reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 5 - SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES › Section 66-3-424.36 - Off-highway motor vehicle paved road use vehicle plate.

A. The department shall issue a standardized special off-highway motor vehicle paved road use vehicle plate with a logo specified in Section 66-3-424 NMSA 1978 indicating that the recipient intends to operate an off-highway motor vehicle on paved streets or highways in accordance with the provisions of the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act.
B. For a fee of seven dollars ($7.00), an off-highway motor vehicle owner who wishes to indicate an intent to operate an off-highway motor vehicle on paved streets or highways in accordance with the provisions of the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act may apply for the issuance of a special vehicle plate as provided in Subsection A of this section. No two owners shall be issued identically lettered or numbered vehicle plates.
C. The revenue from the special off-highway motor vehicle paved road use vehicle plate fee imposed by Subsection B of this section shall be retained by the department and is appropriated to the department for the manufacture and issuance of the vehicle plates.
History:
Laws 2017, ch. 70, § 2.
ANNOTATIONS
Compiler's notes.
— Laws 2017, ch. 70, § 2, effective July 1, 2017, was erroneously compiled as 66-3-1003.1 NMSA 1978, and has been recompiled as 66-3-424.36 NMSA 1978 by the compiler.
Effective dates.
— Laws 2017, ch. 70, § 5 made Laws 2017, ch. 70, § 2 effective July 1, 2017.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 5 - SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES › Section 66-3-424.37 - Special support of pollinator protection registration plate.

A. The department shall issue a standardized special registration plate in support of pollinator protection with a logo specified in Section 66-3-424 NMSA 1978 indicating that the recipient supports pollinator protection.
B. For an initial fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), which shall be in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fees, a motor vehicle owner may apply for issuance of a special registration plate as provided in Subsection A of this section. For each subsequent year, the fee shall be fifteen dollars ($15.00) if the owner wishes to retain and renew the support of pollinator protection special registration plate.
C. The revenue from the fees imposed by Subsection B of this section for the support of pollinator protection special registration plate shall be distributed as follows:
(1) ten dollars ($10.00) of the initial fee collected shall be retained by the department and is appropriated to the department for the manufacture and issuance of the special registration plate; and
(2) fifteen dollars ($15.00) of the initial fee and the entire renewal fee collected shall be distributed to and are appropriated to the department of transportation for the purpose of funding pollinator protection activities, including roadside vegetation planting, educational signage and demonstration gardens in areas within the department's jurisdiction.
History:
Laws 2019, ch. 162, § 1.
ANNOTATIONS
Effective dates.
— Laws 2019, ch. 162 contained no effective date provision, but, pursuant to N.M. Const., art. IV, § 23, was effective June 14, 2019, 90 days after the adjournment of the legislature.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 5 - SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES › Section 66-3-424.38 - Childhood cancer family support special registration plate.

A. The department shall issue a standardized childhood cancer family support special registration plate with a logo specified in Section 66-3-424 NMSA 1978 indicating that the recipient supports families with a child with cancer.
B. For an initial fee of forty dollars ($40.00), which shall be in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fees, a motor vehicle owner may apply for issuance of a special registration plate as provided in Subsection A of this section. The vehicle owner shall pay a renewal fee of forty dollars ($40.00) each year to retain and renew the childhood cancer family support special registration plate.
C. The revenue from the fees imposed by Subsection B of this section for the childhood cancer family support special registration plate shall be distributed as follows:
(1) ten dollars ($10.00) of the initial fee collected shall be retained by the department and is appropriated to the department for the manufacture and issuance of the special registration plate; and
(2) thirty dollars ($30.00) of the initial fee and the entire renewal fee collected shall be distributed to and are appropriated to the department of health for childhood cancer awareness, outreach and education.
D. Beginning on July 1, 2023, and on July 1 of each subsequent year, the department shall compare the number of childhood cancer family support special registration plates issued or registration renewals for those plates in the previous fiscal year with the average of the number of such plates issued in fiscal years 2021 and 2022.
E. By September 1 of a fiscal year in which the department determines that the number of childhood cancer family support special registration plates issued or registration renewals for those plates in the previous fiscal year is less than fifty percent of the average number of such plates issued in fiscal years 2021 and 2022, the department shall stop issuing childhood cancer family support special registration plates.
History:
Laws 2020, ch. 76, § 1.
ANNOTATIONS
Effective dates.
— Laws 2020, ch. 76, § 2 made Laws 2020, ch. 76, § 1 effective July 1, 2020.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 5 - SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES › Section 66-3-424.39 - Special concerns of police survivors, C.O.P.S., registration plate.

