09/16/2026
2018 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles
Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles
Section 66-3-119 - Vehicle or motor vehicle to be dismantled.
Universal Citation:
NM Stat § 66-3-119 (2018)
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66-3-119. Vehicle or motor vehicle to be dismantled.
A. Except as provided in Sections 66-3-114 through 66-3-121 NMSA 1978, any person who sells, gives away, trades or disposes of any vehicle or motor vehicle as scrap or to be dismantled or destroyed by any person required to be licensed under Section 66-4-1 NMSA 1978, shall assign the certificate of title of such vehicle or motor vehicle to the recipient and shall deliver the same to the recipient. A licensed dismantler receiving any registration plates shall either return them to the owner upon demand or surrender them, within five days of receiving the plates, to the division.
B. Except as provided in Sections 66-3-114 through 66-3-121 NMSA 1978, no person shall dismantle or destroy a vehicle or motor vehicle unless he possesses a certificate of title or other proof of ownership of the vehicle or motor vehicle and completes and sends in the dismantler's notification form to the motor vehicle division and any law enforcement agency designated by the motor vehicle division for that purpose.
C. Any person licensed under Section 66-4-1 NMSA 1978 may take possession of an abandoned motor vehicle provided:
(1) he obtains at the time of acquisition a written clearance form from a law enforcement agency mentioned in Section 66-3-121 NMSA 1978;
(2) he, within five days after acquisition of said vehicle or motor vehicle, requests from the motor vehicle division an official printout indicating the names and addresses of all lienholders and owners of record. If the vehicle or motor vehicle has out-of-state license plates or the licensee has some other reason to believe that the vehicle or motor vehicle is registered in a state other than New Mexico, he must request the same information from the appropriate agency of that state;
(3) he, within five days after receiving the names and addresses of all lienholders and owners of record, informs them by certified mail, return receipt requested, of his possession of the vehicle or motor vehicle and all charges against the vehicle or motor vehicle, if any, and of his intent to dispose of said vehicle if no claim be made within thirty days after the delivery of the letter;
(4) in those cases where neither the motor vehicle division, nor the appropriate state agency specified in this section, is able to furnish the names of any lienholders or owners of record, the vehicle shall then be deemed as abandoned; and a licensed dismantler may dispose of the vehicle or motor vehicle once he has properly completed a dismantler's notification form for the vehicle or motor vehicle and has mailed one copy of the form to the motor vehicle division, and one copy of the form to the law enforcement agency designated by the motor vehicle division for that purpose, together with a copy of the correspondence with either the motor vehicle division or the state agency specified in this section indicating that there are no lienholders or owners of record;
(5) when a lienholder or owner of record is known and the required notice has been sent, and the dismantler has waited the required thirty days and has not received a valid claim, he shall properly complete a dismantler's notification form for the vehicle or motor vehicle and send one copy of the form together with any correspondence with the motor vehicle division or appropriate state agency specified in this subsection, indicating the names and addresses of lienholders and owners of record plus proof of notification, together with an affidavit signed by the dismantler stating under oath or affirmation that he has complied with provisions of this section and he has not received during the thirty-day period following notification any valid claim against the vehicle or motor vehicle in question, or while a valid claim has been made, he has not received within sixty days following such notification payment for fees connected with towing and storage of the vehicle or motor vehicle in question. One copy of the dismantler's notification form shall be sent to the law enforcement agency designated by the motor vehicle division for that purpose;
(6) any person who fails to give notice required in this subsection within the time limit specified shall forfeit all liens, interest and claims to the vehicle or motor vehicle in question if claimed by an owner or lienholder;
(7) failure of an owner or lienholder to assert a claim or to pay all legal storage or towing fees, if any, within the specified period of time shall result in that person's forfeiture of liens, interest or claims to the vehicle or motor vehicle; and
(8) upon complying with the above conditions and waiting the required period of time, such a vehicle or motor vehicle shall be deemed the property of the dismantler for dismantling or salvage purposes and he shall not be required to take further action under the lien laws of this state unless the vehicle or motor vehicle is used for other than dismantling or salvage purposes, and any person licensed under Section 66-4-1 NMSA 1978, may dismantle or destroy such a vehicle or motor vehicle.
