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New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department
Rules for Off Highway Vehicles

* All OHVs most be registered and licensed.

* 96 dB is the legal noise limit for all OHVs in New Mexico as measured by the standard set by
the society of automotive engineers.

* Dirt bikes and ATVs need USFS approved spark arrestors

* If you are from out of state and your state doesn't require OHVs to be registered or your OHV
isn’t registered anywhere else, you’ll need a 90 day temporary New Mexico registration sticker,
available at MVD offices, OHV dealers, and anyplace where hunting and fishing licenses are
sold. (Non-residents can also obtain a two year OHV registration. OHVs brought into New
Mexico for competition do not have to be registered.)

* It is illegal to operate an off-highway motor vehicle unless in possession of the person's registration certificate or nonresident permit

MVD motorcycle compliance

Statute   Equipment    Requirements
66-3-804 Headlamp At least one on front, but not more than two, must be multiple beam
Turn signals N/A
66-3-004 Speedometer With odometer in good working order
66-3-843 Horn At least one, audible from 200 feet (No siren, bell or whistle)
66-3-845 Rear view
mirror		 At least one, providing a clear view 200 feet to the rear
66-3-840 Brakes At least two, operated by hand or foot
66-7-405 Seat height Not less than 25 in from ground to lowest
point of seat cushion undepressed by rider
66-7-405 Wheelbase Not less than 3 ft 4 in between axles
66-7-405 Engine
displacement		 Not less than 45 cubic centimeters
Tires In good, serviceable condition with sufficient tread depth the full width of the surface
contacting the ground to provide adequate traction and stopability in all weather conditions
66-3-805 Tail lamp At least one (red) on rear
66-3-807
66-3-828		 Stop lamp At least one (red, amber or yellow) on rear actuated by brake
66-3-805 License
plate lamp		 At least one (white) on rear above license plate
66-3-806
66-3-813		 Reflectors At least one (red) on rear
66-3-844 Exhaust
system		 Mufflers (and emissions controls on 1968 models and later) in
good working order preventing excessive noise, fumes and smoke


Contact the Motor Vehicle Department

800-545-2070    or    505-827-4751    or    www.tax.state.nm.us/mvd


New Mexico Tourism Department

Mona Medina
OHV Director
Tel: 505-827-7605
Email: mona.medina@state.nm.us

Nicole McKnight
OHV Administrative Assistant
Tel: 505-827-4751
Email: Nicole.McKnight@state.nm.us