How to Avoid a Suspended License in New Mexico

There are many ways your license could be suspended in New Mexico. You could be convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, or another major offense (New Mexico DWI laws are notoriously strict), or you could earn too many points on your record. Every state operates on an established point system as a means of documenting habitually troublesome drivers. For every moving violation, a certain number of points is allotted, and if a driver accrues too many in a given amount of time, he or she will face additional consequences.

Although the point system is used by every state, each has its own take on the values assigned, and the duration that they remain on your record. New Mexico, for instance, is one of the stricter states.

The New Mexico Point System

If you earn more than 12 points in a year, your license will be suspended for the subsequent year. Some of the more frequently-issued citations carry the following point values:

• Speeding (26 MPH over the limit): 8 points
• Passing a school bus: 6 points
• Failure to yield right of way: 4 points
• Careless driving: 3 points
• Indicating the wrong signal: 2 points

Also worth noting: the New Mexico traffic tickets and violations aren’t the only way your license can be suspended. It’s possible to lose your ability to drive with fewer points on your record, as decided by the judge or magistrate.

If you’re ever unsure whether or not your New Mexico drivers license is suspended, you can always order yourself a driving record report. This is a document that tells you if you have a valid license or not. It will also include details about your personal driving history, any tickets you’ve gotten, accidents you’ve been in, anything that’s on record at the New Mexico motor vehicle department.

Appealing Your Suspended License in New Mexico

If you feel yourself wrongly accused, and unfairly punished, you can appeal your case by requesting a hearing with the court that has suspended your license. Be warned, though, that it will be up to you to convince the court that you shouldn’t have your license taken away. So be convincing. Be prepared. And know that even the most ironclad, open-and-shut case might not yield you what you want.

Reinstating Your Suspended License in New Mexico

Getting your New Mexican driving privileges back is a relatively simple process. Under code 18.19.5.55 NMAC, you must successfully complete an approved driver improvement course, in a timely manner. You must also provide proof of completion for this. Most reputable online driver improvement courses will offer a certificate of completion.

The hopeful driver must also then retake – and pass – both the written drivers exam and the vision exam, before he or she gets their license back.

It doesn’t happen right away, though. These things take time, so while you’re in pedestrian-limbo, here’s a list of things to do if your New Mexico license gets suspended:

• Buy comfortable walking shoes
• Rekindle old friendships with friends and family that own reliable transportation
• Bus pass

Remember – driving is a privilege, so do your best to stay out of trouble and New Mexico traffic tickets and violations will be nothing you have to concern yourself with!