New Mexico Driving & Vehicles Laws (2026)

New Mexico law does not prohibit driving barefoot. There is no statute or regulation explicitly forbidding or restricting driving without shoes, and no specific advisory warnings are codified in state law.

New Mexico law does not explicitly authorize lane splitting. Under NMSA 1978 § 66-7-317, motorcycles must operate within a single lane and are prohibited from passing between lanes of stopped or moving traffic.

License plate covers are restricted in New Mexico. No significant legislative changes since 2023, but there is a continued emphasis on enforcing the ban on all license plate covers.

Radar detectors are legal for use and possession in private vehicles in New Mexico. There are no specific state statutes prohibiting their use or sale.

Radar jammers are federally illegal in all states including New Mexico under FCC regulations. There have been no recent legislative changes in New Mexico regarding laser jammers.

Right turn on red is legal in New Mexico after coming to a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and cross traffic, unless a sign prohibits it at a specific intersection. New Mexico law permits a right turn on a red light after a complete stop, unless a sign specifically prohibits it.

Studded snow tires are legal year-round in New Mexico with no seasonal restrictions. There have been no significant recent changes to the law.

New Mexico law restricts window tinting on vehicles to ensure a minimum visible light transmission (VLT) of 35% on the front side windows and 25% on the rear side and back windows. The statute is found under NMSA 1978, Section 66-3-809. Medical exemptions are allowed with proper documentation.