Is an ignition interlock required after a first DWI conviction in New Mexico?

Yes. NMSA 1978 § 66-8-102(O) requires an offender convicted under the DWI statute to obtain an ignition interlock license and have an interlock installed and operating on all vehicles the offender drives, for a period of one year for a first offender. The Motor Vehicle Division states that this requirement applies even to first-time DWI offenders.

How long must the interlock stay installed for repeat DWI convictions in New Mexico?

Under § 66-8-102(O), two years for a second conviction, three years for a third, and the remainder of the offender's life for a fourth or subsequent conviction. Under § 66-8-102(P), five years after conviction and every five years thereafter a fourth-or-subsequent offender may apply to a district court for removal of the interlock requirement for good cause.

What does New Mexico require to reinstate a license revoked for DWI?

NMSA § 66-5-33.1(B) lists an additional $75 fee, completion of the revocation period, satisfaction of court-ordered interlock requirements, a minimum of six months of driving with an ignition interlock license with no attempts to circumvent, remove or tamper with the device, evidence the device has not recorded two vehicle lockouts, and evidence of verified active usage. The MVD states the reinstatement fee it collects is $102.

Who pays for the interlock in New Mexico, and is there help for low-income drivers?

Under § 66-8-102(O), unless the bureau determines the offender indigent, the offender pays all costs of having the device installed. The MVD states the NMDOT Traffic Safety Division administers a legislatively mandated Ignition Interlock Indigent Fund, funded by fees collected from DWI offenders, to help eligible indigent offenders with installing, leasing and removing the device; the MVD collects a $50 interlock fee when issuing an Ignition Interlock License unless the applicant is qualified as indigent.

NMVerified against primary sources · August 28, 2026

New Mexico ignition interlock & DUI requirements

Ignition interlock device rules, approved vendors, SR-22 insurance filing, and license reinstatement in New Mexico, cited to the statute and the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, Motor Vehicle Division.

IID on first offense: Required
Minimum IID period (first): 1 year
SR-22 filing: No
Reinstatement fee: $102

What New Mexico law requires

New Mexico's ignition interlock, SR-22, and reinstatement rules are set by the statute and agency rules cited below. The values in the tables on this page are taken from those sources and are not interpretations of how they apply to any particular case.

Primary source: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 66-8-102(O)

Ignition interlock requirement

Ignition interlock requirements in New Mexico by offense
Item	New Mexico rule
IID on first offense	Required
Minimum IID period, first offense	1 year
Minimum IID period, repeat offense	2 years (second conviction); 3 years (third conviction); remainder of the offender's life (fourth or subsequent conviction, with district-court removal possible every five years)

NMSA 1978 § 66-8-102(O) provides that upon any conviction under the DWI statute the offender 'shall be required' to obtain an ignition interlock license and have an interlock installed on all vehicles driven, for one year for a first offender. The Motor Vehicle Division states the requirement 'applies even to first-time DWI offenders.' Separately, § 66-5-33.1(B)(4) conditions reinstatement of a license revoked for DWI or under the Implied Consent Act on a minimum of six months of driving with an ignition interlock license without circumvention, removal or tampering.

Approved interlock providers

Vendors listed here appear on the New Mexico licensing agency's approved-device list. Listing order is alphabetical and is not a ranking or endorsement. Installation locations are on each vendor's own locator.

Official approved-vendor list: New Mexico agency vendor list

Approved interlock vendors in New Mexico
Vendor	Website	Location finder
Alcohol Detection Systems	Alcohol Detection Systems website	Find a location
ALCOLOCK	ALCOLOCK website	Find a location
Guardian Interlock	Guardian Interlock website	Find a location
Intoxalock	Intoxalock website	Find a location
LifeSafer	LifeSafer website	Find a location
RoadGuard Interlock	RoadGuard Interlock website	Find a location
Smart Start	Smart Start website	Find a location

SR-22 requirement

An SR-22 is a certificate an insurer files with the state to confirm that a driver carries the liability coverage the state requires. Some states use an FR-44 or a different form for alcohol-related offenses; where New Mexico does, the sources below say so.

