None for the Road: New Mexico DWI Class for New Drivers 18 to 24
Do I need the None for the Road class for my first New Mexico license at 18 to 24?
Yes. New Mexico law requires every applicant aged 18 to 24 for a first New Mexico license to show proof of a bureau-approved DWI prevention and education program. The MVD names the self-study None for the Road class by UNM Continuing Education (505-277-0051). Under MVD policy, an approved driver education or Motorcycle Safety Foundation certificate can substitute. At 25 or older, you need it only after a DWI conviction.
Where the None for the Road facts come from
The law comes from the text of 2019 Senate Bill 278, which changed Section 66-5-9 of the New Mexico statutes. The class name, sign-up details and the rules for other certificates come from the New Mexico MVD driver's license page and from the MVD policy on bureau-approved DWI prevention and education programs, plus the MVD Driver Procedures Manual, the MVD DWI information page and MVD FAQ pages. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the New Mexico MVD (mvd.newmexico.gov) before you drive.
Which DWI class or certificate you need, by age
What the None for the Road class is
None for the Road is a self-taught DWI Awareness Class. You study on your own, and when you finish you get a Certificate of Completion. UNM Continuing Education runs the class, not the MVD, so questions about the class go to UNM.
The certificate is one part of your license application. The MVD will not issue a license while your driving privileges are suspended, revoked or denied by New Mexico or another state.
How to sign up for None for the Road
- 1Get the class information and application
Find them online, or call UNM Continuing Education at 505-277-0051 (Albuquerque and nearby areas) or toll-free at 1-877-663-7465, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Brochures and applications are also at any MVD field office.
- 2Ask UNM about cost and time
Ask UNM Continuing Education what the class costs, how long it takes and how you receive your certificate.
- 3Finish the class and keep your certificate
Study the class material on your own. Keep the Certificate of Completion in a safe place.
- 4Take the certificate to the MVD
Bring the certificate and your other required identification to any MVD field office to apply for your license.
Certificates the MVD accepts for the DWI class rule
| Certificate | What the MVD says |
|---|---|
| None for the Road (UNM Continuing Education) | The class the MVD asks first-time applicants 18 to 24 to take. Any completion date counts. |
| Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) certificate | May substitute for None for the Road. |
| Driver education certificate from an approved driving school | May substitute, regardless of the date completed. |
| Another state's equivalent DWI program | Accepted for applicants 25 or older with a DWI conviction. |
| Proof of enrollment in approved driver education | Counts only toward a permit, not toward the license. |
None for the Road at 25 or older after a DWI
The law says an applicant 25 or older who was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and who applies for a first New Mexico license, must show proof of a bureau-approved DWI prevention and education program. MVD policy applies this to anyone "ever convicted of DWI", and there is no time limit on when you finished the program. None for the Road, another state's equivalent program, an MSF certificate or an approved driving school certificate can count.
Alcohol limits for New Mexico drivers under 21
The class is about drinking and driving, and the alcohol rules are strict for young drivers. If you are under 21, a chemical test result of 0.02% or more, or a refusal to take the test, leads to a one-year license revocation. Test yourself on this limit with our free under-21 alcohol limit question.
Key takeaways
- Age 18 to 24 and a first New Mexico license: bring a None for the Road certificate, or an approved driver education or MSF certificate.
- UNM Continuing Education runs the class: 505-277-0051 or toll-free 1-877-663-7465.
- A certificate from any date counts.
- Age 25 or older: you need the class or an equivalent program only after a DWI conviction.
- Next step: practice for the written test on our free New Mexico Class D practice test (English only).
None for the Road: common questions
Is None for the Road a test or a class?
It is a self-taught class, not an MVD test. You finish it on your own and get a Certificate of Completion. It does not replace any MVD test: a first-time applicant also passes the eye exam, the written test and the road test. With a current out-of-state license, the written and road tests are not required.
Does my None for the Road certificate expire?
No. MVD policy asks first-time applicants aged 18 to 24 for a None for the Road certificate "regardless of date completed". A class that you finished years ago still counts. The same policy accepts a driver education certificate from an approved driving school from any date. Bring the certificate to any MVD field office.
Can I get a learner's permit at 18 before I finish None for the Road?
MVD policy lets an applicant over 18 who is enrolled in an approved driver education course apply for a permit before getting the course certificate. Proof of enrollment counts only toward the permit. For a full Class D license, you need a driver education, None for the Road or MSF certificate. Read the New Mexico instructional permit rules for the next steps.
Can a motorcycle safety course count instead of None for the Road?
Yes. Under MVD policy, a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) certificate of completion may substitute for the None for the Road requirement. The same policy says that an applicant over 18 cannot get a full Class D or Class E license without a driver education, None for the Road or MSF certificate. Bring the certificate to any MVD field office.
What happens if I do not report an old DWI on my application?
Every applicant must say if he or she was ever convicted of DWI in New Mexico or anywhere else. Under the law, if the MVD finds the conviction before it issues the license, you get no license for one year. If it finds it later, it revokes the license for one year. Failing to report it on purpose is a misdemeanor.
Practise for your New Mexico Class D Written test
5 free practice tests with 100 questions, answers and explanations.
Start free Practice Test 1Share or ask AI about this article
Continue the conversation or send this guide to someone who needs it.
Related guides
How to Get a Class 7 Learner's Licence in Alberta (2026 Steps)
You can apply for an Alberta Class 7 learner's licence at 14. See the four steps, the knowledge test fee, the temporary licence and what you may drive.
Florida Learner's License at 15: Requirements, Hours and Rules
How to get a Florida learner's license at 15: the tests, the course, parental consent, who must ride with you, when you can drive and what comes next.
Can International Students Drive in Michigan? License Rules
Yes, if you are temporarily in the U.S., you may drive on your home license, with a translation or IDP if it is not in English. See the F-1 and J-1 documents.