NM Driver's License

So I'm finally getting my NM DL. Since about 2010, NM requires foreign nationals seeking a DL or an ID to make an appointment at a government-run (not private) MVD office.

I'm using the following documents:
Proof of ID# = Mexican Passport, no visa on any page
Proof of ID = Birth Certificate, translated from Spanish about two years ago
Proof of Residency (2)= Bank Statement and UNM Enrollment Certification (I actually live here, haha)

Since I'm under 24, I also had to complete the "None for the Road" Program, which was a short online course that taught you not to drink and drive.

I am pretty confident that this is going to work. However, I am concerned that both the Birth Certificate and the None for the Road certification are about two years old; this may be a reason that I might get rejected.

tl;dr
Does anybody have experience with this new system that requires you to make an appointment? Is it a trap? Do I need to bring copies of the documents? Do you guys think they'll give the DL to me?
Also, post your experiences getting the NM DL.

No experience with this, but hope this works for you.

Yes. We actually just got done doing this for my wife. It was a pain; we made too many mistakes, and since you must make an appointment, it took us a long time.

Have you taken the written and driving tests already? Did you make an appointment for the "First Time Foreign National DL"? When we first did it, we signed up for the "Road Test" appointment, thinking we had to do it separate, but if you make the "First Time Foreign National" appointment, you can do it all at once (just make sure you pass!!). You don't need an appointment to take the written test. Also, make sure you have the proper insurance for the car you're using for the Road Test.

I would just bring every single document for proof of identification and residence that you can think of. For some reason, even though the website says certain requirements, when we got their, they asked for different things. We actually had to argue with a person at one point and told them that MVD does accept ITIN as a proof of "Identification Number".

Also, make sure you use the same document for proof of "Identification Number". If you take the written test using your Passport, then make sure you bring your passport again when you go to actually get the DLs (if you do it different times).

Also, make sure that all of your proofs of ID are not expired (ie. your passport and matricula consular card), and make sure you keep them current because you'll need to use them when/if you renew your license.

My wife's birth certificate was translated like five years ago, and they accepted it. As for the None For the Road being two years old, I have no idea. I looked and I couldn't find anything that said an "expiration date". And I can't find on the MVD website that they accept School Enrollment Forms. I only saw that document to be acceptable for minors or for your children. Either way, make sure your Proofs of Residency or not older than three months, and if it's a utility bill or anything like that, it can't be the "Final Bill" or they won't accept it.

I'm guessing you're a guy? If you're a girl and you get married and want your new last name, everything has to be changed to show your new last name or they won't use that name on the DL. And I mean everything: passport, ITIN, utility bills, ect...

This was probably too much info, but I just thought I would share with you so you might not make all the same mistakes that we did. It took us almost 6 months to get this done... For some reason, at the time we were trying to do it, appointments were only available like a month out, and we had to make three different appointments. If you forget one document, they're unrelenting, and they make you make a new appointment.

It's not a trap. It was fine. At one point we drove to Las Cruces because they had appointments sooner there. That was a long drive and we passed through a Customs and Border Inspection Point. I'm guessing you're going to an office in ABQ?

We didn't need copies. They make all the copies that they need.

When it's all over and you're about to leave, make sure you have all your documents with you that you had brought in. Twice, the office accidentally kept the scores of her tests and one other piece of paper.

Also, make sure they have your correct, current address or you'll have to go back in and repay when you don't receive the DL in the mail.

Use this link to check the status of your DL once you apply for it:
https://secure.mvd.newmexico.gov/Lic...s/Default.aspx

They accept cash, check, and credit card (but not visa, and not debit).

Good luck! I'm sure you'll get it. It's not really as hard as it seems, but just don't forget anything at your house, or you'll have to try again!

did this take 6 months because thats what time span it regularly takes or was it because you guys had trouble that delayed the process?

Rufus,
Thank you very much, that's very helpful.