A. The division shall issue a standardized concerns of police survivors, C.O.P.S., special registration plate with a logo designed pursuant to Section 66-3-424 NMSA 1978 to recognize the families and friends of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
B. For an initial fee of forty-five dollars ($45.00), which shall be in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fees, the owner of a vehicle may apply for issuance of a concerns of police survivors, C.O.P.S., special registration plate. The vehicle owner shall pay a renewal fee of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) each year to retain and renew the concerns of police survivors, C.O.P.S., special registration plate.
C. The revenue from the additional fee for a concerns of police survivors, C.O.P.S., special registration plate shall be distributed as follows:
(1) ten dollars ($10.00) of the initial fee collected shall be retained by and is appropriated to the department to defray the cost of making and issuing the special registration plate with the concerns of police survivors, C.O.P.S., logo; and
(2) thirty-five dollars ($35.00) of the initial registration fee and the entire thirty-five dollars ($35.00) of subsequent renewal fees shall be distributed to the law enforcement protection fund.
D. Beginning on July 1, 2026, and on July 1 of each subsequent year, the department shall compare the number of concerns of police survivors, C.O.P.S., special registration plates issued or registration renewals for those plates in the previous fiscal year with the average of the number of such plates issued in fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
E. By September 1 of a fiscal year in which the department determines that the number of concerns of police survivors, C.O.P.S., special registration plates issued or registration renewals for those plates in the previous fiscal year is less than fifty percent of the average number of such plates issued in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the department shall stop issuing concerns of police survivors, C.O.P.S., special registration plates.
History:
Laws 2023, ch. 57, § 1.
ANNOTATIONS
Effective dates.
— Laws 2023, ch. 57, § 2 made Laws 2023, ch. 57, § 1 effective July 1, 2023.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 5 - SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES › Section 66-3-424.40 - Special look twice for motorcycles registration plate.

A. The division shall issue a standardized look twice for motorcycles special registration plate with a logo designed pursuant to Section 66-3-424 NMSA 1978 indicating that the recipient supports driver safety awareness for those who share the road and remind drivers to look twice for motorcycles.
B. For an initial fee of forty-five dollars ($45.00) that shall be in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fees, the owner of a motor vehicle may apply for issuance of a look twice for motorcycles safety awareness special registration plate. The vehicle owner shall pay a renewal fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) each year to retain and renew the look twice for motorcycles special registration plate.
C. The revenue from the additional fee for a look twice for motorcycles safety awareness special registration plate shall be distributed as follows:
(1) twelve dollars ($12.00) of the initial fee collected shall be retained by and is appropriated to the department to defray the cost of making and issuing the special registration plate with the look twice for motorcycles logo; and
(2) thirty-three dollars ($33.00) of the initial registration fee and the entire fifteen dollars ($15.00) of subsequent renewal fees shall be distributed and are appropriated to the motorcycle training fund for the department of transportation to provide driver awareness education and motorcycle training statewide.
D. Beginning on July 1, 2026, and on July 1 of each subsequent year, the department shall compare the number of look twice for motorcycles safety awareness special registration plates issued or registration renewals for those plates in the previous fiscal year with the average of the number of those plates issued in fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
E. By September 1 of a fiscal year in which the department determines that the number of look twice for motorcycles safety awareness special registration plates issued or registration renewals for those plates in the previous fiscal year is less than fifty percent of the average number of those plates issued in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the department shall stop issuing look twice for motorcycles special registration plates.
History:
Laws 2023, ch. 73, § 1.
ANNOTATIONS
Effective dates.
— Laws 2023, ch. 73, § 3 made Laws 2023, ch. 73, § 1 effective July 1, 2023.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 5 - SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES › Section 66-3-424.41 - New Mexico miners special registration plate.

