New Mexico issues license plates primarily for the rear of vehicles, as the state does not require front license plates for most passenger vehicles, although certain commercial vehicles like truck tractors may require them. The current standard passenger plates feature a turquoise base with a yellow serial and the , introduced in 2010 to commemorate New Mexico's centennial, replacing the earlier balloon-themed design. This turquoise plate, known as the Centennial Plate, displays "LAND OF ENCHANTMENT" at the top and "NEW MEXICO USA" below the serial. A newer black plate with green and red chili peppers, titled "CHILE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD," was introduced in July 2017 and has also been recognized with a "Plate of the Year" award.
The serial format for standard passenger plates is ABC-123, with the current series progressing from NZT-500 to SBC-521 as of January 28, 2025. The letters E, I, O, U, Q, and V are not used in regular passenger plate sequences. Specialty plates are available for various organizations and causes, such as UNM, NMSU, New Mexico State Police Retired, and support for troops, each with unique designs and serial formats. Additionally, novelty and decorative plates are available for purchase, including a black metal plate with a high-gloss finish, designed for display or mounting on vehicles.
The state has a history of issuing various plate designs since the 1970s, including early green, yellow, and red balloon-themed plates from 1999 to 2010, and earlier trailer and truck plates with distinct formats and slogans. New Mexico also issues non-passenger plates for trailers, trucks, and other vehicle types, with specific serial formats and issuance dates.
New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division
mvd.newmexico.gov › vehicles › license-plates
License Plates | Motor Vehicle Division NM
The division may specially register ... license plates on motor vehicles that are 30 or more years old. The division shall inspect the year-of-manufacture plate to ensure that it is in good condition and that the number on the plate is not already assigned or in use. To qualify for use, the year-of-manufacture plate shall be an authentic plate issued in New Mexico during the ...
New Mexico vehicle license plates
Factsheet
Current series
Slogan Yucca, turquoise and chile plates:
Land of Enchantment
Chile plate only:
Chile Capital of the World
Land of Enchantment
Chile plate only:
Chile Capital of the World
Size 12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
30 cm × 15 cm
Current series
Slogan Yucca, turquoise and chile plates:
Land of Enchantment
Chile plate only:
Chile Capital of the World
Land of Enchantment
Chile plate only:
Chile Capital of the World
Size 12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
30 cm × 15 cm
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Vehicle_registration_plates_of_New_Mexico
Vehicle registration plates of New Mexico - Wikipedia
November 8, 2025 - Santa Fe County was assigned code 1, while the remaining counties were assigned codes 2 through 31 in order of the number of registered vehicles in the county. Following shifts in these numbers, codes 2 through 31 were re-allocated in 1948, after which they remained constant.
Videos
Replying to @🧟♂️ License Plate Map, episode 46: New Mexico 🏜️ #foryoupage #fyp #licenseplatetok #newmexico #albuquerque | TikTok
01:47
New Mexico license plate earns top spot in national rankings - YouTube
01:48
New Mexico Acequia Commission reveals new specialty license plate ...
New Mexico Dealer License Plates and Temporary Tags
Ranking New Mexico License Plates #newmexico #albuquerque #fyp #viral #local #storytime #localnews #lascruces #santafe | TikTok
Episode 38: the original “Sunshine State” 🌶 #foryoupage #fyp #licenseplatetok #newmexico | TikTok
Nmplates
nmplates.com
History of New Mexico License Plates - NMplates.com
The Complete Identification Guide to License Plates Issued in the State of New Mexico 1910-Present
What’s so unique about New Mexico’s license plates?
The classic yellow/red letter plate is still the best plate in the US. More on reddit.com
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July 14, 2023Can I go into a NM MVD and replace my faded License Plate?
Do it online. Replace My Vehicle Plate More on reddit.com
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June 4, 2024Saw this in the Poconos today, license plate was New Mexico too
It's a novelty. IIRC Pennsylvania only requires a back plate, so someone probably wanted to use the front frame to represent. More on reddit.com
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June 6, 2020Why does New Mexico have so many different types of license plates?
I’m gonna guess that the non-standard plates cost more, thus it’s a revenue source More on reddit.com
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August 26, 2022New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division
mvd.newmexico.gov › vehicles › vehicle-registration
Vehicle Registration | Motor Vehicle Division NM
New Mexico is a “Vehicle Plate to Owner” state. If the vehicle is sold, traded-in or given as a gift, the vehicle owner is responsible for removing the license plate from the vehicle.
New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division
mvd.newmexico.gov › vehicles › vehicle-registration › renew-a-vehicle-registration
Renew a Vehicle Registration | Motor Vehicle Division NM
License Plate Number and VIN of Vehicle (last six characters only)
New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division
mvd.newmexico.gov › vehicles › license-plates › standard-plates
Standard Plates | Motor Vehicle Division NM
A person who has a vehicle registered and titled in the state can acquire the traditional yellow plate or the Centennial Plate (Turquoise). No special application is required, and either of these plates can be requested at the time of initial registration of a qualified vehicle.
