New Mexico
What New Mexico asks of a teen driver before the first license, from the practice hours to the road test.
50hours
of supervised practice, including 10 at night
- Permit
- Instructional Permit
- License
- Provisional License
- Practice can start at
- 15 years old
Depends on your answer
Has an eye doctor excused your child from night driving?
- Yes, we have the reportThe 10 night hours are waived. Keep the report with the log.
Before the road test
- Six months on the permitThe permit is held six months, plus 30 days for each traffic violation while on the permit.
- Minimum age15 years, 6 months
- Clean recordNo pending citation when applying. Each violation on the permit adds 30 days to the wait.
- Driver education certificateBring the Traffic Safety Bureau certificate of completion. The course also unlocks the permit.
- Signed driving logA parent or guardian signs the log. Bring it to the MVD office with the provisional licence application.
Where this comes from
- Apply for a learner’s permit
- Driver procedures manual, chapter 3: instructional permit
- Driver forms
- NMSA 1978 chapter 66 — sections 66-5-5 and 66-5-8
Moonroof checked these sources on October 9, 2026. Rules change, so check with the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division before booking the road test.