New Mexico § 66-3-6 - Temporary registration permits, demonstration permits and transport permits
Full text of New Mexico New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 66-3-6 — Temporary registration permits, demonstration permits and transport permits, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 66-3-6. Temporary registration permits, demonstration permits and transport permits
A. The department may issue a temporary registration permit to individuals to operate
a vehicle pending action by the department upon an application for registration and
certificate of title or renewal of registration when the application is accompanied
by the proper fees and taxes. The temporary registration permit shall be valid for a period not to exceed thirty
business days from the day it is validated by the department. Temporary registration permits shall not be extended nor another issued except for
good cause shown. B. The department may issue a demonstration permit to individuals and financing institutions
to operate a vehicle for the purpose of demonstrating the vehicle for resale. The demonstration permit shall be valid for a period not to exceed five business
days from the day it is validated by the department. Demonstration permits shall not be extended nor another issued except for good cause
shown. C. The department may issue a transport permit to a manufacturer of vehicles or transporter
of manufactured homes for the purpose of demonstrating or transporting the vehicle
to a dealer's location. The transport permit shall be valid for a period not to exceed ten business days,
shall state the number of days for which the transport permit is valid and shall be
validated by the signature of the manufacturer or transporter. Transport permits shall not be extended nor another issued except for good cause
shown. D. The department shall issue transport permits to dealers licensed pursuant to Section 66-4-1 NMSA 1978 . Transport permits shall be used only on vehicles held in the inventory of the dealer
to whom the transport permits are issued. The transport permits shall be used only for importing vehicles into this state
or for transporting vehicles between dealers intrastate. Use of transport permits pursuant to this section shall be deemed compliance with
the requirements of Section 66-3-4 NMSA 1978 . The transport permits shall be valid for not more than five business days from the
date of validation. Transport permits shall: (1) name the dealer to whom the transport permits are issued; (2) name the authorized driver of the vehicle; (3) show the point of origin and termination of the trip covered by the transport
permit; and (4) be signed and dated by the dealer who executed the transport permit. E. The department shall issue temporary registration permits to dealers licensed pursuant
to Section 66-4-1 NMSA 1978 . Temporary registration permits shall be used only on vehicles sold at retail by
the dealer to whom the temporary registration permits are issued and shall not be
extended nor another issued for the same vehicle except for good cause shown. Use of the temporary registration permits pursuant to this section shall be deemed
compliance with the provisions of Section 66-3-4 NMSA 1978 . The temporary registration permits shall be valid for not more than thirty days
from the date of validation. Temporary registration permits shall: (1) name the dealer to whom the temporary registration permits are issued; (2) name the person to whom the vehicle has been sold; and (3) be signed and dated by the dealer who executed the temporary registration permit. F. The department shall issue demonstration permits to dealers licensed pursuant to Section 66-4-1 NMSA 1978 . Demonstration permits shall be used only on vehicles included in the inventory of
the dealer to whom the demonstration permits are issued. The demonstration permits shall be used to allow the operation of vehicles for the
limited purposes of testing, demonstrating or preparing a vehicle for sale or lease. Demonstration permits may not be used on work or service vehicles, as that term
is defined in Section 66-3-401 NMSA 1978 , that are owned, used or held in inventory by a dealer. Use of the demonstration permits pursuant to this section shall be deemed compliance
with the provisions of Section 66-3-4 NMSA 1978 . A demonstration permit, after being affixed to a specific vehicle, shall be valid
for as long as the vehicle is held in the dealer's inventory. A dealer who uses demonstration permits is required to maintain a list showing the
date on which the dealer assigned the permit to a vehicle and the name and a description
of the vehicle, including its make, model, model year and vehicle identification number. A dealer shall maintain the list for three years from the end of the year in which
the dealer issued the permit and must make it available to the department or its agents
and to law enforcement officers during reasonable business hours. When a vehicle is sold, the dealer shall keep demonstration permits with other records
of the sale. A demonstration permit shall: (1) name the dealer to whom the demonstration permit is issued; and (2) display a unique identification number assigned by the department. G. The department may authorize in writing dealers licensed pursuant to Section 66-4-1 NMSA 1978 to print and use at their own cost demonstration permits in conformance with the
provisions of Subsection F of this section, subject to reasonable requirements established
by the department. H. The department may authorize agents of the division, in writing, to print and issue
demonstration permits to be used by dealers in conformance with the provisions of
Subsection F of this section, subject to reasonable requirements established by the
department. Agents who issue demonstration permits shall maintain a list showing the date on
which the permit was issued and the name of the dealer to whom it was issued. Agents shall maintain the list for three years from the end of the year in which
they issued the permit and shall make it available to the department or its agents,
and to law enforcement officers, during reasonable business hours. A demonstration permit shall: (1) name the dealer to whom the permit is issued; and (2) display a unique identification number assigned by the department. I. The department shall prescribe the size, shape and content of all temporary registration
permits, demonstration permits and transport permits authorized by this section. A temporary registration permit, demonstration permit or transport permit is not
valid until affixed to the vehicle for which it is validated in a manner prescribed
by the department. J. For the misuse of a temporary registration permit, demonstration permit or transport
permit authorized by this section by an individual, financing institution, manufacturer
of vehicles, transporter of manufactured homes, dealer or auto recycler, the secretary
may revoke or suspend the use of that type of permit after a hearing as provided in Section 66-2-17 NMSA 1978 . K. The department shall collect the administrative fee imposed in Section 66-2-16 NMSA 1978 in addition to the actual cost of the temporary registration permit, demonstration
permit or transport permit for each permit issued by the department pursuant to this
section to individuals, financial institutions, manufacturers, transporters or auto
recyclers. L. The department may issue temporary registration permits, demonstration permits
and transport permits to dealers in units of not less than one hundred at a fee established
by the department to cover the actual cost of the permits. An administrative fee shall not be charged by the department when permits are issued
by the department pursuant to the provisions of this subsection. M. The fees authorized by Subsections K and L of this section to cover the actual
cost of the permits are appropriated to the department to defray the costs of administering
the permits program. The department shall remit the administrative fee revenues of this section to the
motor vehicle suspense fund to be distributed in accordance with Section 66-6-23 NMSA 1978 .
Source: official New Mexico text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About New Mexico § 66-3-6
What does New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 66-3-6 cover?
Section 66-3-6 ("Temporary registration permits, demonstration permits and transport permits") is part of the New Mexico Statutes Annotated, the codified statutory law of New Mexico. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite New Mexico § 66-3-6?
A common citation format is "New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 66-3-6" (New Mexico). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of New Mexico law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the New Mexico official source linked on this page or consult a licensed New Mexico attorney.
How does New Mexico § 66-3-6 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in New Mexico can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in New Mexico.