2006 New Mexico Statutes - 66-5-205 — Vehicle must be insured or owner must have evidence of financial responsibility; penalties.

66-5-205. Vehicle must be insured or owner must have evidence of financial responsibility; penalties.

A.     No owner shall permit the operation of an uninsured motor vehicle, or a motor vehicle for which evidence of financial responsibility as was affirmed to the department is not currently valid, upon the streets or highways of New Mexico unless the vehicle is specifically exempted from the provisions of the Mandatory Financial Responsibility Act [ 66-5-201 to 66-5-239 NMSA 1978].   

B.     No person shall drive an uninsured motor vehicle, or a motor vehicle for which evidence of financial responsibility as was affirmed to the department is not currently valid, upon the streets or highways of New Mexico unless he is specifically exempted from the provisions of the Mandatory Financial Responsibility Act.   

C.     For the purposes of the Mandatory Financial Responsibility Act, "uninsured motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle for which a motor vehicle insurance policy meeting the requirements of the laws of New Mexico and of the secretary is not in effect or a surety bond or evidence of a sufficient cash deposit with the state treasurer.   

D.     The provisions of the Mandatory Financial Responsibility Act requiring the deposit of evidence of financial responsibility as provided in Section 66-5-218 NMSA 1978, subject to certain exemptions, may apply with respect to persons who have been convicted of or forfeited bail for certain offenses under motor vehicle laws or who have failed to pay judgments or written settlement agreements upon causes of action arising out of ownership, maintenance or use of vehicles of a type subject to registration under the laws of New Mexico.   

E.     Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be sentenced to a fine not to exceed three hundred dollars ($300).