Motor Vehicles

State laws vary when it comes to motor vehicle insurance requirements, licensing and registration. New Mexico State law requires you to have sufficient liability insurance and a valid driver’s license in order to operate a vehicle. The term “vehicle” generally includes automobiles, motorcycles, vans, trailers and boats regularly parked or garaged overnight. Further, your vehicle must be properly registered. Even though you are in the Military, you may be required to register your vehicle in-state and obtain an in-state license within a few months of moving. Access complete information on insurance, driver’s licensing, and where and how to register your vehicle by visiting the State Motor Vehicle Department website. Visit the USA.gov Motor Vehicle Services page for links to state-specific websites.

Visitors entering Cannon AFB Monday through Friday (except holidays), 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., will stop at the Visitor Control Center located 6 miles west of Clovis on the south side of U.S. Highway 60/84, 601 N. Chindit Ave (next to the main gate). Visitors entering the installation at all other times will be processed at the main gate. While processing the visitor pass, you will be asked for a current driver's license, current vehicle registration and insurance of the vehicle you are operating. For further information, call the Visitors Center at 575-784-2400 and/or Main Gate at 575-784-6380.

New Mexico state traffic laws apply on Cannon AFB. Seat belts use is mandatory for front and back seats. State, local and base officials can stop vehicles for suspected non-use of seat belts. The law in New Mexico requires all children up to their 7th birthday and/or less than 60 pounds, regardless of age, to ride in a child safety seat.

Consumption of alcoholic beverages and possession of open alcohol containers in a motor vehicle is prohibited.

Vehicle checks

All vehicles entering or leaving Cannon AFB are subject to search. The term vehicle includes motorcycles, automobiles, trailers, vans and boats regularly parked or garaged overnight in NM.

Anyone operating a motor vehicle or motorcycle on public roadways in the State of New Mexico must have a driver's license. You are also required to have a New Mexico driver's license if you are a resident.

If you are under the age of 18, you must participate in the graduated driver's license system until you meet the requirements for an unrestricted license. The three levels of Graduated driver's license (GDL) are:

Instructional Permit

A permit allows you to operate a motor vehicle when supervised by another driver who is at least 21 years of age and who is licensed to drive that type of vehicle. In all vehicles, except motorcycles, the licensed driver must sit in the right front seat. On motorcycles, the licensed driver must follow the learner.

To obtain an instructional permit you must be at least 15 years of age and pass the knowledge test and vision test. If you are under the age of 18, you must also have a consent form signed by your parent or guardian. The driver must retain the permit for six months.

A person 15 years or older must be enrolled in and attending a driver education course approved by the Traffic Safety Bureau and includes DWI education and practice driving. The driver must retain the instructional permit for at least six months.

Provisional License

A provisional license allows you to drive without the supervision of another driver, except during the hours of midnight and 5:00 am. Unless a licensed driver that is 21 years old or older is in the vehicle, you may not have more than one other passenger under the age of 21 who is not a member of your immediate family in the vehicle.

The driver must complete not less than 50 hours of practice driving, including not less than 10 hours of nighttime driving. The parent or guardian shall certify that the driver has completed the practice driving part.

The driver must pass a written and road test in addition to a vision screening. The minimum age to receive a provisional license is 15 years and 6 months if the driver has held an instructional permit for 6 months.

The driver must have not been convicted of a traffic violation in the 90 days prior to applying for a provisional license. The driver may not operate a motor vehicle upon public highways between the hours of midnight and 5:00 AM. A provisional licensee may drive at any hour if:

• Accompanied by a licensed driver twenty-one years or older.
• Required by family necessity as evidenced by a signed statement of a parent or guardian.
• Required by medical necessity as evidenced by a signed statement of a parent or guardian.
• Driving to and from work as evidenced by a signed statement from the licensee's employer.
• Driving to and from school or a religious activity as evidenced by a signed statement of a school, religious official or a parent or guardian.
• Required due to a medical emergency.

Unrestricted Driver's License

The requirements and restrictions for an unrestricted driver license are as follows:

• The driver must have held a provisional license for the 12- month period immediately preceding the date of application for a driver license.
• The driver must not have been convicted of a traffic violation 90 days prior to applying for a driver license.
• The driver must not have any traffic violations pending at the time of the application for a driver license.
• The driver must not have been adjudicated guilty or have an offense pending involving the use of alcohol or drugs during the provisional period.

State and local laws regulate the operation of motor vehicles, and these laws can vary by location. Many states regulate the following:

• Seatbelt use
• Child safety seats
• Motorcycle operation
• The use of cellphones and other digital devices while driving

Learn more about motor vehicle laws in your state at the Distraction.gov State Laws page.

You and your passengers must always wear seatbelts while driving, you will be ticketed and issued heavy fines if seatbelts are not secured. State law requires that all children under 7 years of age and/or less than 60 pounds (regardless of age) be properly restrained in child seats. Some states also require younger, smaller children to sit in the back seat.

Motorcycles and their operators are subject to special laws. If you own and operate a motorcycle, you must comply with those laws. Visit the State Department of Motor Vehicles website for more information.

Many States and local jurisdictions have strict laws about the use of cell phones and other digital devices while driving. Research these laws on the State Department of Motor Vehicles website. Tickets will be issued and fines assessed for violating these laws. Play it safe and always use a “hands free” device if you must use a cell phone or other PDA while driving. Hands-free devices must be used while operating a motor vehicle on ALL military installations worldwide.