How to Renew a New Mexico Driver's License [2024]

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Renew Your New Mexico Driver License

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In Person

Your New Mexico driver license will be valid for 4 or 8 years. It is illegal to drive without a valid driver license, so you are required to renew it up to 90 days before or 30 days after its expiration date.

You may renew your license in person at any MVD field office. If your current license is not a REAL ID (doesn’t have a yellow star in the top right-hand corner), you will have to bring extra documents to get a REAL ID driver license. Note that you won’t be able to use another type of license to board a plane or enter federal facilities where ID is required after October 1, 2020.

Plan of Action:

1. VISIT AN MVD FIELD OFFICE: There are state-owned and privately-owned offices. Note that private offices require extra fees for their services. Find an MVD office near you. No appointment is needed.

2. BRING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION: To get a REAL ID, you must bring:

   • Proof of identity
   • Proof of identification number (SSN)
   • 2 proofs of NM residency

   Choose the documents with the help of this list to avoid another trip to the MVD.

   If you don’t have enough documents to get a REAL ID, you may get a driver authorization card. To get it, bring:

   • Your current license
   • One more form of identity

   Documents not in English must be translated and the translation must be certified by the translator as full and complete.

3. PAY THE LICENSE FEE:

   • $18.00 for a 4-year license
   • $34.00 for an 8-year license

4. SURRENDER YOUR CURRENT LICENSE: It will be punched and returned to you with your temporary license which will be valid for 45 days.

5. PASS REQUIRED TESTS (FOR EXPIRED LICENSES ONLY): If your license expired more than a year ago, you will have to pass the written test. If your license expired more than 5 years ago, you will also take the road exam.

Your New Mexico driver license will be valid for another 4 or 8 years. It will be processed and sent to you by mail within 45 days. You may check the status of your license online.

Find an MVD office near you

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By Mail

New Mexico MVD doesn’t offer renewals by mail at this time.

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Online

The easiest way to renew is to do it online. However, you may renew online only if all of the following is true:

• Your current license was issued after November 12, 2016.
• Your current license is valid or expired less than a year ago.
• You are between 18 and 75 years of age.

Plan of Action:

1. Go to the MVD Online Portal and choose online renewal.
2. Enter the following information:
   • Your license number
   • Name and date of birth
   • Last 4 digits of your ID (SSN, Matricula, Passport)
3. Pay the fee of 18.00 for a 4-year license or $34.00 for an 8-year license.
4. Print your temporary license. Your new license will be mailed to you.

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Renewing in a different state?