2006 New Mexico Statutes - 66-5-21 — Expiration of license; four-year issuance period; eight-year issuance period.

66-5-21. Expiration of license; four-year issuance period; eight-year issuance period.

A.     Except as provided in Subsection B of this section, Section 66-5-19 NMSA 1978 and Section 66-5-67 NMSA 1978, all driver's licenses shall be issued for a period of four years, and each license shall expire thirty days after the applicant's birthday in the fourth year after the effective date of the license.  A license issued pursuant to Section 66-5-19 NMSA 1978 shall expire thirty days after the applicant's birthday in the year in which the license expires.  Each license is renewable within ninety days prior to its expiration or at an earlier date approved by the department.  The fee for the license shall be as provided in Section 66-5-44 NMSA 1978.  The department may provide for renewal by mail of a driver's license issued pursuant to the provisions of this subsection, pursuant to regulations adopted by the department and may require an examination upon renewal of the driver's license.

B.     At the option of an applicant, a driver's license may be issued for a period of eight years, provided that the applicant:

(1)     pays the amount required for a driver's license issued for a term of eight years;

(2)     otherwise qualifies for a four-year driver's license; and

(3)     will not reach the age of seventy-five during the last four years of the eight-year license period.

C.     A driver's license issued pursuant to the provisions of Subsection B of this section shall expire thirty days after the applicant's birthday in the eighth year after the effective date of the license.

D.     The director may adopt regulations providing for the proration of driver's license fees and commercial driver's license fees due to shortened licensure periods permitted pursuant to Subsection A of Section 66-5-19 NMSA 1978.