I was looking at the residence requirements and found this for people over 18:
"Original documents from a New Mexico community organization, or from a city, county, state, tribal or federal government organization, attesting to the fact that the applicant is a New Mexico resident "
I think that an enrollment certification from a state school (UNM) mailed to my address would fulfill this requirement. Also I just called a private MVD office (because I had their number on hand) and asked; the lady said that UNM Enrollment Certification would be okay.

Furthermore, I called a government office and asked about my None for the Road certificate being a few years old and they said it was Okay.

Also, yes you're correct: gotta make sure you schedule an appointment for "Foreign Nationals" not "Road Test"... Here's the site, make sure you choose "First Time Foreign National DL/ID" (https://secure.mvd.newmexico.gov/mvdappointments/)


Sdreamer11:
I think it took that long because they made mistakes and had to keep going back to the office. You have to schedule your appointment with a month of advance.
After you complete the eye, written, and road tests, they give you a temporary license and you should receive the real one in the mail within 30 days.


I hope this helps some people.
Please contribute, if you have something to add!

Ya. It just took us that long because we kept forgetting things and scheduled the wrong appointment. My wife had taken the written and driving tests under her Passport Number and then when we went to get the license, we brought the ITIN because it had her new last name (since we got married) but they need to use the same number as before, but the Passport didn't have her new last name. So we ended up making 3 different appointments. And, as was said before, you have to make the appointments a month in advance, so it took us longer than normal.

Im actually on the same boat as oscarg. im getting ready to go down in 2 weeks and renew my 3 year old expired driver's license....., so ones you make the apointment and go to it, they check your documents and have you take the writing exam right away or give you a date to take the exam? or you have to have already taking it? ... by the way anyone has a link to the MVD book they have to study for the writing exam.
thanks everyone this is a lot of help

Make sure your translations are signed by a legal translator and a second signature of a public notary. Believe me it will save you time.

ok guys i just spent all morning making phone calls to the mvd's all over cause the somehow they contradicted eachother.
bottom line here is how the process goes:
1. take the written test BEFORE you go to your "first time foreing National DL" apointment.
- to take written test just go to any MVD office any day M-F , no appointment required for this one.
- to take written test you only need your foreing passport (to confirm identity)
- Make sure you study and study hard, if you dont pass it you have to wait 15 days to retake it.
the links to the manuals are bellow
http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/SiteCol...assets/dlm.pdf (english)
http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/SiteCol...ssets/dlms.pdf (spanish)
2. make your "First Time Foreign National DL" appointment. they are so packed that sometimes you wont find one open within a month so schedule ahead of time
- During this appointment they will check all your documents ( the ones oscarg pointed out earlier) AND also have you take the DRIVING TEST (now you know why you need to take that written test before)
3. make sure you bring that same exact passport of yours that you used to take the written test to this apointment otherwise they WILL NOT accept you.
4. last but not least make sure you have your car insurance up to date and the car you are going to drive during the road test is 100% ready, no light bulbs burned, horn working etc etc..., my brother had a door handle broken ones and the officer didnt even bother to get in. she said come back ones your car is 100% ready lol

Thanks RUFUS for taking it for the team and letting us learn from your mistakes
my 2 cents for the forum good luck to everyone.

Haha! Your welcome?? It was a very big pain. Like you said, make sure you bring the same exact passport that you used to take the written test and driving test; when my wife had taken the written test and driving test, we still weren't married. When we got married, we changed her passport to include her married name, and we didn't notice that the passport number changed. When we went back to actually get the driver's license, they couldn't find any of her records because the number had changed and we didn't even know why. We finally figured it out, but they made her retake all the tests anyways...

So yeah... No problem! I just hope that nobody else has to go through that. It was pretty stressful for us. My wife works, and I go to school full time, and I didn't want her driving without a DL. So we had to figure out our schedules so I could take her to work and pick her up, and still be able to make it to my classes.

Good luck to everyone else!