A. The division shall issue a standardized special registration plate with a logo as specified in Section 66-3-424 NMSA 1978 commemorating New Mexico miners.
B. For an initial fee of twenty dollars ($20.00), which shall be in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fees, a motor vehicle owner may apply for issuance of a New Mexico miners special registration plate. The owner shall pay a renewal fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) each year to retain and renew the New Mexico miners special registration plate.
C. Revenue from the fees imposed by Subsection B of this section for a New Mexico miners special registration plate shall be distributed as follows:
(1) twelve dollars ($12.00) of the initial fee collected shall be retained by the department and is appropriated to the department for the manufacture and issuance of the special registration plates; and
(2) eight dollars ($8.00) of the initial fee and the entire renewal fee collected shall be distributed to the miners' hospital of New Mexico to be used for chronic illness research.
D. Beginning on July 1, 2026, and on July 1 of each subsequent year, the department shall compare the number of New Mexico miners special registration plates issued or registration renewals for those plates in the previous fiscal year with the average of the number of those plates issued in fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
E. By September 1 of a fiscal year in which the department determines that the number of New Mexico miners special registration plates issued or registration renewals for those plates in the previous fiscal year is less than fifty percent of the average number of those plates issued in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the department shall stop issuing New Mexico miners special registration plates.
History:
Laws 2023, ch. 73, § 2.
ANNOTATIONS
Effective dates.
— Laws 2023, ch. 73, § 3 made Laws 2023, ch. 73, § 2 effective July 1, 2023.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 5 - SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES › Section 66-3-424.42 - Special support for the national FFA organization registration plate.

A. The division shall issue a standardized special registration plate with a logo specified in Section 66-3-424 NMSA 1978 indicating support for the national FFA organization.
B. For a fee of thirty-five dollars ($35.00), which shall be in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fees, the owner of a vehicle may apply for issuance of a special support for the national FFA organization registration plate. The owner shall apply and pay a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) each year to retain and renew the special support for the national FFA organization registration plate.
C. Revenue from the additional fees for a special support for the national FFA organization registration plate shall be distributed as follows:
(1) twelve dollars ($12.00) of the initial fee collected shall be retained by and is appropriated to the department to defray the cost of making and issuing the special registration plate with the support for the national FFA logo; and
(2) twenty-three dollars ($23.00) of the initial fee and all of the fee for retention and renewal shall be distributed and is appropriated to the board of regents of New Mexico state university for the New Mexico department of agriculture to fund statewide programs for active national FFA chapters.
D. Beginning on July 1, 2026, and on July 1 of each subsequent year, the department shall compare the number of the special support for the national FFA organization registration plates issued or renewed in the previous fiscal year with the average of the number of such plates issued in fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
E. By September 1 of a fiscal year in which the department determines that the number of special support for the national FFA organization registration plates issued or renewed in the previous fiscal year is less than fifty percent of the average number of such plates issued in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the department shall stop issuing special support for the national FFA organization registration plates.
History:
Laws 2023, ch. 76, § 1.
ANNOTATIONS
Effective dates.
— Laws 2023, ch. 76, § 2 made Laws 2023, ch. 76, § 1 effective July 1, 2023.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 5 - SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES › Section 66-3-424.43 - Special acequia and community ditch associations registration plate. (Effective January 1, 2024.)

A. The department shall issue a standardized special registration plate with a logo as specified in Section 66-3-424 NMSA 1978 to express support for acequia and community ditch associations.
B. For an initial fee of thirty dollars ($30.00), which shall be in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fees, an owner of a motor vehicle may apply for issuance of a special acequia and community ditch associations registration plate. The owner shall pay a renewal fee of thirty dollars ($30.00) each year to retain and renew the special acequia and community ditch associations registration plate.
C. Revenue from the fees imposed by Subsection B of this section for a special acequia and community ditch associations registration plate shall be distributed as follows:
(1) twelve dollars ($12.00) of the initial fee collected for each registration plate shall be retained by the department and is appropriated to the department for the manufacture and issuance of the special registration plates; and
(2) eighteen dollars ($18.00) of the initial fee and the entire renewal fee collected for each registration plate shall be appropriated to the acequia and community ditch fund.
D. Beginning on July 1, 2027, and on July 1 of each subsequent year, the department shall compare the number of special acequia and community ditch associations registration plates issued and renewed in the previous fiscal year with the average number of such plates issued and renewed in fiscal years 2025 and 2026. If the department determines that the number of special acequia and community ditch associations registration plates issued and renewed in the previous fiscal year is less than fifty percent of the average number of the plates issued and renewed in fiscal year 2025 or 2026, the department may stop issuing special acequia and community ditch associations registration plates.
History:
Laws 2023, ch. 152, § 1.
ANNOTATIONS
Effective dates.
— Laws 2023, ch. 152, § 2 made Laws 2023, ch. 152, § 1 effective January 1, 2024.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 6 - ANTI-THEFT PROVISIONS › Section 66-3-501 - Report of stolen and recovered vehicles or motor vehicles.

