Registration Application
Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer is subject to registration.
Applications are made to the MVD and shall be upon the appropriate forms furnished by the MVD.
The application shall bear the signature of the owner, the name and address of the owner, a description of the motor vehicle, an odometer reading, and a statement of all liens or encumbrances upon the vehicle.
Any owner of a vehicle subject to registration which has never been registered in this state but which has been registered in another state shall have such vehicle examined and inspected for its identification number or engine number by the MVD or an officer or designated agent thereof incident to securing registration, re-registration, or a certificate of title from the MVD. NCIC clearance is also required.
A copy of the vehicle registration shall be kept in the vehicle at all times and shall be made available upon the request of a law enforcement officer.
Changes of address notices must be made within 10 business days of move.
New Mexico has no grace period for late registration.
The MVD may refuse registration or issuance of a certificate of title or any transfer of registration upon the ground that the application contains any false or fraudulent statement; the vehicle is mechanically unfit or unsafe to be operated or moved upon the highways; the MVD has reasonable ground to believe that the vehicle is a stolen or embezzled vehicle; the required fees and/or taxes have not been paid; or because the owner is required to but has failed to provide proof of compliance with a vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program.
Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer when driven or moved upon a highway is subject to the registration and certificate of title provisions.
Trailers not used in commerce and weighing less than 6,001 lbs. may be granted permanent registration upon application and payment of fee.
Registration for Non-Residents
Non-residents may operate a vehicle registered in another state for a period of up to 180 days without registering the vehicle in New Mexico.
Any person gainfully employed within the boundaries of the state for a period of 30 days or more within a 60-day period shall be presumed to be a resident of the state unless the owner of the vehicle commutes from another state in which he resides.
Every nonresident including any foreign corporation carrying on business within the state and owning and regularly operating in that business any vehicle or trailer within the state must register each vehicle and pay the same fees as required residents of this state.
Registration Type
Renewals of registration are for a 1-year period, but may be extended to a 2-year period for vehicles weighing less than 26,000 lbs.
The MVD will notify each registered vehicle owner by mail at the last known address within an appropriate period prior to the beginning of the registration period to which the owner has been assigned. The notice shall include a renewal-of registration application form specifying the amount of registration fees due and the specific dates of the registration period covered by the renewal application.
Every manufactured home must be titled and registered and shall be issued a registration plate.
Emissions Inspection
May be required by a county or municipal ordinance only. At the present time, the City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County are the only jurisdictions to require them.
Safety Inspection
No statewide periodic vehicle safety inspection requirement.
Title and Registration Fees
AUTOMOBILE
Title Fee: $3.00
Registration Fee: $27.00 – $62.00 (1 yr) and $54.00 – $124.00 (2 yr)
MOTORCYCLE
Title Fee: $3.00
Registration Fee: $15.00 (1 year) $30.00 (2 year)
DUPLICATES
Plate Fee: $9.50
Registration Fee: $3.50
Driver’s License Fee: $18.00
Title Fee: $15.00
Special Plates: $3.00–$40.00