Revised May 19, 2009

1. Staggered Vehicle Registration (66-3-20.1)
   
   All vehicles (except off-highway vehicles, freight trailers, and permanently registered utility trailers and travel trailers) are presently registered on a one-year or two-year basis with the registration expiring one or two years from the month in which the Title and Registration are issued. These vehicles are issued a license plate and validation sticker, which shows both the month and year that the current registration will expire. Registration expires on the last day of the month and year shown on the validation sticker and on the Certificate of Registration. NOTE: There is no grace period and persons who operate their vehicles after the expiration date are subject to late registration penalties. (66-3-19E) Off-highway vehicles are issued a staggered 3 year registration sticker; the computer system will print the registration certificate with an expiration date of 3 years.
    
2. Fleet Vehicles Registration
   
   The fleet vehicle registration program allows the owner of 50 or more vehicles that are under 26,001 pounds to register all of the vehicles in the common month of December. A staggered year/month validation sticker showing the month of December and the current year is issued.
   
   NOTE: After October 1, clerk will issue a December staggered sticker for the next year and assess 12 months registration fee plus the additional monthly increments. (Example: October application – charge 14 months registration).
   
   Fleet owners must renew their registrations for their vehicles by December 31 of the current year. Failure to do so will result in late penalty fees.
   
   Vehicle Services processes all vehicle transactions with fleet status.
    
3. Permanent Registration (66-3-2A)
   
   The registration for freight trailers is permanent. Freight trailers will be registered once. At the time of resale, the new owner will be required to pay the registration fee in his own name. The license plate itself will have affixed to it by stamp or impression the word “PERM” and/or “PERMANENT.” The paper registration certificate for that plate and vehicle will reflect the term “permanent” in regards to expiration. Both the vehicle and Certificate of Registration will be permanent for the life of the vehicle.
   
   Utility trailers and travel trailers, under 6001 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight, may now be registered permanently. The fee for a utility trailer is $25.00 for the first 500 pounds, plus $5.00 for each additional 100 pounds rounded. The fee for a travel trailer is computed by dividing the weight by 2, then assessing $25.00 for the first 500 pounds, plus $5.00 for each additional 100 pounds rounded. The registration fee for transfer of a permanently registered trailer is $5.
    
4. Farm Truck Registration (66-6-4F NMSA 1978)
   
   Farm trucks (over 6,000 pounds) are staggered. Registration fees are two-thirds (2/3) of truck fees based on the DGVW (Declared Gross Vehicle Weight).
    
5. Commercial Vehicle Registration – Vehicles Over 26,000 Pounds DGVW
   
   The Motor Vehicle Division now handles registration of vehicles with a Declared Gross Vehicle Weight (DGVW) over 26,000 pounds. Weight Distance (WD), the International Registration Plan (IRP), International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) and Tax Identification Cards are handled through this program.
   
   WD Plate (Full Base Plate)
   A vehicle titled in New Mexico with a Declared Gross Vehicle Weight that exceeds 26,000 pounds is issued a WD plate. This type of registration is generally utilized for intrastate operations of New Mexico based vehicles.
   
   IRP
   The International Registration Plan is a program for licensing commercial vehicles (tractors, trucks, trailers and buses) in intrastate and interstate operations among member jurisdictions. A carrier should obtain apportioned registrations for its fleet if the vehicles are titled in New Mexico and if 1) vehicles have two axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight in excess of 26,000 pounds; 2) a power unit having three or more axles, regardless of weight; or 3) a vehicle used in combination with a trailer and the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.
   
   IFTA
   The International Fuel Tax Agreement is a base state fuel tax agreement. Upon application, the carrier’s base state jurisdiction will issue credentials (both a license and decals) which will allow the IFTA licensee to travel in all IFTA member jurisdictions. Any carrier having IFTA is required to file a quarterly tax report.
   
   Tax Identification Cards
   The New Mexico Tax Identification Card Application is required for all vehicles that exceed 26,000 pounds regardless of registration type. IFTA is for fuel and does not replace the Tax Identification Card. The Tax Identification Card is to identify the owner and for collection of the New Mexico Weight Distance Tax. Each carrier is required to file a quarterly tax report even if the carrier has not traveled through or into New Mexico.