2018 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles
Article 5 - Licensing of Operators and Chauffeurs; Financial Responsibility; Uninsured Motorists' Insurance; Identification Cards
Section 66-5-43 - Renting motor vehicles to unlicensed drivers and minors; exception; record.

A. No person shall rent a motor vehicle to any other person unless the latter person is then duly licensed hereunder or, in the case of a nonresident, then duly licensed under the laws of the state or country of his residence except a nonresident whose home state or country does not require that a driver be licensed.

B. No person shall rent a motor vehicle to another until he has inspected the driver's license of the person to whom the vehicle is to be rented, and has compared and verified the signature thereon with the signature of such person written in his presence.

C. Every person renting a motor vehicle to another shall keep a record of the registration number of the motor vehicle so rented, the name and address of the person to whom the vehicle is rented, the number of the license of said latter person and the date and place when and where said license was issued. Such record shall be open to inspection by any police officer or officer or employee of the division.

D. It is unlawful to rent a motor vehicle to any person who is under the age of eighteen years unless such person shall furnish and leave with the person renting out the motor veicle [vehicle] a statement in writing showing the consent of the parent or guardian to the rent [rental] of a motor vehicle by the said owner [minor].

History: 1953 Comp., § 64-5-43, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 265.

Cross references. — For the general police authority of the division of motor vehicles, see 66-2-12 NMSA 1978.

Bracketed material. — The bracketed material was inserted by the compiler and it is not part of the law.

Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — Criminal liability in connection with rental of motor vehicles, 38 A.L.R.3d 949.

Construction and application of statute imposing liability expressly upon motor vehicle lessor for damages caused by operation of vehicle, 41 A.L.R.4th 993.

State regulation of motor vehicle rental ("you-drive") business, 60 A.L.R.4th 784.