2006 New Mexico Statutes - Section 65-3-7 — Qualifications of drivers.

65-3-7. Qualifications of drivers.

A.     A person shall not drive a motor vehicle unless he is qualified to drive a motor vehicle, and a motor carrier shall not require or permit a person to drive a motor vehicle unless that person is qualified to drive a motor vehicle.   

B.     A person is qualified to drive a commercial motor carrier vehicle if he:   

(1)     is at least twenty-one years old; or   

(2)     is at least eighteen years old and drives only within the boundaries of the state of New Mexico;   

(3)     is physically qualified to drive a motor vehicle;   

(4)     is not disqualified from driving a motor vehicle;   

(5)     has been issued a currently-valid motor vehicle operator's license or permit of the proper class for the vehicle he is driving;   

(6)     can, by reason of experience, training, or both, safely operate the type of motor vehicle he drives; and   

(7)     can, by reason of experience, training, or both, determine whether the cargo he transports is properly located, distributed and secured in or on the motor vehicle he drives.   

C.     The director may adopt regulations pertaining to the qualification and disqualification of commercial motor carrier vehicle drivers including documentation thereof. The regulations shall include but not be limited to background and character, road testing and written examination, physical qualification, examination and waivers of certain physical defects.   

D.     The director shall adopt regulations requiring motor carriers to maintain appropriate records pertaining to the qualifications of every commercial motor carrier vehicle driver in its employ, either regularly or casually. Such regulations shall not be inconsistent with or more stringent than applicable federal safety standards.   

E.     The director is authorized to adopt specific exceptions for the qualifications of drivers under the Motor Carrier Safety Act [ 65-3-1 to 65-3-13 NMSA 1978] for drivers of articulated farm vehicles and intrastate drivers of vehicles transporting combustible liquids.   

F.     Any disqualification after receipt of a license shall be grounds for revocation of the license.