Correspondence School Driver Education

Correspondence driver education school is available to students who legally qualify. Students must be under the age of 18 in New Mexico who wish to obtain their driver’s license through a driver education course but are unable to attend a traditional driver education class. All students must apply for permission to enroll in correspondence school prior to enrollment. Eligible students must submit a completed application with required supporting documents AND must be fifteen years of age at the time of completion of the course.

 

All students must qualify under Condition 1 OR Condition 2 in order to apply to a Correspondence school.

Please see qualifying supporting documents for Condition 1 and Condition 2:

Please provide as many documents as possible to ensure eligibility. 

 

Qualifying Supporting Documents:

CONDITION 1

        • HOMESCHOOL (CONDITION 1)
          • Student is homeschooled in ALL subjects by the Parent/Guardian. *Online-Schooling is not recognized as Homeschool.
          • Supporting Documentation: Confirmation of Establishment of a home school from NM PED for the current academic year on official NM PED letterhead. (Student Verification Form from NMPED account is an acceptable form, or a copy of the email that says “Registered Successfully” with the students ID

CONDITION 2

        • SCHOOL STATUS (CONDITION 2)
          • Does the school the student attends provide driver education? If no, attach a letter from the school on official school stationery, signed by a school official stating the status of the driver’s education program.     If yes, attach a letter from the school on official school stationery, signed by a school official including the circumstances that prevent the student from attending driver’s education class at their school. You will need to fulfill one additional circumstance listed below, with this. (Please note: full-capacity/waitlisted/wait time are not a qualifying circumstance).
        • DISTANCE (CONDITION 2)
          • Student does not have the opportunity to take driver’s education at school OR a private provider within 25 miles of their residence
          • Supporting Documentation: A picture of maps with the student’s residence to the nearest drivers ed. Must be signed in ink by a parent/guardian and submitted in PDF format
        • ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES (CONDITION 2)
          • Student is unable to attend driver education classes at school OR a private provider because of honors/AP classes, duel credit classes or other scholastic responsibilities.
          • Supporting Documentation: Formal letter on official school stationary/letterhead signed by a school official/teacher explaining the nature of the classes and time commitments preventing this student from attending traditional driver education classes
        • EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (CONDITION 2)
          • Student is unable to attend driver education classes at school OR a private provider because of commitments outside the classroom such as athletics, church activities, or performing arts.
          • Supporting Documentation: Formal letter on official school stationary/letterhead signed by a school official/teacher explaining nature of the activities and the time commitments preventing this student from attending traditional driver education classes
        • EMPLOYMENT (CONDITION 2)
          • Student is unable to attend driver education classes at school OR a private provider because work hours conflict with driver education class times.
          • Supporting Documentation:  A letter from the Manager/Supervisor stating the schedule of the student that is keeping them from attending a local driver’s education.
        • EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES (CONDITION 2)
          • Does the student have a medical issue that prevents them from attending a driver education program? If yes, attach a letter from a physician stating such. Or; does the parent’s work schedule conflict with transporting the student to a driver education program? If yes, attach an official letter from the parent’s employer stating the schedule, along with a copy of the driver education program’s conflicting hours. (Note: Cost, personal preference, and COVID-19 are not considered extenuating circumstances).
          • Please note that matters of personal preference such as cost cannot be considered extenuating circumstances.

APPROVED CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS

Each application must include the name of the licensed correspondence school of the student’s choice to be approved. 

ALL correspondence courses must be conducted by a certified school and instructor licensed by the State of New Mexico Transportation Safety Division. All correspondence schools must be approved by the New Mexico Department of Transportation, Traffic Safety Division. This approval must be renewed each year. For a list of currently approved correspondence schools, please see the approved schools list.

Approved-Schools-List

APPLICATIONS

Applications are processed in order of receipt & can take up to thirty (30) business days to evaluate, process & approve when complete. Incomplete applications will take even longer.

*All applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

*We are currently understaffed, so applications may take longer. We appreciate your understanding and patience.

All supporting documentation must be signed by hand in ink to be accepted. Further information may be requested at the reviewer’s discretion.

 Correspondence School Driver Ed APPLICATION

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email is the most reliable way to contact us.

Although our office is now open, if you wish to meet in person – it is by appointment only. Thank you.

Questions regarding Correspondence Drivers Education must be directed to:

Correspondence Driver’s Education Contact: Alondra Beltran-Chavarria
Phone: (505)546-9876
Email: tscdriverprograms@unm.edu

 

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