Pay Traffic Ticket in New Mexico

SUMMARY: How to Pay a New Mexico Traffic Ticket

Depending on where you received your traffic ticket in New Mexico, you may be able to pay your fine online, by mail, by phone, or in person. Refer to your NM traffic ticket or contact the county court for specific details on payment methods, as we've explained below. Be sure to verify if you're required in court.

Keep reading for more details on your ticket payment options in New Mexico.

Pay Ticket
(Plead Guilty or No Contest)

Learn more below.

Fight Ticket
(Plead Not Guilty)

  • Contest traffic ticket via trial.
  • Choose to represent yourself or hire an attorney.
  • Possibly lose option to plea bargain for lesser penalties.
  • No penalties if found guilty, but must pay court/attorney fees.

Learn more about
Fighting Your Traffic Ticket »

Pleading Guilty to Your NM Ticket

Paying a New Mexico traffic ticket is an admission of guilt; it means you're pleading “guilty" to the traffic violation.

Once you decide to plead “guilty" and pay the traffic ticket fine:

  • You have forfeited your right to challenge the NM traffic ticket in court.
  • The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) will record the violation and assign points to your driving record, which could possibly cause:
    • A license suspension or revocation, depending on the number of points on your record and the violation itself.
  • You may have the option to attend a court-approved driver improvement school. Course completion can:
    • Help reduce points on your NM driving record.
    • Satisfy the traffic ticket requirements.

If you fail to pay the traffic ticket on time – or fail to pay it at all – the NM MVD will suspend your driver's license and the presiding court might issue a bench warrant for your arrest.

Pleading Guilty as New Mexico CDL Holder

As a NM commercial driver, you must notify your employer within 30 days of any traffic violation conviction (except for parking tickets). This applies to all situations. Even if you're ticketed for speeding in another state while driving your own car, you'd still need to notify your boss.

Check out New Mexico's Commercial Driver License Manual for a complete list of rules and regulations.

How to Pay Your NM Traffic Ticket

Depending on your situation and court, you might be able to pay your traffic ticket fine online, by mail, by phone, or in person.

However, before you pay your NM traffic ticket, read the citation; if:

  • The “Penalty Assessment" box is checked, you can pay the traffic ticket without appearing in court, using any of the payment methods listed on the ticket.
  • The “Court Appearance" or “Traffic Arraignment" box is checked, you must first appear in court before submitting any type of payment. Your ticket provides an explanation.

Also, you'll need your traffic ticket to pay your fine; if you've misplaced yours, refer to Lost Traffic Tickets in New Mexico for details on how to retrieve the information.

Online

Generally, you can pay your ticket fine online with the NM MVD if the “Penalty Assessment" box on the ticket is checked; if the “Court Appearance" or “Traffic Arraignment" box is checked, it's likely you have to appear at the court listed on your ticket and pay the fine there.

Begin the process at the MVD's citation payment website.

Other Payment Methods

Depending on your court and situation (and which box is checked on your ticket), you might be able to pay your ticket:

  • By mail.
  • By phone.
  • In person.

Your traffic ticket should list the payment options and instructions (e.g. which court to pay, acceptable payment methods, contact information, etc.) You can contact the appropriate court if you're unsure.

Traffic School & NM Tickets

Usually, completing a defensive driving course isn't an option for ticket dismissal in New Mexico; however:

  • Your judge might order you to complete an approved driving school to satisfy your traffic ticket requirements.
  • You might be able to complete a course to reduce your driving record points, which could also help you avoid license suspension (depending on how many points are on your record).

Learn more at our guide to Defensive Driving in New Mexico.

Check Your New Mexico Driving Record

You might plead “guilty" and pay your traffic ticket fine, or you might decide to fight your ticket in court. Whichever option you choose, it's important to check your driving record to make sure it shows ONLY:

  • The traffic violation for which you plead “guilty" or of which you were convicted in court.
  • The number of driving record points assigned to that traffic violation.

We'll show you how to order your driving record and provide information about how to correct any errors.

Traffic Tickets & NM Car Insurance Rates

Each car insurance company has its own policies regarding traffic violations, but generally coverage providers increase rates after a guilty plea or verdict.

Comparing car insurance rates online is a fast and easy way to find coverage that meets your needs and fits your budget.

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