Ticket Fines and Penalties in New Mexico

New Mexico Traffic Ticket Fines and Costs

All New Mexico courts follow a uniform traffic code as a guideline for setting fines and penalties, but have the leeway to set their own laws as long as they are within the limits of the state statutes. This means a fine for disobeying a stop sign in Taos, may not be the same in Farmington.

The fine will be listed on your traffic ticket. For questions regarding the fine amount, contact the court listed on your citation.

If you cannot find your citation, learn what to do on our Lost Traffic Ticket page.

Magistrate, Metropolitan and Municipal Court Fees

Regardless if you pay by mail or challenge your citation before a judge, you will also be charged court fees in addition to the traffic fine.

In Magistrate Court you will be charged the following:

• $55 with a guilty plea
• $75 if you plead not guilty and are then found guilty by the court

In Metropolitan Court you will be charged the following:

• $49 with a guilty plea
• $69 if you plead not guilty and are then found guilty by the court

In Municipal Court you will be charged $28.

Car Insurance Rate Increase

Another cost that goes hand in hand with traffic tickets comes in the form of increased auto insurance rates. Providers monitor driving records closely. You always have the option to counter high premiums by shopping for a new car insurance company. Comparing insurance rates online is a great way to find an affordable coverage plan.

New Mexico Traffic Ticket Penalties

Penalties are determined by a variety of factors, including severity of infraction, license type (instructional permit, provisional license, CDL, etc.) and driving record. Points and having your New Mexico driver's license suspended or revoked are the two most common penalties.

New Mexico Point System

Following the conviction of a traffic violation, the MVD assign points to your driving record. Depending on the infraction, you'll receive between two and eight points. The more severe the infraction, the higher the point total.

If you receive six points within one calendar year, the MVD will send you a warning letter. If you accumulate between seven and 10 points in 12 consecutive months, the MVD, at the recommendation of the court, will suspend your NM driver's license for three months. If accrue 12 or more points, you'll be handed a 12-month suspension.

NM Driver's License Suspension and Revocation

If the MVD suspends or revokes your New Mexico driver's license, it's good to know the differences between the two:

License Suspension―The temporary withdrawal of a driver license for a specified period of time. Driving privileges will resume once all reinstatement requirements have been satisfied.
License Revocation―The termination of driver license. At the end of the revocation period, the driver must reapply for a driver's license, requiring passing the knowledge and road tests.

Some of the violations that could suspend or revoke your NM driver's license include:

• Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs
• Reckless driving
• Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death
• Exceeding the posted speed limit by 26 mph or more
• Driving with an invalid license

Check Your Driving record

It's always wise to check the point total on your driving record following a citation. If you know your point total is nearing suspension stage, you may look into getting points removed by enrolling in a court-approved driving improvement school.

Penalties for Drivers Younger Than 18

In addition to the violations listed above, you may also lose your driving privileges for violating any of the restrictions associated with your instructional permit or provisional license.

Penalties for Commercial Drivers

You must notify your employer within 30 days of receiving a traffic violation conviction. This applies to all driving situations. Even if you are ticketed while driving your own car, you must still alert your boss.

Penalties for commercial drivers come with heavy repercussions. Not only can a traffic violation affect your wallet, but also jeopardize your career. To learn more, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides a detailed list of traffic violation penalties.