PRESS RELEASE: MVD pauses certain commercial license, permit issuances

Michelle Lujan Grisham

Governor

Stephanie Schardin Clarke

Cabinet Secretary

Media Contact: Megan Gleason

megan.gleason@tax.nm.gov

(505) 231-3801

October 2, 2025

MVD pauses certain commercial license, permit issuances

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) has paused its issuance and renewal of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and commercial learner’s permits (CLPs) to certain non-domiciled foreign individuals, effective September 29, 2025.

This pause complies with emergency interim final rules issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration last week.

MVD’s pause in CDL and CPL issuance and renewal affects foreign nationals relying on an Employment Authorization card to substantiate their authorization to work in the United States.

MVD will continue to issue CDLs and CLPs to foreign nationals who present a foreign passport with an approved I-94 Arrival/Departure record.

New Mexico law complies with all federal requirements for the issuance of CDLs and CLPs to non-domiciled individuals. Currently, 204 CDLs and CLPs have been issued to non-domiciled individuals in New Mexico.

Previously, 2022 legislation introduced on behalf of MVD added requirements for issuances of CDLs and CLPs to foreign nationals who demonstrate lawful status in the United States. That bill, HB144, also provided that any individual convicted of certain human trafficking offenses would be disqualified from carrying a CDL for life.

Individuals who seek a new or renewed non-domiciled CDL or CLP based on an Employment Authorization card will not be able to complete their transaction through MVD or its partner offices at this time.

Individuals impacted by this pause may contact NMCDL.Helpdesk@tax.nm.gov for additional information.

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