicant] he has not reached the legal age to be eligible for
a driver's license [The instruction permit entitles the
permittee, when he has the permit in his immediate possession,
to operate a motor vehicle only on a designated highway or
within a designated area but only when] or a provisional
license. In completing the practice driving component, a
person may only operate a motor vehicle on a public highway
if:
(1) an approved instructor is occupying a
seat beside the [permittee] person; or
(2) a licensed driver twenty-one years of age or older who has been licensed for at least three years in this state or another state is occupying a seat beside the person.
[C.] F. The division in its discretion may issue a
temporary driver's permit to an applicant for a driver's
license permitting him to operate a motor vehicle while the
division is completing its investigation and determination of
all facts relative to the applicant's right to receive a
driver's license. The permit [must] shall be in his immediate
possession while operating a motor vehicle, and it shall be
invalid when the applicant's license has been issued or for
good cause has been refused.
[D.] G. Any holder of an instruction permit for a
motorcycle shall not carry any other passenger while operating
a motorcycle."
Section 3. Section 66-5-9 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 231, as amended) is amended to read:
"66-5-9. APPLICATION FOR LICENSE, TEMPORARY LICENSE, PROVISIONAL LICENSE OR INSTRUCTION PERMIT.--
A. Every application for an instruction permit,
provisional license or [for a] driver's license shall be made
upon a form furnished by the department. Every application
shall be accompanied by the proper fee. For permits,
provisional licenses or driver's licenses other than those
issued pursuant to the New Mexico Commercial Driver's License
Act, submission of a complete application with payment of the
fee entitles the applicant to not more than three attempts to
pass the examination within a period of six months from the
date of application.
B. Every application shall contain the full name, social security number, date of birth, sex and New Mexico residence address of the applicant and briefly describe the applicant and indicate whether the applicant has previously been licensed as a driver and, if so, when and by what state or country and whether any such license has ever been suspended or revoked or whether an application has ever been refused and, if so, the date of and reason for the suspension, revocation or refusal.
C. Every applicant shall indicate whether he has been convicted of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs in this state or in any other jurisdiction. Failure to disclose any such conviction prevents the issuance of a driver's license, provisional license, temporary license or instruction permit for a period of one year if the failure to disclose is discovered by the department prior to issuance. If the nondisclosure is discovered by the department subsequent to issuance, the department shall revoke the driver's license, provisional license, temporary license or instruction permit for a period of one year. Intentional and willful failure to disclose, as required in this subsection, is a misdemeanor.
D. Every applicant less than eighteen years of age who is making an application to be granted his first New Mexico driver's license shall submit evidence that he has:
(1) successfully completed a driver education course that included a DWI prevention and education program approved by the bureau or offered by a public school. The bureau may accept verification of driver education course completion from another state if the driver education course substantially meets the requirements of the bureau for a course offered in New Mexico;
(2) had a provisional license for the twelve-month period immediately preceding the date of the application for the driver's license;
(3) complied with restrictions on that license;
(4) not been convicted of a traffic violation committed during the ninety days prior to applying for a driver's license;
(5) not been cited for a traffic violation that is pending at the time of his application; and
(6) not been adjudicated for an offense involving the use of alcohol or drugs during that period and that there are no pending adjudications alleging an offense involving the use of alcohol or drugs at the time of his application.
E. Every applicant eighteen years of age and over,
but less than [forty-five] twenty-five years of age, who is
making an application to be granted his first New Mexico
driver's license shall submit evidence with his application
that he has successfully completed a bureau-approved DWI
prevention and education program.
F. Every applicant forty-five years of age and over, who has not been previously licensed in other jurisdictions for a cumulative total of more than ten years or who has been convicted of driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, and who is making an application to be granted his first New Mexico driver's license, shall submit evidence with his application that he has successfully completed a bureau-approved DWI prevention and education program.
G. Whenever application is received from a person previously licensed in another jurisdiction, the department may request a copy of the driver's record from the other jurisdiction. When received, the driver's record may become a part of the driver's record in this state with the same effect as though entered on the driver's record in this state in the original instance.
H. Whenever the department receives a request for a driver's record from another licensing jurisdiction, the record shall be forwarded without charge.
