New Mexico learner’s permit requirements

Everything here comes from New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (Taxation and Revenue Department) pages, handbooks or state law, and each fact links to its source. Where New Mexico doesn’t publish something, we say so rather than guess.

Last checked September 22, 2026.

At a glance

Minimum age
15 years
Fees
$10 total
Supervised driving
50 hours (10 at night)

The knowledge test and your permit

Test format
Not publishedSources 123
Passing score
70%Sources 123
Time limit
None published
Permit and test fees
$10 totalThe instructional permit costs $10; there is no separate knowledge-exam fee. Later licenses cost $18 for 4 years or $34 for 8 years.Sources 123
Minimum age for a permit
15 years15 with proof of enrollment in or completion of a Traffic Safety Bureau-approved driver education course (with DWI component); parental consent under 18. Instruction permits are issued for a four-year period.Sources 467
Supervised driving
50 hours (10 at night)Sources 467
Hold your permit
6 months minimumSources 467
Test languages
8 languagesEnglish, Spanish, Tagalog, Italian, German, French, Vietnamese, ChineseSources 123
Take it online
No, in personSources 123
If you fail
Non-commercial knowledge exam may be retaken as soon as the same day, but no more than twice in a testing…week (Sunday-Saturday); after a third failure the applicant must wait six months. Passing scores are valid for five years.Sources 123
Vision standard
20/40 or better in at least one eye, with or without corrective lensesSources 467

From permit to full license

Three-stage GDL for under-18: Instructional permit at 15 (driver ed required; drive only with a licensed driver 21+ with 3+ years' experience in the front seat); hold permit at least 6 months (+30 days per traffic violation), log 50 hours incl. 10 at night certified by parent/guardian, maintain a clean record for 90 days, then pass road test for a Provisional license at 15 years 6 months; provisional restrictions: no driving midnight-5:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a 21+ licensed driver or for listed exceptions, no more than one passenger under 21 outside immediate family; unrestricted license after holding the provisional license 12 months (+30 days per conviction). 13-17 year olds may obtain motorcycle-only licenses/endorsements after the MSF Basic RiderCourse.

Before you go

Rules and fees change. Confirm appointments, documents and current fees on the official New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (Taxation and Revenue Department) website: mvd.newmexico.gov.

Sources

  1. mvd.newmexico.gov: chapter 11 road and written test requirements
  2. mvd.newmexico.gov: knowledge written examination changes
  3. mvd.newmexico.gov: chapter 2 non commercial license
  4. mvd.newmexico.gov: apply for a learners permit
  5. mvd.newmexico.gov: nm drivers licenses ids
  6. mvd.newmexico.gov: chapter 3 instructional permit
  7. mvd.newmexico.gov: chapter 4 provisional drivers license
  8. realfile.tax.newmexico.gov: English Drivers Manualver11.19.19

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