A. Every sheriff, chief of police or peace officer upon receiving reliable information that any vehicle or motor vehicle has been stolen shall immediately, but in no case later than one week after receiving the information, report the theft to the New Mexico state police or other appropriate law enforcement agency unless, prior thereto, information has been received of the recovery of the vehicle or motor vehicle. Any officer, upon receiving information that any vehicle or motor vehicle that the officer has previously reported as stolen has been recovered, shall immediately report the fact of recovery to the local sheriff's office or police department and to the New Mexico state police.
B. The requirement that the theft or recovery of a vehicle or motor vehicle be reported to the New Mexico state police is satisfied if the report is made to the national crime information center.
History:
1953 Comp., § 64-3-501, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 88; 1995, ch. 135, § 15; 2009, ch. 253, § 8; 2009, ch. 261, § 8.
ANNOTATIONS
Cross references.
— For the index of stolen or recovered vehicles,
see
66-3-8, 66-3-9 NMSA 1978.
The 2009 amendment,
effective July 1, 2009, in Subsection A, in the first sentence, after "any vehicle", deleted "registered under the Motor Vehicle Code" and added "or motor vehicle"; after "state police", added "or other appropriate law enforcement agency" and in the second sentence, after "any vehicle", deleted "which he" and added "or motor vehicle that the officer"; and in Subsection B, after "vehicle", added "or motor vehicle".
Laws 2009, ch. 253, § 8 and Laws 2009, ch. 261, § 8 enacted identical amendments to this section. The section was set out as amended by Laws 2009, ch. 261, § 8.
See
12-1-8 NMSA 1978.
The 1995 amendment,
effective June 16, 1995, added Subsection B, designated the existing provisions as Subsection A, substituted "under the Motor Vehicle Code" for "hereunder", and made numerous stylistic changes throughout the section.
Sheriff need not report theft when recovered on same day.
— The sheriff is not required by the provisions of Section 64-9-1, 1953 Comp. (similar to this section) to report either the theft or recovery of a motor vehicle, recovered on the same day it was stolen and where no theft report was ever made, to the local police department or state police.
Foundation Reserve Ins. Co. v. Faust
, 1962-NMSC-176, 71 N.M. 271, 377 P.2d 681.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 6 - ANTI-THEFT PROVISIONS › Section 66-3-502 - Reports by owners of stolen and recovered vehicles or motor vehicles.

A. The owner or person having a lien or encumbrance upon a vehicle or motor vehicle that has been stolen or embezzled may notify the New Mexico state police or other appropriate law enforcement agency of the theft or embezzlement but, in the event of an embezzlement, may make a report only after having procured the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of the person charged with the embezzlement.
B. Every owner or other person who has given any such notice shall immediately notify the New Mexico state police or the law enforcement agency that took the report of a recovery of the vehicle.
History:
1953 Comp., § 64-3-502, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 89; 2009, ch. 253, § 9; 2009, ch. 261, § 9.
ANNOTATIONS
The 2009 amendment,
effective July 1, 2009, in Subsection A, after "encumbrance upon a", changed "registered vehicle which" to "vehicle or motor vehicle that" and after "state police", added "or other appropriate law enforcement agency"; and in Subsection B, after "state police", added "or the law enforcement agency that took the report".
Laws 2009, ch. 253, § 9 and Laws 2009, ch. 261, § 9 enacted identical amendments to this section. The section was set out as amended by Laws 2009, ch. 261, § 9.
See
12-1-8 NMSA 1978.
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references.
— Nature and extent of insured's duty to seek retrieval of stolen automobile, 9 A.L.R.4th 405.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 6 - ANTI-THEFT PROVISIONS › Section 66-3-503 - Repealed.

ANNOTATIONS
Repeals.
— Laws 1995, ch. 135, § 29 repealed 66-3-503 NMSA 1978, as enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 90, relating to actions by the division on report of stolen vehicles, effective June 16, 1995. For provisions of former section,
see
the 1994 NMSA 1978 on
NMOneSource.com.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 6 - ANTI-THEFT PROVISIONS › Section 66-3-504 - Recompiled.

