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New Mexico Minimum Car Insurance and License Reinstatement
The short answer
New Mexico requires liability insurance of at least 25/50/10: $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $10,000 for property damage, under the Mandatory Financial Responsibility Act (MFRA). If your license or registration was suspended for lacking insurance, the MVD asks you to show proof of liability insurance and pay a $25 license reinstatement fee or a $30 registration reinstatement fee. The MVD's reinstatement requirements list proof of insurance, not an SR-22 filing. This matters to a lot of people here: 24.1% of New Mexico drivers were uninsured in 2023, the second highest rate in the country.
Required minimums (MFRA)
| Coverage | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury, per person | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury, per accident | $50,000 |
| Property damage, per accident | $10,000 |
| Alternative | $60,000 surety bond or cash deposit with the State Treasurer |
Reinstatement after an insurance suspension
| Step | Cost |
|---|---|
| Get a 25/50/10 policy (or binder, certificate of deposit, or surety bond) | premium varies |
| License reinstatement fee | $25 |
| Registration reinstatement fee (MFRA suspension) | $30 |
| Ignition interlock cases | $50 where applicable |
| License reinstatement after a DWI revocation | $102 |
- Buy the policy and keep digital or paper proof.
- Submit proof to MVD per your suspension notice (judgment suspensions require proof of insurance explicitly).
- Pay the fee(s). Check your status before driving.
FAQ
Does New Mexico require SR-22?
The MVD's reinstatement procedures list proof of insurance and do not mention SR-22. Confirm your own case with the MVD.
Can I use a bond instead of insurance?
Yes: a $60,000 surety bond or certificate of deposit with the State Treasurer satisfies the MFRA.
How many drivers are uninsured here?
24.1% in 2023, per the Insurance Research Council.