2018 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles
Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles
Section 66-3-120 - Transportation of certain vehicles; proof of ownership.
Universal Citation:
NM Stat § 66-3-120 (2018)
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66-3-120. Transportation of certain vehicles; proof of ownership.
A. Any person transporting any crushed or inoperable vehicle or motor vehicle on any public way, street or highway in any manner whatsoever shall have in his possession proof of ownership of such vehicle, or:
(1) an affidavit from the property owner upon whose property the vehicle or motor vehicle was abandoned authorizing the vehicle's removal from the property owner's land; and
(2) a police clearance indicating the vehicle has not been reported stolen.
B. Any person who possesses either a New Mexico dismantler's or wrecker's license, a New Mexico auto dealer's license, a state corporation commission [public regulation commission] license or a vehicle contract or common carrier license issued by the federal interstate commerce commission, shall be exempt from the provisions of this section while transporting vehicles which are not abandoned, provided he prominently displays a dealer's license plate or a dismantler's plate on the vehicle in tow, or has a New Mexico state corporation commission [public regulation commission] vehicle contract or common carrier permit number or a federal interstate commerce commission vehicle contract or common carrier permit number prominently displayed on the towing vehicle.
C. Any person failing to have such documentation in his possession while transporting such a vehicle or motor vehicle is subject to the penalties produced in Section 66-4-9 NMSA 1978 and any vehicle or motor vehicle being transported by such a person shall be subject to immediate confiscation. Said vehicle or motor vehicle shall be towed to an authorized police impound lot until proof of ownership is presented or until the documentation described in this section is provided by either the owner of the vehicle or the person in possession. Failure to provide such documentation within thirty days shall result in the vehicle or motor vehicle being deemed unclaimed and thus subject to claim by the person or firm in possession.
2018 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles
Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles
Section 66-3-121 - Disposal of abandoned vehicle or motor vehicle.
Universal Citation:
NM Stat § 66-3-121 (2018)
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66-3-121. Disposal of abandoned vehicle or motor vehicle.
A. Any person upon whose property or in whose possession is found an abandoned vehicle or motor vehicle shall have authority to sell, retain, give away or dispose of the abandoned vehicle or motor vehicle to any person licensed under Sections 66-4-1 through 66-4-9 NMSA 1978 provided that he notifies a law enforcement agency prior to the disposal and obtains from that agency a written clearance stating that neither the agency's records nor the computerized records of the national crime information center indicate that the abandoned vehicle or motor vehicle has been reported as stolen and either:
(1) the vehicle or motor vehicle in question regardless of its age is either totally wrecked or in such a state of disrepair that it is suitable only for dismantling purposes;
(2) the vehicle or motor vehicle in question is at least eight years of age or older; or
(3) the vehicle or motor vehicle in question has been placed in any storage or wrecker yard at the request of a law enforcement agency or a property owner upon whose property the vehicle or motor vehicle was abandoned and has remained unclaimed in that yard for a period of thirty days, in which case the owner of the storage yard may proceed to make a claim against the motor vehicle or vehicle, as specified in Subsection C of Section 66-3-119 NMSA 1978 as though it were abandoned. Any person wishing to obtain the vehicle may not charge more than fifty cents ($.50) per day for storage unless he is licensed as a vehicle storage yard, and he must notify owners and lienholders within thirty days or lose all rights to claim the vehicle.
B. In the case of any vehicle or motor vehicle which is less than eight years of age or in such a state of repair that it will be placed back into service or which is not to be used for dismantling purposes or which a property owner wishes to retain for his own use or to sell to anyone other than a licensed dismantler, the person shall proceed to make claim for the vehicle or motor vehicle through a lien process and obtain a new certificate of title prior to disposal.
2018 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles
Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles
Section 66-3-122 - Registration effective after death of owner.
Universal Citation:
NM Stat § 66-3-122 (2018)
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66-3-122. Registration effective after death of owner.
