What is the minimum age to obtain a New Mexico learner's permit?

In New Mexico, the minimum age to obtain a learner's permit is 15 years old. This age requirement is designed to ensure that young drivers have the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge needed for safe driving under the supervision of an experienced adult. The learner's permit allows new drivers to practice driving while they are still honing their abilities and knowledge of traffic laws.

Obtaining the learner's permit at this age also aligns with the state's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program, which is intended to reduce risks for novice drivers by implementing graduated stages of driving privileges. This helps foster a responsible driving environment that prioritizes safety for all road users.

In contrast, being too young, such as at 14 years old or 16 years old, would not comply with these guidelines, as those ages do not align with the structured approach New Mexico takes toward rookie drivers learning to operate a vehicle.