Mar 8, 2024 · Taxation & Revenue Department

News release: MVD starts work on digital licenses

Michelle Lujan Grisham

Governor

Stephanie Schardin Clarke

Cabinet Secretary

Media Contact: Charlie Moore

Charlie.Moore@tax.nm.gov

(505) 670-5406

March 6, 2024

Motor Vehicle Division ready to begin work on digital licenses

Governor signed bill authorizing electronic option

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division is ready to begin working with digital wallet providers on development of a new digital driver’s license option.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham recently signed a bill authorizing MVD to offer the new license option. Senate Bill 88 allows MVD to offer electronic credentials to customers at no additional cost to their physical licenses and identification cards.

Eight states, including neighboring Colorado and Arizona, currently offer mobile licenses to their residents, and 10 other states are in various stages of development.

“We know a lot of our customers are as excited about this as we are, so we’ll be working hard to have the new licenses available as soon as possible,” said MVD Director Htet Gonzales.

Some Transportation Security Administration (TSA) facilities and businesses are already accepting electronic credentials. Customers will still need to carry their physical credentials to operate a motor vehicle.

MVD is already planning the interfaces needed for the licenses to be used with digital wallets in a manner that ensures the security of customers’ data. The division will work with digital wallet services to make sure the New Mexico licenses meet the proper specifications.

The timing to launch mobile driver ’s licenses depends in part on entering agreements with digital wallet providers.

When opened on a smart phone or similar device, the electronic license or identification card displays a simplified version of the printed credential, with more detailed data encrypted in the file. The detailed credential information is accessed by a reading device programmed with digital keys to unlock the data.

Electronic credentials can be updated in real time, such as when MVD receives an address update from a driver or when a license is suspended or revoked.

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The Motor Vehicle Division strives to offer customers convenient channels to conduct their business. MVD regularly adds to services offered online and through convenient retail kiosks.

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