FRONT AND BACK LICENSE PLATES

SB0069

SENATE BILL 69

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Michael Padilla

AN ACT

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; REQUIRING REGISTRATION PLATES TO BE
ATTACHED TO THE FRONT AND THE REAR OF A MOTOR VEHICLE;
PROVIDING EXCEPTIONS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

SECTION 1.
Section 66-3-10 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978,
Chapter 35, Section 30, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-3-10. DEPARTMENT TO ISSUE CERTIFICATE OF TITLE,
EVIDENCE OF REGISTRATION, REGISTRATION PLATE AND VALIDATION
STICKER--RELEASE OF LIEN--ODOMETER STATEMENT.--

A. The department, upon registration of a vehicle,
shall issue a certificate of title and evidence of
registration; an odometer statement may appear on one or both
of these documents.

B. Except for certificates of title issued pursuant
to Section 66-3-2, 66-3-27 or 66-3-423 NMSA 1978 and for
manufactured homes, school buses, state government vehicles,
motorcycles and off-highway motor vehicles, upon issuance of a
new certificat
e of title or upon transfer of a certificate of
title, the department shall issue [
a
] registration [
plate
]

plates
and [
a
] validation [
sticker
]
stickers
to the owner of
the vehicle.

C. The registration evidence shall be delivered to
the owner and shall contain upon its face the date issued, the
name and address of the owner, the registration number assigned
to the owner and such description of the vehicle registered to
the owner as determined by the secretary.

D. The certificate of title shall contain the
identical information required on the registration evidence and
in addition a statement of the owner's title and of all liens
and encumbrances upon the vehicle.

E. The certificate of title shall contain a space
for the release of any lien, space for assignment of title or
interest and warranty by the owner and space for notation of
liens and encumbrances upon the vehicle at the time of
transfer.

F. The certificate of title shall be delivered to
the owner in the event no lien or encumbrances appear thereon,
otherwise the certificate of title shall be delivered to the
person named to receive it in the application for certificate.

G. Whenever the owner of a vehicle subject to
registration transfers the person's title or interest in the
vehicle to a nonresident who desires to title the vehicle in
the state of the nonresident's residence, the department upon
receiving application and the payment of the proper fee shall
issue a certificate of title only and record on the certificate
all liens and encumbrances."

SECTION 2.
Section 66-3-14 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978,
Chapter 35, Section 34, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-3-14. REGISTRATION PLATES OR VALIDATING STICKERS TO
BE FURNISHED BY DEPARTMENT--REFLECTIVE MATERIAL.--

A. The department upon registering a vehicle shall
issue [
a
] registration [
plate
]
plates
or [
a
] validating
[
sticker
]
stickers
to the owner of the vehicle,
except for a
trailer, a tractor, a manufactured home, a motorcycle or an
off-highway motor vehicle, for which the department shall issue
one registration plate or validating sticker
. The validating
[
sticker
]
stickers
may be designed and required to be placed on
the registration [
plate
]
plates
or elsewhere on the vehicle as
prescribed by the department.

B. Each registration plate shall have a background
of reflective material such that the registration number
assigned to the vehicle is plainly legible from a distance of
one hundred feet at night. The colors shall include those of
the state flag, except prestige and special plates.

C. Each registration plate shall have displayed
upon it:

(1) the registration number assigned to the
person to whom it was issued; and

(2) the name of this state.

D. The department shall issue no registration
plates for privately owned vehicles that contain the words
"staff officer" or any other title except as otherwise provided
by law.

E. All registration plates for private vehicles
shall be alike in form except for the owner's registration
number. The department shall adopt registration number systems
for registration plates.

F. In lieu of or in addition to [
a
] registration
[
plate or sticker
]
plates or stickers
for commercial motor
vehicles, the department may issue an electronic identifying
device."

SECTION 3.
Section 66-3-17 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978,
Chapter 35, Section 37, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-3-17. REGISTRATION PLATE--REPLACEMENT OF PLATE.--

A. Succeeding registration renewals of the
registration [
plate
]
plates
issued under Section 66-3-14 NMSA
1978 shall cause the division to issue [
a
] validating [
sticker
]

stickers
only, except as provided in Subsections B and C of
this section.

