Do You Need Insurance to Register a Car in New Mexico in 2025
New Mexico law mandates motor vehicle liability insurance for all vehicles operated on public roadways. Under New Mexico Statutes Annotated Sections 66-5-201 through 66-5-239, vehicle owners must establish and maintain financial responsibility before operating a motor vehicle in the state. The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division administers vehicle registration and enforces insurance compliance through the New Mexico Insurance Identification Database. The requirement applies to both initial vehicle registration and registration renewal.
Legal Requirement for Insurance Coverage
New Mexico Statutes Annotated Sections 66-5-201 through 66-5-239 establish the Mandatory Financial Responsibility Act, which requires residents who own and operate motor vehicles upon the highways of the state to have the ability to respond in damages to accidents or obtain a motor vehicle insurance policy. Under NMSA 66-5-205, no owner shall permit the operation of an uninsured motor vehicle upon the streets or highways of New Mexico unless specifically exempted.
Vehicle owners must maintain continuous insurance coverage throughout the registration period. Operating a vehicle without established financial responsibility constitutes a violation of New Mexico law and may result in vehicle registration suspension, license plate confiscation, fines up to $300, up to 90 days of jail time, and a $30 reinstatement fee.
New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division
P.O. Box 1028, Santa Fe, NM 87504-1028
Phone: (888) 683-4636
Official Website: New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division
Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements
New Mexico Statutes Annotated Section 66-5-208 establishes minimum amounts for evidence of financial responsibility. The New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance regulates insurance companies operating in the state. New Mexico requires drivers to maintain liability insurance coverage that meets or exceeds statutory minimum amounts.
| Coverage Type | Minimum Amount |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury or death of one person | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury or death of two or more persons | $50,000 total |
| Property damage | $10,000 |
The minimum coverage requirements apply to liability insurance only. New Mexico law does not mandate collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, or medical payments coverage, though lenders typically require comprehensive and collision coverage for financed vehicles. Alternative methods of demonstrating financial responsibility include surety bonds or cash deposits totaling $60,000 on deposit with the New Mexico State Treasurer.
New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance
P.O. Box 1689, Santa Fe, NM 87504-1689
Phone: (855) 427-5674
Official Website: New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance
Proof of Insurance Documents
New Mexico requires vehicle operators to carry proof of motor vehicle liability insurance at all times while operating a motor vehicle. Vehicle owners must provide acceptable documentation during registration and maintain proof while driving. The following formats are accepted:
- Current automobile insurance card issued by the insurance company
- Copy of current automobile insurance policy
- Letter from automobile insurance company on company letterhead verifying insurance coverage
New Mexico law enforcement officers may request proof of insurance during traffic stops, accidents, or vehicle inspections. Failure to provide acceptable proof may result in license plate confiscation and citations. The Motor Vehicle Division tracks all registered vehicles through the Insurance Identification Database to ensure compliance with financial responsibility requirements.
Exceptions to Insurance Requirements
Limited exceptions to the financial responsibility requirement exist under New Mexico law pursuant to NMSA 66-5-207:
- Motor vehicles owned by the United States government, any state, or any political subdivision of a state
- Implements of husbandry or special mobile equipment that are only incidentally operated on a highway
- Motor vehicles operated upon a highway only for crossing from one property to another
- Commercial motor vehicles registered or proportionally registered in New Mexico and any other jurisdiction, provided such vehicles are covered by insurance or equivalent coverage complying with the laws of any other jurisdiction in which registered
- Motor vehicles approved as self-insured by the Superintendent of Insurance pursuant to NMSA 66-5-207.1
- Motor vehicles when the owner has submitted to the department a signed statement declaring the vehicle will not be operated on New Mexico highways
Insurance Requirements for Vehicle Registration
The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division verifies insurance coverage before processing vehicle registration applications and renewals. Vehicle owners must provide proof of insurance showing the Vehicle Identification Number when registering a vehicle for the first time in New Mexico or when renewing an existing registration. If the insurance card does not include the VIN identifier, customers may provide a current policy declaration document to evidence current coverage.
New Mexico residents who establish residency must register their vehicles within 30 days. New residents must obtain New Mexico insurance coverage meeting state minimum requirements before completing vehicle registration. Persons gainfully employed in New Mexico for 30 days or more within a 60-day period shall be presumed to be New Mexico residents subject to registration requirements.
New Mexico motorists may renew vehicle registration online through the Motor Vehicle Division website, at kiosks, through the Interactive Voice Response system, by mail, or in person at Motor Vehicle Division field offices. The Financial Responsibility Bureau tracks all registered vehicles to ensure compliance. Vehicle owners who receive Notice of Noncompliance must provide proof of current insurance within 30 days or face registration suspension and a $30 reinstatement fee.
