Bureau Approved DWI Prevention and Education Programs
Revised February 4, 2016
MVD Policy (TAPESTRY related procedural/policy change 2016)
A certificate of completion (COC) from an approved driver’s education course, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), or “None for the Road” (NFR) will all be acceptable evidence of successful completion of an approved DWI prevention and education course.
Clarification:
Minors: An applicant under eighteen years of age, who is making an application for a first New Mexico driver’s license, shall submit evidence that the applicant has successfully completed a driver education course approved by the bureau that included a DWI prevention education component.
Approved courses now include:
- Drivers education certificate of completion (COC) from an approved Driving School, or;
- Verification/evidence of a completed driver education course from another state; if the driver education course substantially meets the requirements of the bureau for a course offered in New Mexico and included a DWI prevention education component.
If the verification/evidence provided does not indicate the inclusion of a DWI prevention education component, the out of state evidence may be accompanied by either:
- None for the Road (NFR) certificate of completion or,
- Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) certificate of completion.
Adults: Every first time license applicant between the ages of 18 and 24 must present a Certificate of Completion (regardless of date completed) for the self-taught, “None for the Road” DWI Awareness Class offered by UNM Continuing Education.
- A Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) certificate of completion may substitute for the “None for the Road” requirement;
- A driver’s education certificate of completion from an approved Driving School (regardless of date completed) may also substitute for the “None for the Road” requirement.
Permits: (66-5-8 NMSA) A person fifteen years of age or older who is enrolled in and attending or has completed a driver education course approved by the bureau that includes a DWI prevention and education component may apply to the division for an instruction permit.
Applicants who are over 18 and enrolled in an approved Drivers Education course may apply for a permit prior to receiving a certificate of completion (COC) for the course. We may accept proof of enrollment in an approved Drivers Education course – but only towards receiving a permit.
Applicants over 18 years of age will not be able to obtain a full Class D or Class E license credential without either the Drivers Education, None for the Road, or Motorcycle Safety Foundation certificate of completion.
Adults: Every applicant 25 years of age and over who has ever been convicted of DWI, and who is applying for his first New Mexico driver’s license, must also submit evidence that they have (ever – there is no time limit) successfully completed an approved DWI prevention and education program.
- A Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) certificate of completion may substitute for the “None for the Road” requirement;
- A Drivers education certificate of completion from an approved Driving School (regardless of date completed) may also substitute for the “None for the Road” requirement.