B. The person to whom the [
plate is
]
plates are

issued may, at any time, apply for the issuance of [
a
]
duplicate or replacement [
plate
]
plates
, and upon the surrender
of the registration [
plate he
]
plates the person
then has,
along with the payment of a reasonable fee set by the director
that will cover the cost of the production and distribution of
the [
plate
]
plates
, the applicant shall be issued [
a
] duplicate
or replacement [
plate
]
plates
.

C. Any peace officer may, upon discovering that
[
the
]
a
registration plate of any vehicle is illegible because
of wear or damage or other cause, issue a citation to the owner
or operator of the vehicle. The citation shall provide that
the owner shall, within thirty days from the date of the
citation, apply for and obtain a duplicate or replacement plate
from the division."

SECTION 4.
Section 66-3-18 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978,
Chapter 35, Section 38, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-3-18. DISPLAY OF REGISTRATION PLATES AND TEMPORARY
REGISTRATION PERMITS--DISPLAYS PROHIBITED AND ALLOWED.--

A. The registration [
plate
]
plates
shall be
attached to the
front and the
rear of the vehicle for which [
it
is
]
the plates are
issued, [
however, the registration plate
shall be attached to the front of a road tractor or truck
tractor
]
except for a trailer, a tractor, a manufactured home,
a motorcycle or an off-highway motor vehicle, in which case the
registration plate shall be attached to the rear of the
vehicle
. The [
plate
]
plates
shall be securely fastened at all
times in a fixed horizontal position at a height of not less
than twelve inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom
of the plate. [
It
]
The plates
shall be in a place and position
so as to be clearly visible, and [
it
]
the plates
shall be
maintained free from foreign material and in a condition to be
clearly legible.

B. A demonstration or temporary registration permit
shall be firmly affixed to the inside left rear window of the
vehicle to which it is issued, unless such display presents a
safety hazard or the demonstration or temporary registration
permit is not visible or readable from that position, in which
case, the demonstration or temporary registration permit shall
be displayed in such a manner that it is clearly visible from
the rear or left side of the vehicle.

C. No vehicle while being operated on the highways
of this state shall have displayed either on the front or the
rear of the vehicle any registration plate, including
validating sticker, other than one issued or validated for the
current registration period by the department or any other
licensing authority having jurisdiction over the vehicle. No
expired registration plate or validating sticker shall be
displayed on the vehicle. [
other than an expired special
registration plate, which may be exhibited on the front of the
vehicle

D. Nothing contained in this section shall be
construed as prohibiting the use of a promotional or
advertising plate on the front of the vehicle.

E.
]
D.
A violation of a provision of this section
is a penalty assessment misdemeanor."

SECTION 5.
Section 66-3-19 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978,
Chapter 35, Section 39, as amended by Laws 1995, Chapter 44,
Section 2 and also by Laws 1995, Chapter 135, Section 12) is
amended to read:

"66-3-19. RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION--STAGGERED PERIOD FOR
VEHICLES--EXCEPTION FOR MANUFACTURED HOMES AND FREIGHT

TRAILERS--LATE REGISTRATION.--

A. The department, in order to operate a more
uniform system of vehicle registration, is authorized for
certain or all vehicles to:

(1) prorate registration fees by quarterly
increments for periods in excess of twelve months, but not
exceeding twenty-four months;

(2) determine the specific registered vehicle
owners and the numbers of these to be assigned to each
registration period in order to maintain the system;

(3) notify each registered vehicle owner by
mail at the last known address within an appropriate period
prior to the expiration of the current registration period.
The notice shall include a renewal-of-registration application
form specifying the amount of registration fees due and the
specific dates of the registration period covered by the
renewal application;

(4) provide for the retention of registration
plates;

(5) provide for the issuance of validating
stickers to be affixed either to retained registration plates
or elsewhere on the vehicles as prescribed by the department to
signify the registration of the vehicles for the current
registration period; and

(6) provide for identification purposes
clearly recognizable distinctions between current and expired
registration plates and validation stickers. To this end, the
department, by whatever system or device the secretary may
direct that is approved by the chief of the New Mexico state
police division of the department of public safety, shall
ensure a practicable display of the proper and current
registration of vehicles.