I. This section does not apply to driver's licenses issued pursuant to the New Mexico Commercial Driver's License Act."
Section 4. Section 66-5-11 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 233) is amended to read:
"66-5-11. APPLICATION OF MINORS.--
A. The application of any person under the age of
eighteen years for an instruction permit, provisional license
or driver's license shall be signed and verified by the
father, mother or guardian or, in the event there is no parent
or guardian, [then] by another responsible adult who is
willing to assume the obligation imposed under this article
upon a person signing the application of a minor.
B. Any negligence or willful misconduct of a minor
under the age of eighteen years when driving a motor vehicle
upon a highway shall be imputed to the person who has signed
the application of [such] the minor for a permit or license,
which person shall be jointly and severally liable with [such]
the minor for any damages caused by [such] the negligence or
willful misconduct except as otherwise provided in Subsection
C of this section.
C. In the event a minor deposits or there is
deposited upon his behalf proof of financial responsibility in
respect to the operation of a motor vehicle owned by him or,
if not the owner of a motor vehicle, [then] with respect to
the operation of any motor vehicle, in form and in amounts as
required under the motor vehicle financial responsibility laws
of this state, [then] the division may accept the application
of [such] the minor when signed by one parent or the guardian
of [such] the minor, and, while such proof is maintained,
[such] the parent or guardian [shall] is not [be] subject to
the liability imposed under Subsection B of this section."
Section 5. Section 66-5-12 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 234) is amended to read:
"66-5-12. RELEASE FROM LIABILITY.--Any person who has
signed the application of a minor for an instruction permit, a
driver's license or provisional license may thereafter file
with the division a verified written request that the license
of [said] the minor so granted [shall] be [cancelled]
canceled. Thereupon, the division shall cancel the license of
[said] the minor, and the person who signed the application of
[such] the minor shall be relieved from the liability imposed
under this article, by reason of having signed [such] the
application, on account of any subsequent negligence or
willful misconduct of [such] the minor in operating a motor
vehicle."
Section 6. Section 66-5-13 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 235) is amended to read:
"66-5-13. CANCELLATION OF LICENSE UPON DEATH OF PERSON
SIGNING MINOR'S APPLICATION.--The division upon receipt of
satisfactory evidence of the death of the person who signed
the application of a minor for an instruction permit, a
driver's license or provisional license shall cancel [such]
the license and shall not issue a new license until such time
as a new application, duly signed and verified, is made as
required by this article. This provision [shall] does not
apply in the event the minor has attained the age of eighteen
years."
Section 7. Section 66-5-24 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 246) is amended to read:
"66-5-24. AUTHORITY OF DIVISION TO CANCEL LICENSE.--
A. The division is authorized to cancel any
instruction permit, driver's license or provisional license
upon determining that the licensee was not entitled to the
issuance [thereof] of the license or that [said] the licensee
failed to give the required or correct information in his
application or committed any fraud in making [such] the
application.
B. Upon such cancellation, the licensee must
surrender the license so [cancelled] canceled to the
division."
Section 8. Section 66-5-29 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 251, as amended by Laws 1993, Chapter 66, Section 4 and also by Laws 1993, Chapter 78, Section 4) is amended to read:
"66-5-29. MANDATORY REVOCATION OF LICENSE BY DIVISION.--
A. The division shall immediately revoke the instruction permit, driver's license or provisional license of any driver upon receiving a record of the driver's adjudication as a delinquent for or conviction of any of the following offenses, whether the offense is under any state law or local ordinance, when the conviction or adjudication has become final:
(1) manslaughter or negligent homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle;
(2) any offense rendering a person a "first
offender" as defined in the Motor Vehicle Code, if that person
does not attend a driver rehabilitation program pursuant to
Subsection [H] E of Section 66-8-102 NMSA 1978;
(3) any offense rendering a person a "subsequent offender" as defined in the Motor Vehicle Code;
(4) any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used;
(5) failure to stop and render aid as required under the laws of this state in the event of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another;
(6) perjury or the making of a false affidavit or statement under oath to the division under the Motor Vehicle Code or under any other law relating to the ownership or operation of motor vehicles; or
(7) conviction or forfeiture of bail not vacated upon three charges of reckless driving committed within a period of twelve months.
B. Any person whose license has been revoked under this section, except as provided in Subsection C, D or E of this section, shall not be entitled to apply for or receive any new license until the expiration of one year from the date of the last application on which the revoked license was surrendered to and received by the division, if no appeal is filed, or one year from the date that the revocation is final and he has exhausted his rights to an appeal.
