New Mexico Statutes Chapter 66. Motor Vehicles § 66-3-101. Transfer by owner; recordation of mileage of vehicle; use of the plate and registration number on another vehicle

A. When the owner of a registered vehicle sells, transfers or assigns the owner's title to or interest in, and delivers the possession of, the vehicle to another, the registration of the vehicle shall expire. The previous owner shall notify the division of the sale or transfer giving the date thereof, the name and address of the new owner and such description of the vehicle as may be required in the appropriate form provided for such purpose by the division. In the case of any transfer, including but not limited to a transfer resulting from a sale, lease, gift or auction of any vehicle, the person making the transfer shall sign and shall record on the document evidencing the transfer of the vehicle the actual mileage of the vehicle as indicated by the vehicle's odometer at the time of the transfer.

B. When the owner of a registered vehicle sells, transfers or assigns title to or interest in the vehicle, the owner shall remove the registration plates from the vehicle, except as provided in Subsection C of this section, and either forward the registration plates to the division or its authorized agent to be destroyed or apply to have the plate and the registration number assigned to another vehicle of the same class. The division may assign the plate and registration number to the newly acquired vehicle of the same class only upon payment of the registration fee, if applicable, and only if the application is made in the name of the original registered owner, unless the owner's name has been changed by marriage, divorce or court order.

C. When the owner of a vehicle bearing a current registration plate of a foreign state, territory or country transfers or assigns the owner's title or interest in the vehicle, the foreign registration plate shall be delivered, together with the title to the vehicle and evidence of registration, to the division or its authorized agent at the time application is made for a New Mexico registration plate, except when the assignment or transfer of the title is to a bona fide resident of the foreign state, territory or country in which the vehicle is registered.

D. The registration plate shall not be displayed on the newly acquired vehicle until the registration of the vehicle has been completed and a new registration certificate issued. However, the temporary registration permit issued for the vehicle by the dealer pursuant to the provisions of Section 66-3-6 NMSA 1978 shall be displayed in accordance with Subsection B of Section 66-3-18 NMSA 1978.