New Mexico § 66-5-39 - Driving while license suspended; penalties
Full text of New Mexico New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 66-5-39 — Driving while license suspended; penalties, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 66-5-39. Driving while license suspended; penalties
A. A person who drives a motor vehicle on any public highway of this state at a time
when the person's privilege to do so is suspended and who knows or should have known
that the person's license was suspended is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be punished
pursuant to Subsection B of Section 66-8-7 NMSA 1978 or for no more than ninety days of participation in a certified alternative
sentencing program. When a person pays any or all of the cost of participating in a certified alternative
sentencing program, the court may apply that payment as a deduction to any fine imposed
by the court. Any municipal ordinance prohibiting driving with a suspended license shall provide
penalties no less stringent than provided in this section. B. In addition to any other penalties imposed pursuant to the provisions of this section,
when a person is convicted pursuant to the provisions of this section or a municipal
ordinance that prohibits driving on a suspended license, the motor vehicle the person
was driving may be immobilized by an immobilization device for thirty days, unless
immobilization of the motor vehicle poses an imminent danger to the health, safety
or employment of the convicted person's immediate family or the family of the owner
of the motor vehicle. The convicted person shall bear the cost of immobilizing the motor vehicle.
Source: official New Mexico text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About New Mexico § 66-5-39
What does New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 66-5-39 cover?
Section 66-5-39 ("Driving while license suspended; penalties") 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 § 66-5-39?
A common citation format is "New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 66-5-39" (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 § 66-5-39 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.