History:
1953 Comp., § 64-3-504, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 91; 1998, ch. 67, § 2; 1978 Comp., § 66-3-504 recompiled as § 30-16D-1 by Laws 2009, ch. 253, § 1 and Laws 2009, ch. 261, § 1.
ANNOTATIONS
Recompilations.
— Laws 2009, ch. 253, § 1 and Laws 2009, ch. 261, § 1 recompiled and amended former 66-3-504 NMSA 1978, relating to unlawful taking of a vehicle or motor vehicle, as 30-16D-1 NMSA 1978, effective July 1, 2009.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 6 - ANTI-THEFT PROVISIONS › Section 66-3-505 - Recompiled.

History:
1953 Comp., § 64-3-505, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 92; 1978 Comp., § 66-3-505 recompiled and amended as § 30-16D-4 by Laws 2009, ch. 253; § 4.
ANNOTATIONS
Recompilations.
— Laws 2009, ch. 253, § 4 and Laws 2009, ch. 261, § 4 recompiled and amended former 66-3-505 NMSA 1978, relating to receiving or transferring stolen vehicles or motor vehicles, as 30-16D-4 NMSA 1978, effective July 1, 2009.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 6 - ANTI-THEFT PROVISIONS › Section 66-3-506 - Recompiled.

History:
1953 Comp., § 64-3-506, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 93; 1978 Comp., § 66-3-506 recompiled and amended as § 30-16D-5 by Laws 2009, ch. 253, § 5 and Laws 2009, ch. 261, § 5.
ANNOTATIONS
Recompilations.
— Laws 2009, ch. 253, § 5 and Laws 2009, ch. 261, § 5 recompiled and amended former 66-3-506 NMSA 1978, relating to injuring or tampering with vehicle, as 30-16D-5 NMSA 1978, effective July 1, 2009.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 6 - ANTI-THEFT PROVISIONS › Section 66-3-508 - Recompiled.

History:
1953 Comp., § 64-3-508, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 95; 1978 Comp, § 66-3-508 recompiled and amended as § 30-16D-6 by Laws 2009, ch. 253, § 6 and Laws 2009, ch. 261, § 6.
ANNOTATIONS
Recompilations.
— Laws 2009, ch. 253, § 6 and Laws 2009, ch. 261, § 6 recompiled and amended former 66-3-508 NMSA 1978, relating to altering or changing engine or other numbers, as 30-16D-6 NMSA 1978, effective July 1, 2009.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 7 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS › Section 66-3-601 to 66-3-603 - Repealed.

ANNOTATIONS
Repeals.
— Laws 1995, ch. 135, § 29 repealed former 66-3-601 through 66-3-603 NMSA 1978, as enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, §§ 96 to 98, relating to portable flare requirements, effective June 16, 1995. For provisions of former sections,
see
the 1994 NMSA 1978 on
NMOneSource.com.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 7 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS › Section 66-3-604 - Recompiled.

ANNOTATIONS
Recompilations.
— Laws 1990, ch. 120, § 43 recompiled 66-3-604 NMSA 1978, relating to special registration plates for radio station licensees, as 66-3-417 NMSA 1978, effective July 1, 1990.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 8 - BICYCLES › Section 66-3-701 - Bicycles; effect of regulations.

A. It is a penalty assessment misdemeanor for a person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required by Sections 66-3-701 through 66-3-707 NMSA 1978.
B. The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or permit any child or ward to violate any of the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Code.
C. These regulations applicable to bicycles apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any highway or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles subject to those exceptions stated in Sections 66-3-701 through 66-3-707 NMSA 1978.
History:
1953 Comp., § 64-3-701, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 100; 2018, ch. 74, § 26.
ANNOTATIONS
Cross references.
— For the penalty for commission of a misdemeanor,
see
66-8-7 NMSA 1978.
For guardians generally,
see
45-5-201 to 45-5-212 NMSA 1978.
The 2018 amendment,
effective July 1, 2018, reduced the penalty to a penalty assessment misdemeanor a violations of traffic laws applicable to persons riding bicycles, and revised certain statutory references; in Subsection A, after "It is a", added "penalty assessment"; and in Subsection C, deleted "herein" and added "in Sections 66-3-701 through 66-3-707 NMSA 1978".
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 8 - BICYCLES › Section 66-3-702 - Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles.

Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except as to the special regulations within Sections 66-3-701 through 66-3-707 NMSA 1978.
History:
1953 Comp., § 64-3-702, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 101.
ANNOTATIONS
Cross references.
— For traffic laws generally,
see
66-7-2 NMSA 1978 et seq.
Bicyclists are placed in the same duty category
as other vehicular traffic.
Aragon v. Speelman
, 1971-NMCA-161, 83 N.M. 285, 491 P.2d 173.
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references.
— 7A Am. Jur. 2d Automobiles and Highway Traffic § 209.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 8 - BICYCLES › Section 66-3-703 - Riding on bicycles.

A. A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto.
B. No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.
History:
1953 Comp., § 64-3-703, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 102.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 8 - BICYCLES › Section 66-3-704 - Clinging to vehicles.

No person riding upon any bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon a roadway.
History:
1941 Comp., § 68-2443, enacted by Laws 1953, ch. 139, § 96; 1953 Comp., § 64-19-4; recompiled as 1953 Comp., § 64-3-704, by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 103.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 8 - BICYCLES › Section 66-3-705 - Riding on roadways and bicycle paths.

A. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
B. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
C. Notwithstanding any provision of this section, no bicycle shall be operated on any roadway in a manner that would create a public safety hazard.
History:
1953 Comp., § 64-3-705, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 104; 1997, ch. 47, § 1.
ANNOTATIONS
The 1997 amendment,
effective July 1, 1997, rewrote Subsection C, and made stylistic changes throughout the section.
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references.
— State and local government liability for injury or death of bicyclist due to defect or obstruction in public bicycle path, 68 A.L.R.4th 204.
Admissibility and use of evidence of nonuse of bicycle helmets. 2 A.L.R.6th 429.
State and local governmental liability for injury or death of bicyclist due to defect or obstruction in public roadway or sidewalk. 12 A.L.R. 6th 645.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 8 - BICYCLES › Section 66-3-706 - Carrying articles.

No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebar.
History:
1953 Comp., § 64-3-706, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 105.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 8 - BICYCLES › Section 66-3-707 - Lamps and other equipment on bicycles.

A. Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the division which shall be visible from all distances from fifty feet to three hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
B. No person shall operate a bicycle unless it is equipped with a bell or other device capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of at least one hundred feet, except that a bicycle shall not be equipped with, nor shall any person use upon a bicycle any siren or whistle.
C. Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the brake wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
History:
1953 Comp., § 64-3-707, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 106.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 8 - BICYCLES › Section 66-3-708 - Electric-assisted bicycles; labels; standards.

A. Every manufacturer or distributor of new electric-assisted bicycles intended for sale or distribution in New Mexico shall permanently affix to each electric-assisted bicycle, in a prominent location, a label that contains the classification number, top assisted speed and motor wattage of the electric-assisted bicycle. The label shall be printed in arial font in at least nine-point type.
B. A person shall not knowingly modify an electric-assisted bicycle so as to change the speed capability or motor engagement of the electric-assisted bicycle without also appropriately replacing, or causing to be replaced, the label indicating the classification required by Subsection A of this section.
C. An electric-assisted bicycle shall comply with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by the United States consumer product safety commission and codified at 16 CFR 1512 or its successor regulation.
D. A class 2 electric-assisted bicycle shall operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the brakes are applied. Class 1 and class 3 electric-assisted bicycles shall be equipped with a mechanism or circuit that cannot be bypassed and that causes the electric motor to disengage or cease to function when the rider stops pedaling.
E. A class 3 electric-assisted bicycle shall be equipped with a speedometer that displays, in miles per hour, the speed that the electric-assisted bicycle is traveling.
History:
1978 Comp., § 66-3-708, enacted by Laws 2023, ch. 93, § 6.
ANNOTATIONS
Effective dates.
— Laws 2023, ch. 93, § 8 made Laws 2023, ch. 93, § 6 effective July 1, 2023.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 8 - BICYCLES › Section 66-3-709 - Operation of electric-assisted bicycles.

