44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; PROVIDING THAT LICENSEES LESS THAN EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE MAY OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE ONLY DURING CERTAIN HOURS; ENACTING A NEW SECTION OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE CODE.

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

Section 1. A new section of the Motor Vehicle Code is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] LICENSEES LESS THAN EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE--RESTRICTED HOURS FOR OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE--EXCEPTIONS.--A licensee who is less than eighteen years of age may operate a motor vehicle upon the public highways between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and midnight. A licensee may drive at any hour if:

A. required by family necessity as evidenced by a signed statement from the licensee's parent or guardian;

B. required due to a medical emergency;

C. required by medical necessity as evidenced by a signed statement from medical personnel;

D. driving to and from work as evidenced by a signed statement from the licensee's employer; or

E. driving to and from a school activity or a religious activity as evidenced by a signed statement from a school or religious official or the licensee's parent or guardian."

Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 1999.