Registering and titling a vehicle in New Mexico: new residents, purchases and renewals

What the New Mexico MVD asks for when you title and register a new or used vehicle or bring one from another state, the excise tax and its 90-day penalty, insurance and emissions rules, the five ways to renew, and how plates stay with the owner.

Guide · New Mexico · Vehicle registration · Titles · updated October 29, 2026

In New Mexico, vehicle titles, registrations and license plates are handled by the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), part of the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department. This guide covers what to bring when you title and register a vehicle, the extra steps for vehicles coming from another state, taxes and penalties, insurance and emissions, and how to renew.

Title first, then registration

The MVD says a vehicle must be titled before it can be registered for the first time. In most cases, both happen in the same visit. The first time you register a new or used vehicle in your name, you must go to an MVD field office. To book a visit, see the New Mexico MVD visit guide.

When you buy from a dealer, the dealer may handle the title application and collect the tax for you. Otherwise you pay the tax to the MVD or one of its agents when you apply for the title.

Registering a new vehicle

The MVD's checklist for a new vehicle includes:

• The original Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO), not a copy
• The original or a certified copy of the purchase agreement or dealer's invoice
• An odometer statement: the one on the back of the MCO, or Form MVD10187
• The Application for Title and Registration (Form MVD10002)
• Proof of insurance
• Proof of identity and two proofs of New Mexico residency

You may also need proof of a trade-in or a power of attorney if someone else registers the vehicle for you.

Registering a used vehicle

For a used vehicle, bring:

• The current Certificate of Title, with the Assignment of Title section completed and signed by the former owner. No copies are accepted.
• An odometer statement signed by both seller and buyer.
• Proof of insurance.
• Proof of identity and two proofs of residency.

Depending on the sale, the MVD may also ask for a few other documents:

• Bill of sale (MVD10009): if the assignment on the title is incomplete.
• Notarized Affidavit of Gift (MVD10018): if the vehicle was a gift.
• Release of lien: if the title shows a lien.
• Dealer's invoice: for a dealer sale.

The MVD's buying page says the seller should remove the license plate at the time of the sale. It is the buyer's responsibility to get a new title and register the vehicle.

Bringing a vehicle from another state

Every vehicle coming to New Mexico from another state needs a VIN inspection. It is usually done by an MVD agent at a field office. Not all field offices do VIN inspections, and some need an advance appointment, so call ahead. A Certified VIN Inspector at a participating partner office can also do it.

If your vehicle is titled in another state and has a lien, the MVD orders the title from the lienholder. Give the MVD the lienholder's name and address. The MVD also runs every title through the FBI's National Crime Information Center, which must come back clear.

The MVD pages used for this guide do not give a separate registration deadline for new residents, but the excise tax penalty described below applies if you bring a vehicle in and wait more than 90 days to title it.

Taxes and fees

The Motor Vehicle Excise Tax is 4% of the price paid, minus any trade-in credit. For non-dealer sales, the MVD uses the N.A.D.A. value if the declared price is below 80% of the N.A.D.A. average trade-in or wholesale value. A genuine gift owes no tax if you submit a notarized gift affidavit. Tax paid to another state on the same vehicle may be credited.

If you live in New Mexico and do not apply for a title within 90 days of the transfer, or within 90 days of bringing the vehicle into the state, there is a penalty of 50% of the tax.

Registration fees for passenger vehicles depend on weight and model year. The MVD lists $27 to $62 for one year or $54 to $124 for two years.

Insurance

New Mexico requires at least this much liability insurance:

• $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person
• $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more people
• $10,000 for property damage

To register, bring a current insurance card, a copy of your policy or a letter from your insurer. The MVD checks insurance electronically against an insurance database. If it cannot find your coverage, it may deny or suspend the registration.

Emissions testing

Emissions testing is required only for vehicles registered in or commuting into Bernalillo County. Vehicles from model year 1991 and newer, up to 10,000 pounds, must pass a test every two years and at a change of ownership. Brand-new vehicles are exempt for the first four years. Electric and diesel vehicles are exempt. The MVD checks the Albuquerque Air Care database when you renew.

Renewing a registration

The MVD lists five ways to renew:

1. Online, with MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover.
2. At a kiosk in Albuquerque, which prints the registration and sticker immediately.
3. By phone at 1-888-683-4636.
4. By mail, with the renewal form and a check payable to the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division.
5. At a field office, paying by cash or check.

The first three give up to a 5% discount on the base fee. Online renewal adds a card fee, so the net discount is smaller. Late renewal costs a $10 penalty if you are less than 31 days late. From 31 days late, the penalty is 75% of the registration fee.

Plates

New Mexico is a "vehicle plate to owner" state. When you sell, trade in or give away a vehicle, you remove the plate. Within 30 days, take it to the MVD to be destroyed, or apply to move it to another vehicle of the same class. At your first registration you can ask for the traditional yellow plate or the turquoise Centennial plate at no extra cost.

For your license, see the New Mexico driver license and ID card guide. For offices, see the New Mexico MVD office list.