NewMexico Drivers Education

New Mexico has a three phase graduated drivers program which includes an Instructional Permit (also known as a learners permit), a Provisional License and finally an Unrestricted Drivers License. All first time drivers under the age of 18 must participate in this program until they have met all of the requirements for an unrestricted license.

For an instructional permit you will be allowed to drive as long as you are supervised by another driver who is over the age of 21. You can apply for this permit as young as 15 years old, if you pass a knowledge test, a vision test and if you have parental permission. You must retain this permit for a minimum of 6 months, you must be enrolled in and attending a driver education course which includes DWI education as well as practice driving, you must have an approved instructor or a licensed driver who has been licensed for at least three years and is over the age of 21. Once you have held the permit for 6 months, you will be eligible to participate in the Provisional License program which allows you to drive without supervision before midnight and after five in the morning.
 

A Provisional License carries specific requirements and restrictions which are:

You must complete not less than 50 hours of practice driving, including not less than 10 hours of nighttime driving. Your parent or guardian must agree that you have completed the practice driving part.
 

You must pass a written and road test in addition to a vision screening.

You must be at least 15 years and 6 months and have held an instructional permit for 6 months.

You cannot have been convicted of a traffic violation in the 90 days prior to applying for your provisional license.

You may not operate a motor vehicle upon public highways between the hours of midnight and 5:00 AM.
 

However, you may drive any hour if you:

Are accompanied by a licensed driver twenty-one years or older; are required by family necessity as evidenced by a signed statement of a parent or guardian; are required by medical necessity as evidenced by a signed statement of a parent or guardian; are driving to and from work as evidenced by a signed statement from your employer; you are driving to and from school or a religious activity as evidenced by a signed statement of a school, religious official or a parent or guardian, or if it is required due to a medical emergency.

You may find the New Mexico Drivers Handbook helpful in preparing for your permit and the written tests.