For a list of Private Driver Education Schools click HERE
For School Closures Click Here!
First time drivers under 18
The State of New Mexico recognizes two types of driver education programs:
1. 30 hours of classroom instruction combined with 7 hours of behind-the-wheel training.
For a list of Private Driver Education Schools, please click Here
OR
2. 56 hours of classroom instruction with 0 hours of behind-the-wheel training.
Public High Schools in New Mexico are required to offer driver education to students. These programs usually conduct the 56-hour program in which behind-the-wheel training is not required.
Regardless of the program chosen, it must be conducted by a certified instructor licensed by the State of New Mexico, Transportation Safety Division.
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- Each program must include a minimum of six (6) hours of classroom instruction devoted to DWI prevention and education and information about organ donation regarding the Jonathan Spradling Revised Uniform Anatomical Gifts Act [Sections 24-6B-1 et seq.NMSA 1978].
- After receiving a minimum of nine (9) hours of classroom instruction, the student may obtain a referral card from the instructor allowing them to go to the MVD and obtain their learner’s permit.
- THIS PERMIT IS NOT A PROVISIONAL LICENSE AND ONE OF THE ABOVE PROGRAMS MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO RECEIVING A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION FOR A PROVISIONAL LICENSE.
- Upon completion of a licensed driver education program, students are welcome to apply for a provisional license at the MVD.
**All drivers under the age of 18 must go through New Mexico’s Graduated Licensing Program.
To download and print your GDL click Here
What to expect from a 30-hour driver education program:
For commonly asked questions, please see bottom of page. |
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Comments/Concerns
If you have a comment or concern about your Driver’s Education school or Instructor, please use this form: Complaint form
Correspondence School Driver Education
In instances where the student is unable to attend a private driver education school or a public high school program, driver education be taken through a licensed correspondence course. Only students who meet specific criteria are eligible for correspondence school driver education. For more information about Correspondence School Driver Education, please click HERE.
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First time drivers 18 and over
None for the road
First-time drivers 18 and over are not required to attend a driver education school and need to complete the “None for the Road” program instead.
**Should adult students wish to take driver education from an approved provider, they may do so under the following conditions:
1. Individuals 18 and over who enroll in a private driver education school and receive a certificate of completion from that school ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE all components of the course; 30 hours classroom/7 hours behind-the-wheel.
2. This also means that individuals 18 and over who are enrolled in a private driver education course should also receive a referral card and must have a learners permit prior to engaging in any behind-the-wheel activity.
According to the MVD, any adults over the age of 18 completing a driver education course and receiving a Certificate of completion will bypass the provisional license requirement of MVD. This is the only difference between an 18 and over student vs. a younger student.
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Commonly asked questions:
I have a problem with a school, who should I contact?
My driver’s ed school isn’t answering me. I can’t schedule drive time. |
Use this Complaint form |
How many hours should my student be driving with the school? | 7 full hours, meaning 1-on-1 not with students taking turns |
How long does my student have complete the classroom portion and driving time? | Depends on the school, check to see your school’s student contract for deadlines. Typically, schools have a one-year deadline. |
I need my license and I’m under 18, what do I do? | You can take Driver’s Ed with your HS or a private one. Please refer to: the map of Schools, click Here |
I need my license and I’m over 18, what do I do? | Complete the “None for the Road” |
Does my student need to do 7 hours of driving with the school? | Yes, NMAC 18.20.3.13 A.1 requires students to complete 7 full hours with a licensed driving instructor. |
Is there online Driver’s Ed? | No, online driver’s ed is not permissible per the NMAC |
I turned 18 do I still need to finish all 7 hours? | Yes, in order to receive you certificate of completion you need to finish 30 hours of classroom time and 7 hours of driving. |
What do I need at the MVD for my license? | Please see: Graduated Licensing Program. |
Is private driver’s ed better than HS driver’s ed? | The preferred choice is HS driver’s ed |
Who needs to take driver’s ed? | Persons under 18 years of age wishing to get their driver’s license. Adults may also take driver’s ed, or can chose to do the None for the Road program. |
How long does a driver’s ed course take? | It varies.
A private driver’s ed course is a minimum of 30 classroom hours (can take as little as 2 weeks or could be several months, depends on the school’s schedule). The driving portion of the course is a minimum of 7 hours (this can take up to a year or as little as a 3 weeks). A HS driver’s ed is a minimum of 56 classroom hours (this can take as little as a school semester or 2 semesters, depending on your HS). |
What age can you start driver’s ed? | You must turn 15 years old on or before the last day of the classroom portion.
You must be 15 in order to apply for a driver’s permit. |
Are multiple students allowed in the car while my student receives driving instruction? | Other students may be in the vehicle; however each student needs to drive a full hour to receive credit for the full hour.
If there are 3 students in the car, and each student drove 20 minutes. Then each student only receives credit for 20 minutes. |
Can I take behind-the-wheel lessons before finishing the classroom portion? | Yes, you must complete a minimum of 9 hours of classroom instruction first in order to apply for a learner’s permit. |
How many hours of driving practice are required? | A total of 50 hours are required to apply for your provisional driver’s license. 10 of those must be at night.
If you chose to enroll in a private driver’s ed, you must complete 7 driving hours with your school. |
Do I need a learner’s permit before starting driver’s ed? | No, you cannot apply for a driver’s permit with the MVD until you receive a referral card from you driver’s ed school. |
Is it okay for my driver’s ed school to dismiss students early? | No, students must receive 30 full hours of classroom instruction. For driving instruction, student must meet a full 7 hours. |