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How to Get Your New Mexico Motorcycle License

The actual step-by-step process, from application to full license — not just what's on the exam. Confirm anything time-sensitive (fees, forms) with New Mexico MVD directly.

  1. Apply for a motorcycle instruction permit

    Apply at an MVD office; pass a vision test and the 25-question motorcycle knowledge test (80%, 20 correct).

  2. Practice under permit restrictions

    Practice riding under the terms of your instruction permit before scheduling the skills test.

  3. Pass the on-cycle skills test

    Schedule and pass a separate on-cycle skills test to complete your motorcycle license.

  4. Wear required protective gear if under 18

    Any operator or passenger under 18 must wear a helmet meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 218; a rider 18 or older may ride without one.

Notes

  • New Mexico's under-18 helmet requirement also covers all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), under the same statute as motorcycles.
  • Arroyos on New Mexico's high-desert highways can flood suddenly during monsoon season, a real hazard worth planning for.
  • Exact fees and MVD scheduling change over time — confirm the current process on the official New Mexico MVD website before you ride.

Last reviewed: 2026-07-23