B. Certificates of title need not be renewed
annually but shall remain valid until canceled by the
department for cause or upon transfer of any interest shown in
the certificate of title.

C. The vehicle registration of vehicles registered
under the provisions of Subsection A of this section expires on
the last day of the period for which the vehicle has been
registered. Every vehicle registration other than vehicles
registered in accordance with Subsection A of this section,
manufactured homes and freight trailers expires December 31.
The department may receive applications for renewal of
registration and may issue new registration evidence and
registration plates or validating stickers at any time prior to
expiration of the current registration.

D. The registration of a manufactured home or
freight trailer need not be renewed annually, and the initial
registration shall be effective and considered a current
registration for the purpose of the Motor Vehicle Code as long
as the ownership of the vehicle is not transferred. The
transfer of title provisions of the Motor Vehicle Code do apply
to manufactured homes and freight trailers, and the transferee
is required to register the vehicle in accordance with Section
66-3-103 NMSA 1978. The department is authorized and directed
to issue distinctive registration plates for manufactured homes
and freight trailers that identify the plates as permanent
registration plates.

E. It is unlawful to operate or transport or cause
to be transported upon any highways in this state any vehicle,
except a commercial motor vehicle registered in another state
or a manufactured home, subject to registration under the
provisions of the Motor Vehicle Code without having paid the
registration fee or without having secured and constantly
displayed the registration [
plate
]
plates
required by the Motor
Vehicle Code. If a vehicle, other than a manufactured home, is
operated or transported after the expiration of the vehicle
registration, the owner of the vehicle is subject to a penalty
of the greater of ten dollars ($10.00) or, if the vehicle is
operated or transported thirty-one or more days after the
expiration of the registration, an amount equal to seventy-five
percent of the registration fee. Any duly appointed deputy or
agent of the department has the authority to seize the vehicle
and hold it until the fee, penalty and any fine that may be
imposed for violation of law are paid and may sell the vehicle
in the manner provided by law for the distraint and sale of
personal property.

F. It is unlawful to operate, transport or cause to
be transported upon any highways in this state or to maintain
in any place in this state a manufactured home subject to
registration under the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Code
without having paid the registration fee or without having
secured and constantly displayed the registration plate
required by the Motor Vehicle Code. Violation of this
subsection subjects the owner to a penalty of five dollars
($5.00), and no other administrative penalty for failure to
register under the Motor Vehicle Code shall be imposed upon
manufactured homes that are subject to the provisions of
Section 66-6-10 NMSA 1978. Any duly appointed deputy or agent
of the department has authority to seize the manufactured home
and hold it until the fee, penalties and any fine that may be
imposed for violation of law are paid and may sell the
manufactured home in the manner provided by law for the
distraint and sale of personal property.

G. This section authorizes a staggered system of
registration of vehicles."

SECTION 6.
Section 66-3-104 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978,
Chapter 35, Section 51, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-3-104. USE OF PLATE AND REGISTRATION NUMBER ON
ANOTHER VEHICLE--TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION.--

A. When the owner of a registered vehicle assigns
title or interest to the vehicle, the registration of that
vehicle expires, unless the vehicle is registered for an
extended registration period and the owner applies to have the
registration number assigned to another vehicle as provided in
Subsection B of this section.

B. When the owner of a registered vehicle assigns
title or interest to the vehicle, [
he
]
the owner
shall remove
and retain the registration [
plate
]
plates
from the vehicle
and, within thirty days of the transfer, either make
application to have the registration number assigned to another
vehicle of the same class or forward the [
plate
]
plates
to the
department or its authorized agent to be destroyed. The
transfer of the registration [
plate
]
plates
shall be permitted
only if the application for transfer is made in the name of the
original registered owner unless the owner's name has been
changed by marriage, divorce or court order.

C. The registration [
plate
]
plates
shall not be
displayed upon the newly acquired vehicle until the
registration of the vehicle has been completed and a new
registration certificate issued. However, the temporary
retail-sale permit issued for the vehicle by the dealer
pursuant to the provisions of Section 66-3-6 NMSA 1978 may be
securely attached to the [
plate
]
plates
to be transferred and
displayed in accordance with Subsection A of Section 66-3-18
NMSA 1978."