SR-22 requirement in New Mexico
SR-22 filing required after a DUI	No
Filing period	Not applicable

New Mexico does not use an SR-22 filing after DWI. The Motor Vehicle Division's Chapter 10 reinstatement manual enumerates the requirements for an Ignition Interlock License, with 'proof of financial responsibility' satisfied by a vehicle liability insurance policy or certification, an insurance binder, a state Treasurer's Certificate of Deposit, or a Surety Bond Certificate; and NMSA § 66-5-33.1(B) enumerates the reinstatement requirements after a DWI revocation (fee, completion of the revocation period, court-ordered interlock requirements, six months of interlock-license driving, lockout evidence, verified active usage) with no SR-22 or certificate-of-insurance filing.

Compare SR-22 rules in every state

Program costs

Fees set by the state are cited to the fee schedule. Vendor charges vary by vendor and are shown as published ranges with the month they were checked.

Post-DUI program costs in New Mexico
Item	Amount	As of
License reinstatement fee	$102	2026-08-28
MVD reinstatement fee after DWI revocation (MVD-stated amount)	$102	2026-08
Statutory reinstatement fees (NMSA § 66-5-33.1): base fee plus additional DWI fee	$25.00 + $75.00	2026-08
Ignition Interlock License fee (Class D, E or M), payable if the license is issued	$63.00	2026-08
Ignition interlock (indigent fund) add-on fee collected by MVD when an Ignition Interlock License is issued, unless the applicant is qualified as indigent by the Traffic Safety Bureau	$50.00	2026-08
Device costs	Unless determined indigent by the bureau, the offender pays all costs of installation (§ 66-8-102(O)); the NMDOT Traffic Safety Division administers an Ignition Interlock Indigent Fund for installation, leasing and removal costs; service centers must file a fee schedule for installation, monthly lease, service visits, violation visits and removal (18.20.11 NMAC)	2026-08

Frequently asked questions

Is an ignition interlock required after a first DWI conviction in New Mexico?: Yes. NMSA 1978 § 66-8-102(O) requires an offender convicted under the DWI statute to obtain an ignition interlock license and have an interlock installed and operating on all vehicles the offender drives, for a period of one year for a first offender. The Motor Vehicle Division states that this requirement applies even to first-time DWI offenders.
How long must the interlock stay installed for repeat DWI convictions in New Mexico?: Under § 66-8-102(O), two years for a second conviction, three years for a third, and the remainder of the offender's life for a fourth or subsequent conviction. Under § 66-8-102(P), five years after conviction and every five years thereafter a fourth-or-subsequent offender may apply to a district court for removal of the interlock requirement for good cause.
What does New Mexico require to reinstate a license revoked for DWI?: NMSA § 66-5-33.1(B) lists an additional $75 fee, completion of the revocation period, satisfaction of court-ordered interlock requirements, a minimum of six months of driving with an ignition interlock license with no attempts to circumvent, remove or tamper with the device, evidence the device has not recorded two vehicle lockouts, and evidence of verified active usage. The MVD states the reinstatement fee it collects is $102.
Does New Mexico require an SR-22 after a DWI?: No SR-22 filing appears in the requirements. The MVD's Chapter 10 manual lists proof of financial responsibility for an Ignition Interlock License as a vehicle liability insurance policy or certification, an insurance binder, a state Treasurer's Certificate of Deposit, or a Surety Bond Certificate, and § 66-5-33.1(B) lists no SR-22 among the DWI reinstatement requirements.
Who pays for the interlock in New Mexico, and is there help for low-income drivers?: Under § 66-8-102(O), unless the bureau determines the offender indigent, the offender pays all costs of having the device installed. The MVD states the NMDOT Traffic Safety Division administers a legislatively mandated Ignition Interlock Indigent Fund, funded by fees collected from DWI offenders, to help eligible indigent offenders with installing, leasing and removing the device; the MVD collects a $50 interlock fee when issuing an Ignition Interlock License unless the applicant is qualified as indigent.