Upon the death of an owner of a vehicle subject to registration, its registration shall continue in force as a valid registration until the end of the registration period for which the license plate or sticker was issued, or until the ownership of the vehicle is transferred before the end of such registration period by the executor or administrator of the estate of the deceased owner or by a legatee or distributee of the estate, or until the ownership thereof is transferred to a new owner before the end of such registration period by the survivor of two joint owners thereof.
2018 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles
Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles
Section 66-3-123 - Requirements of purchaser; forms; distribution.
Universal Citation:
NM Stat § 66-3-123 (2018)
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66-3-123. Requirements of purchaser; forms; distribution.
Purchasers licensed under the provisions of Section 66-4-1 NMSA 1978 shall, upon purchase of a vehicle to be dismantled, crushed or otherwise destroyed, send copies of the dismantler's notification form as provided for in Section 66-3-124 NMSA 1978 to the following persons:
A. one copy to the department as required by Section 66-3-121 NMSA 1978 along with the actual title or proof of ownership required in the state in which the vehicle is registered or licensed, provided that, with the prior approval of the department, the required information may be transmitted electronically to the department in lieu of submitting a copy of the form;
B. one copy by certified mail within thirty days of acquisition to the local law enforcement agency designated by the department. The agency must process the form through the files of stolen or embezzled vehicles within five days of receipt of the form;
C. one copy to be retained by the purchaser for as long as the vehicle remains in the purchaser's possession or until the vehicle is destroyed; and
D. one copy to be retained and provided to any subsequent purchaser of the vehicle. The purchaser shall retain the copy for as long as the vehicle remains in his possession or until the vehicle is destroyed.
2018 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles
Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles
Section 66-3-123 - Requirements of purchaser; forms; distribution. (Effective January 1, 2019.)
Universal Citation:
NM Stat § 66-3-123 (2018)
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66-3-123. Requirements of purchaser; forms; distribution. (Effective January 1, 2019.)
In addition to any requirements pursuant to Section 1 of this 2018 act [66-4-10 NMSA 1978], purchasers licensed under the provisions of Section 66-4-1 NMSA 1978 shall, upon purchase of a vehicle to be dismantled, crushed or otherwise destroyed, submit copies of the dismantler's notification form as provided for in Section 66-3-124 NMSA 1978 as follows:
A. electronically to the department as required by Section 66-3-121 NMSA 1978, along with the actual title or proof of ownership required in the state in which the vehicle is registered or licensed;
B. one copy by certified mail within thirty days of acquisition to the local law enforcement agency designated by the department. The agency shall process the form through the files of stolen or embezzled vehicles within five days of receipt of the form;
C. one copy to be retained by the purchaser for as long as the vehicle remains in the purchaser's possession or until the vehicle is destroyed, but in no instance fewer than three years; and
D. one copy to be retained and provided to any subsequent purchaser of the vehicle. The purchaser shall retain the copy for as long as the vehicle remains in the purchaser's possession or until the vehicle is destroyed.
2018 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles
Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles
Section 66-3-124 - Department to provide forms.
Universal Citation:
NM Stat § 66-3-124 (2018)
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66-3-124. Department to provide forms.
The department shall issue a dismantler's notification form to be used by any persons licensed under the provisions of Section 66-4-1 NMSA 1978 for all vehicles purchased to be dismantled, crushed or otherwise destroyed. The form shall require such information as is determined by the department to be necessary.
2018 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 66 - Motor Vehicles
Article 3 - Registration Laws; Security Interests; Anti-Theft Provisions; Bicycles; Equipment; Unsafe Vehicles; Off-Highway Motor Vehicles; Other Vehicles
Section 66-3-124 - Department to provide forms. (Effective January 1, 2019.)
Universal Citation:
NM Stat § 66-3-124 (2018)
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66-3-124. Department to provide forms. (Effective January 1, 2019.)
In addition to any requirements pursuant to Section 1 of this 2018 act [66-4-10 NMSA 1978], the department shall issue a dismantler's notification form to be used by any persons licensed under the provisions of Section 66-4-1 NMSA 1978 for all vehicles purchased to be dismantled, crushed or otherwise destroyed. The form shall require such information as is determined by the department to be necessary.