Maryland License Plates
licenseplates.cc › NM
New Mexico License Plates
This plate is missing "Land of Enchantment" and the plant in the lower left corner. The wheelchair logo is on the left, and H/P was originally stacked on the right, but now it has shifted to the left after 9999 H/P. "Handicapped" is embossed below the numbers. The latest high for this type was on the Centennial base. ... Balloon base, stacked r/v with a big A at end. ... New type with Green/Yellow fade with Zia sun offset to the upper right.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/newmexico › what’s so unique about new mexico’s license plates?
r/NewMexico on Reddit: What’s so unique about New Mexico’s license plates?
July 14, 2023 -
New Mexico has quite a range of license plates, from the chile plate to the classic yellow and turquoise. There is a story behind each one and reasons why some of them are much more popular than others.
https://www.krqe.com/traffic-roads/whats-so-unique-about-new-mexicos-license-plates/
Top answer 1 of 5
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I’m on my summer trip and was stopped by the cops in Idaho. It was suspicious, he said, that my front and back license plates were different. Mind you my front plate is my Amateur Radio callsign in the style of Washington, but has never had a registration sticker on it. The cop was unimpressed when I explained that in Mew Mexico it’s normal to have your old out-of-state plates on the front. No sense of humor at all. Anyway I took the front plate off. Funny thing about it is, Idaho prides themselves as being a state with few laws and lots of freedom, but compared to New Mexico its a rightwing dictatorship.
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The classic yellow/red letter plate is still the best plate in the US.
Newmexicolicenseplate
newmexicolicenseplate.org
New Mexico License Plates Lookup | NewMexicoLicensePlate.org
Requests can be submitted to the New Mexico MVD, either online or in person at their offices, with appropriate documentation proving the request's legitimacy. Yes, you can look up license plates in New Mexico. The process is available through various online platforms that allow you to access information about a vehicle's history by entering the license plate number.
CityLocs
citylocs.com › collections › all new mexico products › new mexico 2022 ty metal license plate
Custom New Mexico 2022 Replica License Plate — CityLocs
New Mexico 2022 TY Metal License Plate
Perfect for every car enthusiast or man cave fanatic, custom license plates by Citylocs work in any space you want them! Choose from authentically designed license plates representing all 50 states - the colors are true, they're all full-size (6"x12"), and every plate has a beveled border edge. Be your own brand & customize your license plate however you'd like. We can accommodate requests up to (16) characters.
BEVELED BORDER EDGE - We pride ourselves on custom license plates that are realistic. Every plate has a beveled border edge because details are what make our metal license plates the b
Price $29.99
MVD Express
mvdexpress.com › home › license plates
License Plates - Renew Your License In New Mexico | MVD Express
May 11, 2022 - Do you need New Mexico license plates for your motor vehicle or motorcycle? Stop by MVD Express to obtain your new license, registration & more!
Newmexicolicenseplate
newmexicolicenseplate.com
New Mexico License Plate Search
Use our New Mexico license plate lookup database and search for any registered vehicle.This will bring up all possible hits matching.
Alamy
alamy.com › stock-photo › new-mexico-state-license-plate.html
New mexico state license plate hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy
Find the perfect new mexico state license plate stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Available for both RF and RM licensing.
Nm
ridenm.dgf.nm.gov › new-mexico-residents
New Mexico Residents | Ride New Mexico
Residents riding on allowed paved roads must have both a New Mexico Off-Highway Registration Decal and a New Mexico On/Off-Highway Registration Decal (both a yellow and green decal are needed to be valid). $53 – Initial Registration. $50 – Registration every two years or upon change of ...
Amazon
amazon.com › Mexico-Black-State-Metal-License › dp › B07C9XDH49
Amazon.com: New Mexico Black Novelty State License Plate Tag LP-11753 : Automotive
New Mexico Black Novelty State License Plate LP-11753. 6" x 12" automotive high gloss metal license plate tag. Made of the highest quality aluminum for a weather resistant finish.
Adobe Stock
stock.adobe.com › search
New Mexico License Plate Images – Browse 60 Stock Photos, Vectors, and Video | Adobe Stock
Search from thousands of royalty-free New Mexico License Plate stock images and video for your next project. Download royalty-free stock photos, vectors, HD footage and more on Adobe Stock.
Published November 6, 2015
Runion
runioninjurylaw.com › home › faqs › does new mexico require a front license plate?
Does New Mexico Require a Front License Plate? | Know the Law
October 21, 2025 - Navigating the nuances of traffic ... with state regulations. New Mexico does not require front license plates, only requires a rear license plate for most passenger vehicles....
UNM Lobos
golobos.com › the-university-of-new-mexico-lobos-license-plate
The University of New Mexico Lobos License Plate - New Mexico Lobos - Official Athletics Website
If your vehicle is registered in New Mexico, you may apply for a UNM license plate. The annual fee is $37 initially and upon each regular registration renewal. Only one plate per qualified person/owner will be issued.
Moini
mexicoplates.moini.net
MEXICO License Plates - moini.net
Some states even have different designs for each type of plate (passenger, truck, taxi, dealer, etc), so there are an incredible number of license plate designs currently visible on Mexican roads. In 2016, the Distrito Federal was renamed to 'Ciudad de Mxico'. New plates bearing the
Auto Tag Agency
autotagagency.net › home
Vehicle Registration & Title Services, Simplified | Auto Tag Agency
November 1, 2019 - All registration, license plate and title inventory is on site.