Chapter 5, Section B:
Title and Registration Requirements
Revised October 5, 2011
Vehicle Title and Registration Requirements:
- New Mexico Residence Address
Required (66-3-4.A1)
The applicant for Title and Registration must provide a bona fide
New Mexico residence address and mailing address. Reject the
application if the applicant does not have a New Mexico residence
address. Exceptions: Vehicles registered to a business may use a New
Mexico business address instead of a residence address, and RVs when
possession taken in NM.
NOTE: Post Office box numbers are NOT acceptable as residence
addresses. However, they may be recorded as mailing addresses.
- Affirmation of Insurance
(66-5-208 NMSA)
The Mandatory Financial Responsibility Act (MFRA) of 1984 requires
that every owner of a motor vehicle registered in New Mexico be able
to demonstrate proof of financial responsibility for liability for
damages that may arise from the operation of a motor vehicle. If
applicant affirms financial responsibility, continue to process.
Minimum requirements:
- $25,000/bodily injury to or death of one person in any one
accident
- $50,000/bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any
one accident
- $10,000/injury to or destruction of property of others in any one
accident
- Owner’s Signature
The applicant or the authorized representative must sign, in ink, on
the Title Application. If a representative is signing for the owner,
a notarized power of attorney is required.
- Vehicle Identification Number
Inspection (VIN Inspection)
A VIN inspection is required for every vehicle coming to New Mexico
from another jurisdiction.
NOTE: Inspections done outside of New Mexico must be recorded on form MVD-10861
“Affidavit of VIN” or the other jurisdiction's equivalent VIN inspection form that contains all of the
required information. The form must be signed by an inspector
certified in the state where the inspection was performed.
- NCIC Clearance
Section 66-3-8 NMSA 1978 requires that, for every application for
original registration of a vehicle or for a vehicle certificate of
title, TRD-MVD shall first check the vehicle identification number
(VIN) against the records of the National Crime Information Center
(NCIC) to confirm that the vehicle is not listed as stolen. (PQU#68)
Confirmation that the NCIC check has returned “no record” or "clear" must be
included with the title and registration documents submitted for
microfilming. Confirmation must be noted on the surrendered title,
Affidavit of VIN, Title Application or other title document, with
the date the NCIC check was run and the name of the individual who
ran the check.
- Plate-To-Owner Upon Sale of
Registered Vehicle
The owner
of a vehicle titled and registered in New Mexico, upon sale or
transfer of ownership, is responsible for removing the license plate
from the vehicle. The owner
then has 30 days to register and place this plate on another vehicle
of the same class or return it to the Motor Vehicle Division for
cancellation. Motor Vehicle Division personnel should inform owners
of this requirement.
Exception: The plate assigned to a permanently registered utility or
travel trailer does not go with the owner but stays with the
trailer.
- Emission Certificate of Inspection –
Residents of Bernalillo County (66-3-7.1)
(See Chapter 2 Section H.) Upon transfer of
ownership, and every two years thereafter, all vehicles with a model
year of 1977 or newer and less than 10,001 lbs. gross vehicle
weight, must be tested for emissions, for residents of Bernalillo
County.
An Emission Certificate of Inspection, which certifies that
the vehicle passed emissions, or was granted an exemption or a time
extension, must accompany the documentation before the Motor Vehicle
Division will register the vehicle. New motor vehicles being titled
and registered for the first time with an MCO as the ownership
document are exempt from the emission requirement for the first two
years. Diesel powered vehicles are exempt from the emission
requirement.
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