C. Any person who upon adjudication as a delinquent or conviction is subject to license revocation under this section for an offense pursuant to which he was also subject to license revocation pursuant to Section 66-8-111 NMSA 1978 shall have his license revoked for that offense for a combined period of time equal to one year.
D. Upon receipt of an order from a court pursuant
to Subsection J of Section [32-1-34] 32A-2-19 NMSA 1978 or
Subsection G of Section [32-1-36] 32A-2-22 NMSA 1978, the
division shall revoke the driver's license or driving
privileges for a period of time in accordance with these
provisions.
E. Upon receipt from a district court of a record
of conviction for the offense of shooting at or from a motor
vehicle pursuant to Subsection B of Section 30-3-8 NMSA 1978
or of a conviction for a conspiracy or an attempt to commit
that offense, the division shall revoke the driver's licenses
or driving privileges of the convicted person. Any person
whose license or privilege has been revoked pursuant to the
provisions of this subsection shall not be entitled to apply
for or receive any new license or privilege until the
expiration of one year from the date of the last application
on which the revoked license was surrendered to and received
by the division, if no appeal is filed, or one year from the
date that the revocation is final and [he] the person has
exhausted his rights to an appeal."
Section 9. Section 66-5-30 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 252, as amended) is amended to read:
"66-5-30. AUTHORITY OF DIVISION TO SUSPEND OR REVOKE LICENSE.--
A. The division is authorized to suspend the instruction permit, driver's license or provisional license of a driver without preliminary hearing upon a showing by its records or other sufficient evidence that the licensee:
(1) has been convicted of an offense for which mandatory revocation of license is required upon conviction;
(2) has been convicted as a driver in any accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another or serious property damage;
(3) has been convicted with such frequency of offenses against traffic laws or regulations governing motor vehicles as to indicate a disrespect for traffic laws and a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highways;
(4) is an habitually reckless or negligent driver of a motor vehicle;
(5) is incompetent to drive a motor vehicle;
(6) has permitted an unlawful or fraudulent use of the license;
(7) has been convicted of an offense in another state which if committed in this state would be grounds for suspension or revocation;
(8) has violated provisions stipulated by a district court in limitation of certain driving privileges;
(9) has failed to fulfill a signed promise to appear or notice to appear in court as evidenced by notice from a court, whenever appearance is required by law or by the court as a consequence of any charge or conviction under the Motor Vehicle Code;
(10) has failed to pay a penalty assessment within thirty days of the date of issuance; or
(11) has accumulated seven points, but less
than eleven points, and when the division has received a
recommendation from a municipal or magistrate judge that the
[licensee] license be suspended for a period not to exceed
three months.
B. Upon suspending the license of any person as authorized in this section, the division shall immediately notify the licensee in writing and upon his request shall afford him an opportunity for a hearing as early as practicable within not to exceed twenty days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after receipt of the request in the county wherein the licensee resides unless the division and the licensee agree that the hearing may be held in some other county; provided that the hearing request is received within twenty days from the date that the suspension was deposited in the United States mail. The director may, in his discretion, extend the twenty-day period. Upon the hearing, the director or his duly authorized agent may administer oaths and may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books and papers and may require a reexamination of the licensee. Upon the hearing, the division shall either rescind its order of suspension or, good cause appearing therefor, may continue, modify or extend the suspension of the license or revoke the license."
Section 10. A new Section 66-5-44.1 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:
"66-5-44.1. [NEW MATERIAL] PROVISIONAL LICENSES--DURATION AND FEE--APPROPRIATION.--
A. There shall be paid to the division a fee of thirteen dollars ($13.00) for each provisional license or duplicate provisional license. Each provisional license shall be for a term provided for in Section 66-5-21 NMSA 1978.
B. The director with the approval of the governor may increase the amount of the fee provided for in this section by an amount not to exceed three dollars ($3.00) for the purpose of implementing an enhanced driver's license system. The additional amounts collected pursuant to this subsection are appropriated to the division to defray the expense of the new system of licensing.
C. The fees collected pursuant to the provisions of Subsection A of this section are appropriated to the division to defray the expense of implementing the new system of provisional licensing."
Section 11. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is January 1, 2000.