A. A person may ride a class 1 electric-assisted bicycle on a bicycle or pedestrian path where bicycles are authorized to travel; provided that a political subdivision of the state may prohibit the operation of a class 1 electric-assisted bicycle on a bicycle or pedestrian path within its jurisdiction.
B. A person shall not ride a class 2 or class 3 electric-assisted bicycle on a bicycle or pedestrian path unless:
(1) the path is within a street or highway; or
(2) a political subdivision of the state permits the operation of a class 2 or class 3 electric-assisted bicycle on a path under its jurisdiction.
C. A person under sixteen years of age shall not operate a class 3 electric-assisted bicycle upon any street, highway or bicycle or pedestrian path, except that a person under sixteen years of age may ride as a passenger on a class 3 electric-assisted bicycle that is designed to accommodate passengers.
D. This section does not apply to a trail that is specifically designated as non-motorized and that has a natural surface tread that is made by clearing and grading the native soil with no added surfacing materials. A political subdivision of the state or a state agency having jurisdiction over a trail described in this subsection may regulate the use of an electric-assisted bicycle on that trail.
History:
1978 Comp., § 66-3-709, enacted by Laws 2023, ch. 93, § 7.
ANNOTATIONS
Effective dates.
— Laws 2023, ch. 93, § 8 made Laws 2023, ch. 93, § 7 effective July 1, 2023.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 9 - EQUIPMENT › Section 66-3-802 - When lighted lamps are required.

A. Every vehicle upon a highway within this state at any time from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of five hundred feet ahead shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices as respectively required in Sections 66-3-801 through 66-3-887 NMSA 1978 for different classes of vehicles, subject to exceptions with respect to parked vehicles as stated in Section 66-3-825 NMSA 1978.
B. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a penalty assessment misdemeanor.
History:
1953 Comp., § 64-3-802, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 108; 2018, ch. 74, § 28.
ANNOTATIONS
The 2018 amendment,
effective July 1, 2018, provided a penalty for any violation of this section, and added statutory references; added subsection designation "A."; in Subsection A, after "respectively required", added "in Sections 66-3-801 through 66-3-887 NMSA 1978", and after "stated", added "in Section 66-3-825 NMSA 1978"; and added Subsection B.
No reasonable suspicion justifying vehicle stop.
— Where the arresting deputy stated more than once at trial that he could see the defendant's vehicle at 500 yards when the sun was only just setting, there was no reason at all to pull over the defendant's car as there was no safety concern or reasonable suspicion of a violation of this section, and therefore the vehicle stop was illegal.
State v. Joe
, 2003-NMCA-071, 133 N.M. 741, 69 P.3d 251, cert. denied, 2003-NMCERT-005, 133 N.M. 727, 69 P.3d 237.
Proof of defective battery not proof of improper lighting.
— Fact that truck was equipped with a defective battery after an accident does not necessarily mean that the proper lights were not burning on the truck or that the battery was defective prior to an emergency stop. Where trial court made no finding whether the lights were burning or not before or at the time of the accident, a conclusion that the truck was improperly lighted would not flow from the findings as made.
Terrel v. Lowdermilk
, 1964-NMSC-073, 74 N.M. 135, 391 P.2d 419.
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references.
— 7A Am. Jur. 2d Automobiles and Highway Traffic § 189.
Driving motor vehicle without lights or with improper lights as affecting liability for collision, 21 A.L.R.2d 7, 62 A.L.R.3d 560, 62 A.L.R.3d 771, 62 A.L.R.3d 844; 62 A.L.R.3d 560.
Driving motor vehicle without lights or with improper lights as gross negligence or the like warranting recovery by guest under guest statute or similar common-law rule, 21 A.L.R.2d 209.
Contributory negligence of driver or occupant of vehicle driven without lights or with defective or inadequate lights, 67 A.L.R.2d 118, 62 A.L.R.3d 560, 771, 844.
60 C.J.S. Motor Vehicles § 26; 60A C.J.S. Motor Vehicles § 263.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 9 - EQUIPMENT › Section 66-3-803 - Visibility distance and mounted height of lamps.

A. Whenever requirement is hereinafter declared as to the distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible or within which such lamps or devices shall be visible, said provisions shall apply during the times stated in Section 66-3-802 NMSA 1978 in respect to a vehicle without load when upon a straight, level, unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions unless a different time or condition is expressly stated.
B. Whenever requirement is hereinafter declared as to the mounted height of lamps or devices it shall mean from the center of such lamp or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands when such vehicle is without a load.
History:
1953 Comp., § 64-3-803, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 109.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 9 - EQUIPMENT › Section 66-3-804 - Headlamps on motor vehicles.

