Driving safety course
6-hour defensive driving class; 8-hour suspended license class
- Who can take it
When a person is convicted of a penalty assessment misdemeanor or another misdemeanor committed while driving, the court must consider ordering a driving safety course certified by the bureau and may not name a particular provider.
What the source says
“when a person is convicted of a penalty assessment misdemeanor or other misdemeanor committed while operating a motor vehicle, each court is authorized to and shall consider ordering that offender to take any driving safety course certified by the bureau but shall not specify a particular provider.”
New Mexico Statutes Annotated 1978, Section 66-10-11, read October 7, 2026
The suspended license course is required only for students whose driver's license has been suspended by the Motor Vehicle Division under the point system.
What the source says
“This course is required only for students whose driver's license has been suspended by the Motor Vehicle Division of the Taxation and Revenue Department based on the point system.”
18.20.8 NMAC, Driving Safety Schools, 18.20.8.12 Suspended license course, read October 7, 2026
- Course length
A distance learning driving safety course must provide six or more hours of coursework, based on an average person's completion time.
What the source says
“provide six (6) or more hours of coursework, based on an average person completion time.”
18.20.8 NMAC, Driving Safety Schools, 18.20.8.13 Distance learning course requirements, read October 7, 2026
- Taking it online
Driving safety classes may be taken in person or online, and students should check the court's or the Motor Vehicle Division's requirements before registering.
What the source says
“Driving Safety classes may be taken in person or online. Please review court or MVD requirements prior to registering for any course.”
New Mexico Traffic Safety Center: Driving Safety, Clients & Students, read October 7, 2026
The rule defines a distance learning course as a web-based driving safety course.
What the source says
“distance learning course means a web-based driving safety course.”
18.20.8 NMAC, Driving Safety Schools, 18.20.8.7 Definitions, read October 7, 2026
- Certificate
On satisfactory completion, students receive an official Bureau-issued certificate of completion from their driver safety instructor.
What the source says
“Upon satisfactory completion of a licensed driving safety program, students shall receive an official Bureau-issued certificate of completion from their driver safety instructor.”
New Mexico Traffic Safety Center: Driving Safety, Clients & Students, read October 7, 2026
- Who approves it
No one may operate a driving safety school without first obtaining a license from the Bureau.
What the source says
“No person may operate a driving safety school without first having obtained a license from the Bureau.”
18.20.8 NMAC, Driving Safety Schools, 18.20.8.8 Application for driving safety school license, read October 7, 2026
- Good to know
A distance learning course must have a proctored final exam with at least fifty questions.
What the source says
“have a proctored final exam with a minimum of fifty (50) questions.”
18.20.8 NMAC, Driving Safety Schools, 18.20.8.13 Distance learning course requirements, read October 7, 2026
A proctored exam is one monitored by a person or by electronic or other means to make sure the person taking it is the person who gets credit.
What the source says
“proctored exam means an exam monitored by a person or by electronic or other means to ensure that the person taking the exam is the person who will get credit for passing the exam.”
18.20.8 NMAC, Driving Safety Schools, 18.20.8.7 Definitions, read October 7, 2026