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New Mexico teen permit

New Mexico teen learner-permit rules

Checked against official state sources · October 1, 2026

New Mexico's GDL system moves teens from instructional permit to provisional license and then to an unrestricted license.

  • 15instructional-permit age
  • 50 / 10practice / night hours
  • 12 monthsprovisional stage minimum

Stage 1: instructional permit

The teen practices with a qualifying adult while completing the six-month permit period, driver education and 50-hour log.

Stage 2: provisional license

After meeting the first-stage requirements and passing the road skills exam, the teen moves to a provisional license with passenger and nighttime restrictions.

Stage 3: unrestricted license

The provisional license must be held for the required period with the driving record meeting the state's conditions before full privileges.

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    Official sources

    1. New Mexico MVD — Learner's Permit
    2. New Mexico MVD — Driver Manuals
    3. New Mexico MVD — Road & Written Test Requirements
    4. New Mexico MVD — Driver's Licenses & IDs
    5. New Mexico MVD — Driver Education Info

    Independent study resource. Road to Permit is not affiliated with or endorsed by any DMV, DPS, FLHSMV or other government agency. Official state sources control if information changes.