A. Every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle shall be equipped with at least two headlamps with at least one on each side of the front of the motor vehicle, which headlamps comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in Sections 66-3-801 through 66-3-887 NMSA 1978.
B. Every motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one and not more than two headlamps that comply with the requirements and limitations of Sections 66-3-801 through 66-3-887 NMSA 1978.
C. Every headlamp upon every motor vehicle, including every motorcycle, shall be located at a height measured from the center of the headlamp of not more than fifty-four inches or less than twenty inches to be measured as set forth in Subsection B of Section 66-3-803 NMSA 1978. The provisions of this subsection apply only to new motor vehicles sold after July 1, 1953.
D. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a penalty assessment misdemeanor.
History:
1953 Comp., § 64-3-804, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 110; 1981, ch. 361, § 12; 2018, ch. 74, § 29.
ANNOTATIONS
The 2018 amendment,
effective July 1, 2018, provided a penalty for any violation of this section, and made technical changes; and added Subsection D.
Negligence per se to drive automobile with only one headlight.
Silva v. Waldie
, 1938-NMSC-048, 42 N.M. 514, 82 P.2d 282.
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references.
— 7A Am. Jur. 2d Automobiles and Highway Traffic § 190.
60 C.J.S. Motor Vehicles § 26; 60A C.J.S. Motor Vehicles § 263.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 9 - EQUIPMENT › Section 66-3-805 - Tail lamps.

A. Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer and any other vehicle that is being drawn at the end of a train of vehicles shall be equipped with at least one tail lamp mounted on the rear that, when lighted as required in Section 66-3-802 NMSA 1978, emits a red light plainly visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear; provided that, in the case of a train of vehicles, only the tail lamp on the rearmost vehicle need actually be seen from the distance specified. Every such vehicle, other than a truck tractor, registered in this state and manufactured or assembled after July 1, 1953 shall be equipped with at least two tail lamps mounted on the rear that when lighted as required in Section 66-3-802 NMSA 1978 comply with the provisions of this section.
B. Every tail lamp upon every vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than seventy-two inches or less than twenty inches.
C. Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it clearly legible from a distance of fifty feet to the rear. Any tail lamp, together with any separate lamp for illuminating the rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the headlamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.
D. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a penalty assessment misdemeanor.
History:
1953 Comp., § 64-3-805, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 111; 2018, ch. 74, § 30.
ANNOTATIONS
Cross references.
— For the definition of "truck tractor",
see
66-1-4.17 NMSA 1978.
The 2018 amendment,
effective July 1, 2018, provided a penalty for any violation of this section, added statutory references, and made technical changes; in Subsection A, after the first occurrence of "when lighted as required", deleted "shall emit" and added "in Section 66-3-802 NMSA 1978, emits", and after the second occurrence of "when lighted as required", deleted "shall" and added "in Section 66-3-802 NMSA 1978"; and added Subsection D.
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references.
— 7A Am. Jur. 2d Automobiles and Highway Traffic § 788.
2023 New Mexico Statutes › Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles › Part 9 - EQUIPMENT › Section 66-3-806 - New motor vehicles to be equipped with reflectors.

A. Every new motor vehicle hereafter sold and operated upon a highway, other than a truck tractor, shall carry on the rear, either as a part of the tail lamps or separately, two red reflectors, except that every motorcycle shall carry at least one reflector, meeting the requirements of this section, and except that vehicles of the type mentioned in Section 66-3-809 NMSA 1978 shall be equipped with reflectors as required in those sections applicable to those vehicles.
B. Every reflector shall be mounted on the vehicle at a height not less than twenty inches or more than sixty inches measured as set forth in Subsection B of Section 66-3-803 NMSA 1978 and shall be of such size and characteristics and so mounted as to be visible at night from all distances within three hundred feet to fifty feet from the vehicle when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps, except that visibility from a greater distance is hereinafter required of reflectors on certain types of vehicles.
C. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a penalty assessment misdemeanor.
History:
1953 Comp., § 64-3-806, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 112; 1981, ch. 361, § 13; 2018, ch. 74, § 31.
ANNOTATIONS
Cross references.
— For definitions of "moped" and "motorcycle",
see
66-1-4.11 NMSA 1978.
For the definition of "truck tractor",
see
66-1-4.17 NMSA 1978.
The 2018 amendment,
effective July 1, 2018, provided a penalty for any violation of this section, and made technical changes; and added Subsection C.
Reflector's purpose defeated where car parked facing traffic.
— The effect and purpose of the reflectors on the rear of defendant's automobile was defeated through defendant's parking his automobile on the wrong side of the street and facing oncoming traffic.
Chavira v. Carnahan
, 1967-NMSC-040, 77 N.M. 467, 423 P.2d 988.