Signed by Governor Susana Martinez

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires driver's licenses to comply with federal standards, effective July 1, 2016.

Highlights:

• Requires an individual applying for a driver’s license to apply for a driver’s license that meets federal requirements to be accepted by federal agencies (Sec. 3).

• Requires a foreign national who are applying for a driver’s license to provide proof of authorized legal presence in the United States (Sec. 3).

• Requires a foreign national who cannot provide proof of authorized legal presence in the United States to apply for a “driving privilege card” (Sec. 3).

• Defines “driving privilege card” as the evidence of the privilege granted under the Motor Vehicle Code for an individual to operate a motor vehicle without providing evidence of legal presence in the United States (Sec. 1).

• Requires a foreign national who is applying for a driving privilege card to submit, in addition to the information required in the application, the following information (Sec. 3): 
• Evidence of the applicant’s current residency and residency for the preceding 2 years in New Mexico;
• Evidence that the applicant has completed a driver’s education course and passed a written and a driving examination;
• Evidence of the applicant’s identity; and
• Evidence of the unique identifying number, the applicant’s individual taxpayer identification number, or other acceptable document as the secretary authorizes. 

• Specifies that a driving privilege card expires 1 year after the date it was put into effect (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text