New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico SB73: DRIVER'S ED REQUIREMENTS
Status: Signed into law, March 9, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to driver education; requiring driver education courses and schools to include at least three hours of education and training on driving with vulnerable road users.
From the enrolled text, March 10, 2026:
AN ACT RELATING TO DRIVER EDUCATION; REQUIRING DRIVER EDUCATION COURSES AND SCHOOLS TO INCLUDE AT LEAST THREE HOURS OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING ON DRIVING WITH VULNERABLE ROAD USERS. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. Section 22-13-12 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1967, Chapter 16, Section 186, as amended) is amended to read: "22-13-12. APPROVED DRIVER-EDUCATION COURSES.-- A. The department or its designated representative shall adopt and promulgate minimum standards for approved driver-education and motorcycle driver-education courses taught in any school in the state, which shall include at least three hours of education and training on driving with vulnerable road users. B. A driver-education or motorcycle driver-education course shall provide to students legally entitled to operate the type of motor vehicle involved classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel or on-themotorcycle training in the safe operation of the motor vehicle. C. An approved driver-education or motorcycle driver-education course is a course of instruction certified by the secretary as meeting the minimum standards for a driver-education course adopted by the department or its SB Page designated representative. D. As used in this section, "vulnerable road user" includes: (a) a pedestrian, including a person engaged in work or in the provision of emergency services upon or along a roadway; (b) a person riding or leading an animal; or (c) …
Sponsors
- Heather Berghmans (D, SD-015) · primary sponsor
- Antoinette Sedillo Lopez (D, SD-016)
- Cristina Parajón (D, HD-025)
- Natalie Figueroa (D, SD-018)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor - Chapter 57 - Mar. 9
- : Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:45 N:2
- : HTPWC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : Sent to HTPWC - Referrals: HTPWC
- : Passed in the Senate - Y:25 N:16
- : STBTC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : SEC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : SCC: Reported by committee to fall within the purview of a 30 day session
- : Sent to SCC - Referrals: SCC/SEC/STBTC
Votes
- House Floor Vote (February 18, 2026): 45 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Senate Floor Vote (February 14, 2026): 25 yea, 16 nay, passed
Subjects: MOTOR VEHICLES (autos, trucks, buses, cycles), EDUCATION, OTHER
Common questions
- What is SB73?
- SB73 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): DRIVER'S ED REQUIREMENTS.
- What does SB73 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to driver education; requiring driver education courses and schools to include at least three hours of education and training on driving with vulnerable road users.
- What is the status of SB73?
- Signed into law as of March 9, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor - Chapter 57 - Mar. 9 (March 9, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB73?
- Heather Berghmans (D, SD-015), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB73?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legType=B&legNo=73&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.