New Mexico traffic tickets
Points, traffic school, deadlines and what a ticket does to your insurance in New Mexico.
Speeding ticket$25–$200state schedule
License at risk7 ptsin 12 months
Driver improvement schoolYesavailable, with limits
Insurance after 1 ticket+25%on $2,544 a year
What will my ticket really cost? Check my points
What kind of ticket did you get?
- Speeding
- School zone
- Work zone
- Red light
- Stop sign
- Texting
- No insurance
- Expired registration
- Seat belt
- School bus
- Failure to yield
- Parking
Which court is on your ticket?
One statewide schedule sets most fines. Pick the court named on your ticket.
New Mexico county courts
Phone, pay-online link and traffic school steps for 5 courts. Tap a county to open it.
Bernalillo County(505) 841-8151Pays online
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court. Fines follow the New Mexico statewide schedule.
- Address
- 401 Lomas Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
- Phone
- (505) 841-8151
- Hours
- 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday
- Traffic school
- The court runs a 6-hour driver improvement school ($25) and a 6-hour aggressive driving school ($90), both online. You can only enroll when a judge orders it. Register with Customer Service at (505) 841-8151.
Doña Ana County(575) 524-2814Pays online
Doña Ana County Magistrate Court (Las Cruces). Fines follow the New Mexico statewide schedule.
- Address
- 110 Calle de Alegra, Las Cruces, NM 88005
- Phone
- (575) 524-2814
- Hours
- 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday
- Traffic school
- Driver improvement school is ordered by the judge, often as part of a deferred sentence. If you meet the conditions the citation is dismissed.
San Juan County(505) 326-4338Pays online
San Juan County Magistrate Court (Farmington). Fines follow the New Mexico statewide schedule.
- Address
- 950 W. Apache St., Farmington, NM 87401
- Phone
- (505) 326-4338
- Hours
- 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday
- Traffic school
- Driver improvement school is ordered by the judge, often as part of a deferred sentence. If you meet the conditions the citation is dismissed.
Pay or look up your ticket ↗ eleventhdistrict.nmcourts.gov ↗
Sandoval County(505) 867-5202Pays online
Sandoval County Magistrate Court (Bernalillo). Fines follow the New Mexico statewide schedule.
- Address
- 1000 Montoya Rd., Bernalillo, NM 87004
- Phone
- (505) 867-5202
- Hours
- 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday
- Traffic school
- Driver improvement school is ordered by the judge, often as part of a deferred sentence. If you meet the conditions the citation is dismissed.
Pay or look up your ticket ↗ thirteenthdistrict.nmcourts.gov ↗
Santa Fe County(505) 984-9914Pays online
Santa Fe County Magistrate Court. Fines follow the New Mexico statewide schedule.
- Address
- 2056 Galisteo St., Santa Fe, NM 87505
- Phone
- (505) 984-9914
- Hours
- 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday
- Traffic school
- Driver improvement school is ordered by the judge, often as part of a deferred sentence. If you meet the conditions the citation is dismissed.
What are your options with a New Mexico ticket?
Paying is the fastest route, and it usually puts the ticket on your record. Deferred sentence with driving school is the main way to avoid that.
What does the New Mexico state schedule charge for speeding?
The penalty assessment amount is the whole charge.[5][6][14]
Every fine on the New Mexico schedule (19)
| Ticket | You pay |
|---|---|
| Speeding, 1–10 mph overPrinted as: Speeding up to and including 10 mph over (66-7-301)$50 in a double fine zone. | $25[3][5] |
| Speeding, 11–15 mph overPrinted as: Speeding 11 to 15 mph over$60 in a double fine zone. | $30[3][5] |
| Speeding, 16–20 mph overPrinted as: Speeding 16 up to and including 20 mph over$130 in a double fine zone. | $65[3][5] |
| Speeding, 21–25 mph overPrinted as: Speeding 21 up to and including 25 mph over$200 in a double fine zone. | $100[3][5] |
| Speeding, 26–30 mph overPrinted as: Speeding 26 up to and including 30 mph over$250 in a double fine zone. | $125[3][5] |
| Speeding, 31–35 mph overPrinted as: Speeding 31 up to and including 35 mph over$300 in a double fine zone. | $150[3][5] |
| Speeding, 36+ mph overPrinted as: Speeding more than 35 mph over$400 in a double fine zone. | $200[3][5] |
| School zone speeding, 1–10 mph overPrinted as: Speeding up to and including 10 mph over, double fine zoneZone amounts: $60 at 11 to 15 over, $130 at 16 to 20, $200 at 21 to 25, $250 at 26 to 30, $300 at 31 to 35 and $400 above 35. | $50[3] |
| Failure to obey signal3 points. | $25[3] |
| Failure to stop3 points. | $25[3] |
| Failure to yield3 points. | $25[3] |
| Texting while driving, first violation$50 for a second or later violation. | $25[3] |
| Unfastened safety belt2 points. | $25[3] |
| Improper passing, school bus6 points. | $100[3] |
| Following too closely3 points. | $25[3] |
| Improper lane | $25[3] |
| Railroad-highway grade crossing violation | $150[3] |
| Vehicles subject to registration | $50[4][5][6][14] |
| Driving without insurance | On your notice |
How many points is a speeding ticket in New Mexico?
