Motorcycle Laws & Licensing for New Mexico, United States

Operating a motorcycle instills a sense of freedom that cannot quite be achieved when driving a car or truck. However, it also takes considerable skill to handle a two-wheeled vehicle since it lacks the protective measures other vehicles have. A motorcyclist’s skills can be honed if they have a solid grasp of motorcycle laws and the licensing process. But it depends on which state the rider travels through as every region in the United States differs when it comes to restrictions on motorcyclist behavior.

Any novice motorcyclists, out-of-state tourists, or experienced riders looking to brush up on the rules of the road will need to study the motorcycle laws and licensing process for New Mexico. This will ensure that any motorcycle trips through this state will be as smooth and uneventful as possible. 

You are required to own New Mexico motorcycle insurance shortly after completing the registration of your vehicle. This ensures that you can be held financially responsible if you are involved in an accident that causes considerable harm to another driver’s health and/or property. So that you can demonstrate you have a valid motorcycle insurance plan, you need to be holding a physical copy even on the road.

Liability insurance coverage valid in New Meixco deals with payments related to injuries sustained or inflicted and any property that was destroyed or lost in an accident:

• $25,000 for bodily injury to a person per accident

• $50,000 for bodily injuries to multiple people per accident

• $10,000 for property damages sustained per accident

Because the required New Mexico motorcycle insurance only pays compensation to another party, optional insurance coverage can help protect your health and vehicle if you are willing to part with extra money to own it:

• Collision coverage

• Uninsured coverage

• Underinsured coverage

• Comprehensive coverage

• Custom parts and equipment coverage

Riders and passengers below the age of 18 have to wear a motorcycle helmet while riding a two-wheeled vehicle.

To give you an idea of how effective motorcycle helmets are, here are some statistics in recent years related to New Mexico:

• Wearing a motorcycle helmet reduces the chances of dying in an accident by 37%

• Wearing a motorcycle helmet reduces the chances of serious head injuries in an accident by 69%

• In 2014, about 44 motorcyclists died in accidents and made up about 11% of vehicle fatalities in New Mexico

• In 2019, about 42 of over 5,000 motorcycle fatalities throughout the United States occurred in New Mexico

The two types of motorcycle helmets to choose from are three-quarter and full-face helmets. They must satisfy the safety criteria of the U.S. Department of Transportation. You will know it is manufactured correctly if it has labels from the American National Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial Foundation.

Depending on which one you choose, it must have the following features below:

When you have passed your 15th birthday, you are allowed to apply for a New Mexico motorcycle instructional permit, but the process is not complete until you have paid $10.

During the application process, make sure that you have met these criteria:

• Completed an approved Driver Education Course provided by the Traffic Safety Bureau

• Provide proof of I.D.

• Provide proof of New Mexico residency

• Provide proof of New Mexico motorcycle insurance

• Pass the vision exam

• Pass the written exam* 

• Or show a Certificate of Completion from a Motor Vehicle Division-contracted driver’s education school*

A rider in possession of a motorcycle instructional permit is only allowed to operate a motorcycle if he/she complies with these criteria:

• You can only drive on public highways if accompanied by at least a 21-year-old or older who has held a valid New Mexico motorcycle license for at least three years

• You cannot carry any other passengers besides your supervisor

When you have reached the age of 15 ½, you are allowed to apply for a motorcycle endorsement for your New Mexico driver’s license.

You must pay a fee of $18 for a four-year license or $34 for an eight-year license to complete the process of getting a motorcycle endorsement.

Listed below are the requirements you will need to fulfill to obtain a New Mexico motorcycle license:

*Because the MSF Basic Rider Course is mandatory for minors, the motorcycle license test is waived for them.

*Passing an MSF Basic Rider Course is optional for any adults at least or over the age of 18. However, if they submit proof of completing an MSF Basic Rider Course, they are given the option of skipping the motorcycle license test.

*When providing proof of current residence in New Mexico, you will need to submit at least two legal documents.

• Complete 25 multiple-choice questions 

• Questions based on the New Mexico MVD Driver Manual

• Requires a passing grade of 72% or higher

• Will either be conducted on a closed course or on streets surrounding the testing location

• Examiner will confirm insurance and registration

• Examiner will inspect the motorcycle to confirm it meets safety standards

• Perform basic maneuvers such as turns, stops, etc.

• If you fail the test, you must wait a week to try again

There is no age limit or age range forbidden from being motorcycle passengers in New Mexico.

Though your passenger is not in control of the motorcycle, he/she is still susceptible to the same traffic laws as you. To lower the chance of an accident, your passenger has to behave appropriately and follow your movements to help your motorcycle’s performance.

It is only legal to transport another person on your motorcycle if there is a passenger pillion and footrests that can be reached by your passenger.

Make sure that the passenger seat is located in one of the following positions and that the passenger complies with the following rules:

• The passenger is seated in a driver’s saddle big enough to fit two people 

• Or the passenger is seated in a separate saddle near the rear 

• Or the passenger is seated in a sidecar 

• There are adjustable footholds the passenger can reach 

• The passenger is facing forward with a leg hanging on each side

• The passenger cannot hold packages that could obstruct the driver

• The passenger can understand and follow your directions

Lane splitting is declared illegal within New Mexico. Because motorcyclists are prohibited from engaging in any form of lane splitting, that means they cannot attempt any of the following while on a road, highway, or freeway:

• You cannot ride on top of the dividing lines between lanes

• You cannot ride in between adjacent rows of vehicles that are stopped

• You cannot overtake another vehicle sharing the same lane 

This is implemented not to limit the freedom of motorcyclists, but to promote safe behavior while traveling through New Mexico. That being said, motorcyclists are allowed to maneuver on streets laned for traffic in ways that other vehicles cannot:

• You are entitled to full use of the space within your current lane 

• You can only share a lane with another motorcycle if:

  • Both parties stay apart at least two abreast

  • Both parties consent beforehand

At any time, your motorcycle can be subject to random inspections so you must make sure that the vehicle is always in good working condition. For your motorcycle to be considered safe to operate through the streets of New Mexico, it must be complete with the following equipment:

• Horn

• Wheels

• Tires

• Handlebars 

•  Brake system 

• Controls

• Headlight

•  Taillight 

•  Brake light 

•  Reflector 

• Exhaust system

•  Muffler 

•  Rearview mirrors 

•  Turn signals 

• Spark arrestor

• New Mexico Motorcycle Laws
• New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division - Insurance
• New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division - Helmet Law
• New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division - Chapter 3: Instructional Permit
• New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division - Chapter 11: Road and Written Test Requirements