What is the new driver's license and ID card?

As of April 21, 2008, there are two changes to the way New Mexico is issuing driver's licenses and identification (ID) cards. The first is the use of a temporary extension; the second is that your new card will be mailed to you. There's also a new card design.

To protect New Mexicans from identity theft, the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) has begun using Facial Recognition technology that allows us to compare your new photo with your most recent photo and every other photo in the MVD database. Since the verification process takes a little while, MVD customers will walk away with a temporary extension of their old driver's license or ID that can be used until the regular card arrives in the mail. Customers will also get their old card back with a hole punched in it. When we're sure that the customer is who they say they are, we process their driver's license or ID card at a secure, central location. Because the new card will be mailed, it is extremely important that we have a correct mailing address.

The new, high-tech driver's license and identification (ID) card has 12 new security features. Although we can't tell you about all of them, we can tell you that they include a ghost image of the card holder, a Guilloche security design on the face of the card, microprint across the bottom of the card and a Zia design laser perforation that can be seen with the naked eye by holding the card up to the light or shining a light through the card from behind.

Who gets the temporary driver's license/ID extension and how long is it valid?

Everyone who applies for a New Mexico driver's license or identification (ID) card will receive a temporary extension. This is true whether you're a first-time applicant, transferring from out of state, renewing or replacing a driver's license or ID; and it applies to every type of card issued by the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD).

If you are transferring from out of state or renewing your driver's license or ID, MVD will hole-punch your old license and return it to you along with the temporary extension.

The temporary extension is valid for 45 days from the date of issue. For driving purposes, the temporary driver's license extension is valid as a stand-alone document. The temporary extension is valid for identification purposes only when used in combination with another form of official government photo identification, such as a passport or previous driver's license or identification card.

You should receive your new, regular card by mail within two weeks. If you don?t receive your regular driver?s license or ID card within 20 days, call MVD at (888) 683-4636.

What are the security features of the new driver's license and identification (ID) card?

TThe new, high-tech driver's license and identification (ID) card has 12 new security features. Although we can't tell you about all of them, we can tell you that they include a ghost image of the card holder, a Guilloche security design on the face of the card, microprint across the bottom of the card and a Zia design laser perforation that can be seen with the naked eye by holding the card up to the light or shining a light through the card from behind.

How do the new driver's license and identification (ID) card and issuance process protect me from identity theft?

Your protection from identity theft comes from a high-tech solution called biometric facial recognition. Through the use of facial recognition technology MVD will compare your new photo with your most recent photo and the photos of all other drivers in the MVD database.

By comparing your new photo with your most recent photo in the MVD database, we can prevent someone from trying to use your identifying information to create a new identity. If the new photo and the most recent photo in the database don't match, MVD will not issue a temporary extension until they are satisfied that the applicant has proven their identity.

By comparing your new photo with every other driver's photo in the MVD database, we will be able to identify if more than one person is using the same identifying information (several photos associated with one record) or if one person has more than one identity (one photo associated with several records). If either of these instances exist, MVD will not produce a regular card until they are satisfied that the applicant has proven their identity.

Do businesses know about the temporary driver's license and identification (ID) card extension?

Yes, statewide outreach is taking place so businesses and government facilities that regularly check ID are aware of the new driver's license and ID extension and the new card design. Businesses and government facilities across the state are being asked to "Take the Temp" so you are not inconvenienced.

When I'm asked to show I.D. -- at the airport, banks, restaurants, bars, etc. -- what do I show?

If you have a temporary license/ID extension, you must present it with your hole-punched driver's license (or another form of official government photo identification if you are a first time driver). If you are traveling, we recommend you also bring your passport if you have one, or any other official government photo identification. We have met with TSA officials in New Mexico, neighboring states and Washington, D.C. However, as we all know one can never have too much identification when passing through these high security checkpoints.

When I'm asked to show ID -- at the airport, banks, restaurants, bars, etc. -- what do I show?

If you have a temporary driver's license or identification (ID) card extension, you must present it with your hole-punched driver's license (or another form of official government photo identification, such as a passport). When traveling, we recommend that you carry your passport, if you have one.

What should I do if a clerk or teller does not accept the temporary driver's license or identification (ID) card extension?

The temporary driver's license extension is valid for driving purposes as a stand-alone document.

Don't forget, the temporary driver's license and identification (ID) card are valid for identification purposes only when used in combination with another form of official government photo identification, such as a passport or previous driver's license or ID card. If someone challenges the combination of your temporary extension and hole-punched license (or another form of official government photo identification if you are a first time driver), the information on your temporary extension can be validated by calling MVD at (888) 683-4636.

When will this process be implemented?

The new driver's license program began April 21, 2008 in Santa Fe. It will be effective statewide by mid-June.

My New Mexico driver's license or identification (ID) card doesn't expire for a while. Am I required to get a new one now?

No, you are not required to get a new driver's license or identification (ID) card until your current one expires. Sixty (60) days before your current NM driver's license or ID card expires, MVD will send you a renewal notice urging you to renew it at least 30 days before it expires. If your driver's license or ID card does not expire for a while and you would like the new, secure driver's license or ID, you may come into MVD and get the new one at any time. When you come into MVD, your old license will be hole-punched and returned to you along with a temporary extension. The cost of the driver's license has not changed. The term of the new license will be calculated from the date your existing license expires.

What do I bring to MVD if I need to renew my driver's license or identification card?

Just bring your old license so long as it hasn't been expired for more than a month. If your driver's license has been expired more than a month, you'll have to provide one (1) proof of identity, one (1) proof of identification number and two (2) proofs of New Mexico residency. For a complete list of acceptable documents, please visit our website: http://www.tax.state.nm.us/pubs/chartnmdlid.pdf

What do I bring to MVD if I need to apply for a first-time New Mexico driver's license or identification (ID) card?

You'll have to provide one (1) proof of identity, one (1) proof of identification number and two (2) proofs of New Mexico residency. For a complete list of acceptable documents, please visit our website: http://www.tax.state.nm.us/pubs/chartnmdlid.pdf

Where can I obtain the new, secure driver's license or identification (ID) card?

In New Mexico, we provide services through three (3) types of field offices: state-run, municipally-contracted and private retail agents. The new, secure driver's license is issued from all offices that process driver's licenses. For a complete list of locations, please visit our website: http://www.tax.state.nm.us/mvd/MVDFieldOffices.htm