- Speeding, 26+ mph over8 pts[2]
- Speeding, 6–15 mph over3 pts[2]
- Speeding, 16–25 mph over5 pts[2]
- Passing a stopped school bus6 pts[2]
- Reckless driving6 pts[2]
- Racing on a public road6 pts[2]
- Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle4 pts[2]
- Careless driving3 pts[2]
All 18 point values
- Running a red light3 pts[2]
- Running a stop sign3 pts[2]
- Failure to yield3 pts[2]
- Following too closely3 pts[2]
- Improper turn3 pts[2]
- Improper passing or driving left of center3 pts[2]
- Failure to signal2 pts[2]
- No seat belt2 pts[2]
- Child not properly restrained2 pts[2]
- Defective brakes or equipment that affects control2 pts[2]
How points work in New Mexico
MVD adds points when you are convicted, and paying a penalty assessment counts as a conviction. Points drop off automatically at the end of the 12th month after the month of the violation. MVD may send a warning at 6 points. 12 or more points for violations within 12 months brings a 12-month suspension. Speeding adds points only when the limit was 15, 30 or 75 mph, or when you were going 76 mph or faster, and never for 1 to 5 mph over.[2]
Commercial driver? Points and disqualifications work differently. How tickets affect a CDL →
When can you lose your license?
- 7 ptsin 12 monthsWith 7 to 10 points, a municipal or magistrate judge can recommend a suspension of up to 3 months[2]
- 12 ptsin 12 months12-month suspension[2][10]
Full wording of each rule
- 7 points in 12 months: With 7 to 10 points, a municipal or magistrate judge can recommend a suspension of up to 3 months. MVD then suspends automatically for the period recommended, or 3 months if none is stated.
- 12 points in 12 months: 12-month suspension. You can ask MVD for a hearing. To reinstate you must finish an approved driver improvement course within 90 days before applying and pass the written and vision tests.
Getting your license back after a suspension costs $102 in New Mexico, before any course or court costs.[10][11]
Can Driver improvement school keep a ticket off your record in New Mexico?
Is it worth it for your ticket? Get a yes or no →
Who qualifies, CDL drivers and cost
There is no course you can take on your own to remove points. A judge can order driver improvement school as part of a sentence, often a deferred sentence. If you meet every condition, the citation is dismissed and no points are added. If you don't, your license can be suspended.[9][12][13]
Who can use it: Only drivers ordered by a judge. Paying the penalty assessment ends the case, so ask about school at your arraignment instead.[9][12][13]
Cost: Set by each court or school. Metro Court's 6-hour driver improvement school is $25, and its aggressive driving school is $90.[13]
Do school and work zones cost more?
School zones
Speeding penalties double in a designated zone. Up to 10 mph over costs $50 instead of $25, and more than 35 mph over costs $400 instead of $200.[3]
Work zones
Speeding penalties double in a designated zone, using the same doubled amounts as school zones.[3]
When is your ticket due?
- 30daysPay or respondfrom the ticket date[8][16]
Details
Pay a penalty assessment. If you miss it: If you don't pay, the case goes to court and the judge can issue a bench warrant.
- 15daysLast day to appealfrom conviction[15]
Details
Appeal a magistrate or Metro Court judgment to district court. If you miss it: After 15 days the judgment stands.
- Date on noticeAppear or call in for your traffic arraignmentset by the court[8][12]
Details
Appear or call in for your traffic arraignment. If you miss it: The court can issue a bench warrant.
