DRIVER'S ED REQUIREMENTS
SB 73 requires all approved driver education courses in New Mexico schools to include at least three hours of training on driving with vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, skateboarders, and wheelchair users. This directly affects driver education schools, instructors, and students in public and private secondary schools across the state. The bill amends existing laws to mandate this specific training component as part of minimum course standards. It defines "vulnerable road users" broadly to include anyone not protected by a vehicle's structure, like those on bikes, scooters, or walking. The policy change aims to improve road safety awareness through standardized curriculum updates.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 22, 2026
Signed Mar 10, 2026
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What changed between versions
introduced version
→
Final Version
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends New Mexico driver education laws to require at least three hours of training on driving with vulnerable road users in all approved driver education courses. It also updates related definitions and bureau functions to include cooperation on traffic safety education programs.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of driver education requirements to include specific training on vulnerable road users, affecting all driver education courses and schools in the state.
REQUIREMENT
Added a requirement for driver education courses to include at least three hours of education and training on driving with vulnerable road users.
Added new functions for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to cooperate with public education departments on developing instructional frameworks for defensive driving education in schools.
DEFINITION
Added a new definition of 'vulnerable road user' that includes pedestrians, people riding animals, and people operating bicycles, farm vehicles, scooters, skateboards, wheelchairs, and other similar transportation devices.
Modified the definition of 'vehicle' in the Motor Vehicle Code to include vulnerable road users in the context of traffic safety education.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 14, 2026 · House Feb 18, 2026
How they voted
21–16
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 38
Feb 14, 2026
D
Democratic22
95% Yea
R
Republican16
100% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
10
Key actions
7
Committee
3
Mar 10, 2026
Signed into law
Signed
executive
Feb 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
passed House
lower
Feb 18, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (42-2-22)
house
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
DO PASS committee report adopted
lower
Feb 15, 2026
Introduced
Sent to House Transportation, Public Works & Capital Improvements Committee
lower
Feb 14, 2026
Upper · Passed
passed Senate
upper
Feb 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
DO PASS committee report adopted
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
DO PASS committee report adopted
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Introduced
Sent to Senate Committees' Committee & Senate Education Committee & Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee
upper
4 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Antoinette Sedillo Lopez
DDemocratic
P
CP
Cristina Parajón
DDemocratic
P
Heather Berghmans
DDemocratic
P
Natalie Figueroa
DDemocratic
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