SECTION 7.
Section 66-3-406 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978,
Chapter 35, Section 85, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-3-406. SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES FOR PRIVATE
VEHICLES.--

A. Upon compliance with all laws relating to
registration and licensing of motor vehicles and upon
application to the division, special registration plates shall
be furnished for vehicles owned by:

(1) elected state officials;

(2) members of the legislature;

(3) the chief clerks of the house of
representatives and of the senate;

(4) the sergeants at arms of the house of
representatives and of the senate; and

(5) disabled persons, pursuant to Section
66-3-16 NMSA 1978.

B. Special registration plates furnished under this
section shall identify the officials, members and disabled
persons as such. If legislators, the special registration
plates shall indicate whether they are members of the house of
representatives or of the senate.

C. When the ownership of the vehicle for which [
a
]
special registration [
plate has
]
plates have
been furnished by
the division changes or the holder ceases to qualify, the
special registration [
plate
]
plates
shall immediately be
removed from the vehicle by the holder of the special
registration [
plate
]
plates
and returned to the director, at
which time the person removing the special registration [
plate
]

plates
shall receive [
a
] regular registration [
plate
]
plates

for the vehicle.

D. The holder of [
a
] special registration [
plate
]

plates
may transfer [
his
]
the
special registration [
plate
]

plates
from one vehicle to another during the year in which the
[
plate is
]
plates are
valid upon application to the director
for the transfer. If a transfer is made, the owner of the
vehicle from which the special registration [
plate is
]
plates
are
removed may receive [
a
] regular registration [
plate
]
plates

upon payment of the fees established by law.

E. The holder of [
a
] special registration [
plate
]

plates
pursuant to Paragraph (2) of Subsection A of this
section may simultaneously hold a regular registration for the
same vehicle. The division shall, by rule, provide for
maintenance of simultaneous registration records."

SECTION 8.
Section 66-3-407 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978,
Chapter 35, Section 86) is amended to read:

"66-3-407. SPECIAL
REGISTRATION
PLATES FOR PRIVATE
VEHICLES USED IN PUBLIC SERVICE.--

A. Upon compliance with all laws relating to
registration and licensing of motor vehicles and upon
application to the division and the payment of necessary fees,
special registration plates shall be furnished for motor
vehicles owned by members of an organized group committed under
its charter or bylaws to perform such services as are
reasonably related to the public safety or welfare.

B. Special [
license
]
registration
plates furnished
under this section shall identify the members as belonging to
the particular unit and shall be of such design, and cost such
additional fee of not less than fifteen dollars ($15.00), as
the division in its discretion may provide.

C. At the time of delivery of the special [
plate
]

registration plates
, the member shall surrender [
his
]
the
member's
current registration [
plate
]
plates
issued for the
motor vehicle if any [
has
]
have
been issued.

D. Each member shall only be entitled to one
set of

special [
plate
]
registration plates
, and when the ownership of
the motor vehicle for which the [
plate has
]
plates have
been
furnished by the division changes or the owner ceases to be a
member of the organization, the special [
plate
]
registration
plates
shall immediately be removed from the vehicle by the
holder of the special [
plate
]
registration plates
and returned
to the director, at which time [
it
]
the special registration
plates
shall be exchanged for [
a
] regular registration [
plate
]

plates
.

E. The holder of [
a
] special [
plate
]
registration
plates
may transfer [
his
]
the holder's
special [
plate
]

registration plates
from one vehicle to another during the year
in which the [
plate is
]
plates are
valid upon application to
the director for transfer. If [
such
] a transfer is made, the
owner of the vehicle from which the [
plate is
]
plates are

removed may not receive [
a
] regular registration [
plate
]
plates

except upon payment of the fees established by law."

SECTION 9.
Section 66-3-407.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989,
Chapter 87, Section 1) is amended to read:

"66-3-407.1. SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES.--Any person who
is entitled to [
a
] special registration [
plate
]
plates
, as
provided for in Sections 66-3-405 through 66-3-407 NMSA 1978,
and subsequently fails to qualify for such [
a
] special
registration [
plate
]
plates
shall remove the special
registration [
plate
]
plates
no later than January 1 of the year
following the year in which the person failed to qualify for
the special registration [
plate
]
plates
."

SECTION 10.
EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the
provisions of this act is January 1, 2027.

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