Driver Education: Students & Parents

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.

    • 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:

  1. Register at a TSD approved Driver’s Ed school       
    1. For a list of Private Driver Education Schools, please click Here
  2. Complete 30 hours of classroom time
  3. Final exam, 50 questions (Must receive a score of 70% or better)
  4. Receive a Referral card for MVD to apply for learner’s permit
  5. Complete 7 full hours of driving time with the school (MVD road test does not count towards the 7 hours)
  6. Done with Driver’s Ed.
  7. Complete 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours at night (MVD Requirement).
  8. Apply for Provisional license (MVD Requirement).

For commonly asked questions, please see bottom of page.

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.

___________________________________________________________________________________

 

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.

__________________________________________________________________________________

 

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.