- Date on noticeAsk MVD for a hearing on a points suspensionset by the court[2]
Details
Ask MVD for a hearing on a points suspension. If you miss it: The suspension takes effect and you must surrender your license.
What happens if you don't respond
If you miss your court date the court issues a bench warrant, and clearing one at Metro Court carries a $100 warrant fee. Since June 16, 2023, MVD no longer suspends regular licenses just for failing to appear or failing to pay a ticket. That change does not cover commercial licenses.[7][8][14]
Work out your exact dates → · Already missed it?
Will an out-of-state ticket follow you home?
- Shares convictions with other states (Driver License Compact)Yes[1]
- Can suspend you over unpaid out-of-state tickets (Nonresident Violator Compact)Yes[1]
A conviction in another state counts on your New Mexico record and gets the same points it would get here.[2]
How out-of-state tickets work →
How much will it raise your insurance in New Mexico?
One speeding ticket raised a full-coverage premium by about 25% on average in New Mexico[1], from a clean-record average of $2,544 a year.[1] If that increase stays for three years, that's about $1,908 on top of the fine.
Averages from ValuePenguin State of Auto Insurance in 2026, not a quote. Insurers differ, and many look back three to five years.
Where are the official pages?
What else do people ask?
How do points work in New Mexico?
MVD adds points when you are convicted, and paying a penalty assessment counts as a conviction. Points drop off automatically at the end of the 12th month after the month of the violation. MVD may send a warning at 6 points. 12 or more points for violations within 12 months brings a 12-month suspension. Speeding adds points only when the limit was 15, 30 or 75 mph, or when you were going 76 mph or faster, and never for 1 to 5 mph over.
How many points before your license is at risk in New Mexico?
7 points in 12 months: With 7 to 10 points, a municipal or magistrate judge can recommend a suspension of up to 3 months. MVD then suspends automatically for the period recommended, or 3 months if none is stated.
Can traffic school keep a ticket off my record in New Mexico?
Driver improvement school: There is no course you can take on your own to remove points. A judge can order driver improvement school as part of a sentence, often a deferred sentence. If you meet every condition, the citation is dismissed and no points are added. If you don't, your license can be suspended.
How long do I have to pay or respond to a ticket in New Mexico?
30 days from the citation. If you miss it: If you don't pay, the case goes to court and the judge can issue a bench warrant.
Will an out-of-state ticket follow me home to New Mexico?
New Mexico is a member of the Driver License Compact, so convictions in other member states are reported to New Mexico. A conviction in another state counts on your New Mexico record and gets the same points it would get here.
How much does a speeding ticket raise insurance in New Mexico?
About 25% on average for full coverage, according to ValuePenguin State of Auto Insurance in 2026. Your insurer's rate can differ a lot from the average.
Sources
New Mexico law and DMV sources (16)
- AAMVA DLC/NRVC Member Joinder Dates (rev. April 2026), AAMVA.
- 18.19.5 NMAC Driver Licensing and Identification Cards (point system, 18.19.5.50 to 18.19.5.57), New Mexico State Records Center and Archives.
- Penalty Assessment Misdemeanors: Schedule of Assessments (7/1/2024), New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division.
- List of State Statute Charges that have a Set Fine Amount (updated July 1, 2023), Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.
- House Bill 139 (2023), Eliminating Court Fees, as amended (HJC/HB 139/a), New Mexico Legislature.
- HB 139 (2023 Regular Session) bill status: signed, Chapter 184, New Mexico Legislature.
- MVD will no longer suspend licenses for failure to pay, appear (news release, June 16, 2023), New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department.
- Traffic Tickets, New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division.
- Dismissals and Deferrals, New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division.
- Reinstate a Suspended License, New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division.
- Out of State Resident: Reinstatement, New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division.
- Important Information About Your Traffic Citation and Virtual Traffic Arraignment (rev. 9/24), Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.
- Driver Safety, Pet Ownership and Other Crime Specific Classes, Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.
- How to Appeal a Magistrate Court Judgment (guide), New Mexico Supreme Court.
- Bosque Farms Municipal Court brochure, Village of Bosque Farms Municipal Court.
Insurance sources (4)
- State of Auto Insurance in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- Car Insurance Rate Increases with a Speeding Ticket in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- How Does a DUI Affect Your Auto Insurance Rates in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- How Much Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up After a Crash in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).