NMOHVA News & Announcements

Last Updated: October 28, 2009

On July 1, the OHV program officially transitions from the Tourism Department to the Department of Game & Fish (DG&F). This transition was legislated in Senate Bill 379 which passed the New Mexico Legislature and was signed into law by Governor Richardson on April 1st. DG&F has resurrected the "b4uride.com" website and it has been populated with up-to-date information on the state's OHV regulations, registrations, and safety requirements.

In a press release dated June 12th, the Department also announced an increase in enforcement "in an effort to educate the public and check for compliance with the requirements and safety provisions of the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act. " The DG&F will be will be assisted by officers with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police and county sheriff's departments during the statewide OHV education and compliance efforts.

NMOHVA has expressed its concern to DG&F that is difficult for New Mexico citizens to comply with the requirement that operators under the age of 18 have safety training. The OHV Act says that minors operating a motorcycle or ATV must have completed a certified OHV course and obtain a safety permit. At this time, there is very limited availability of ATV training (especially outside major cities) and there is no off road motorcycle training available anywhere in the state. NMOHVA has offered to work with DG&F to raise awareness of the revised OHV Act. We encourage the Department to find ways to make ATV and off road motorcycle safety training more available to New Mexicans.

b4uride.com Web Site from NMG&F

NMG&F Press Release