New Mexico Windshield Mounting Laws (2026 Guide)
New Mexico takes a strict approach to windshield obstructions. Under state law, drivers may not attach nontransparent materials to the front windshield, the windows immediately to the left and right of the driver, or the rear window when it is used for driving visibility. This prohibition covers GPS devices, phone mounts, dashcams, and any other object that is not transparent.
Unlike many states that carve out specific exceptions for navigation devices or small electronic equipment, New Mexico law does not include a GPS or phone mount exemption. The safest way to use a navigation device or phone in New Mexico is to mount it on the dashboard or use a vent-clip mount.
New Mexico Windshield Obstruction Law
NMSA 66-3-846 is the primary statute governing windshield obstructions. The law states that no person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material upon or in the front windshield, the windows to the immediate right and left of the driver, or the rearmost window if the latter is used for driving visibility.
The statute provides an exception for the rearmost window. If outside rearview mirrors are attached to both sides of the vehicle, the rearmost window is not considered necessary for driving visibility. This means items can be placed on the rear window as long as the vehicle has functioning exterior mirrors on both sides.
What Counts as Nontransparent Material
The law uses the phrase "sign, poster, or other nontransparent material." This broad language covers any object that blocks light from passing through the windshield, including:
- GPS navigation devices
- Smartphone mounts with phones attached
- Dashcams and other recording devices
- Suction cup mounts of any kind
- Parking permits or placards (unless required by law)
- Air fresheners hung from the rearview mirror
- Stickers, decals, and sun strips beyond legal limits
Required or legally mandated items such as vehicle registration stickers and inspection decals are permitted because they are required by law.
Windshield Wipers
NMSA 66-3-846 also requires that every motor vehicle (except motorcycles) be equipped with a functioning windshield wiper that can be controlled by the driver. All windshield wipers must be maintained in good working order. A vehicle with inoperable wipers can be cited under this same statute.
GPS and Phone Mount Rules
New Mexico does not provide a specific exemption for GPS devices, smartphones, or navigation equipment mounted on the windshield. Because a GPS unit or phone is a nontransparent object, attaching it to the windshield violates NMSA 66-3-846.
This is stricter than many neighboring states. Arizona, for example, allows small devices in specified windshield zones. New Mexico makes no such accommodation.
Recommended Mount Locations
To comply with New Mexico law while still using a navigation device, drivers should consider these alternatives:
- Dashboard mount: A suction cup or adhesive mount on the dashboard surface keeps the device off the windshield entirely.
- Vent clip mount: Attaches the device to a dashboard air vent.
- Console mount: Places the device on or near the center console.
- Friction pad mount: A weighted pad that sits on the dashboard and holds the device without adhesive.
Any of these options keeps the device within the driver's line of sight without attaching anything to the windshield.
Dashcam Placement
Because dashcams are nontransparent devices, mounting one on the windshield in New Mexico creates legal exposure under NMSA 66-3-846. While dashcams are not specifically banned by name, the broad prohibition on nontransparent windshield materials applies.
Drivers who want to use a dashcam in New Mexico should mount the camera on the dashboard rather than attaching it to the windshield glass. Dashboard-mounted dashcams with a wide-angle lens can still capture road conditions effectively.
Audio Recording and Dashcams
New Mexico is a one-party consent state for audio recording. Under NMSA 30-12-1, you may record a conversation as long as you are a party to it and consent to the recording. This means a dashcam with audio recording enabled is legal as long as the driver (as one party to any conversation in the vehicle) consents.
If a dashcam records audio of passengers or other occupants, the driver's own consent is sufficient under state law. However, informing passengers about active audio recording is considered good practice.
Windshield Tinting Rules
NMSA 66-3-846.1 governs the use of sun screening material on vehicle windows. The rules are as follows:
Windshield Tint Strip
Sun screening material on the windshield must meet three requirements:
- It must be nonreflective
- It cannot be red, yellow, or amber in color
- It may only be applied along the top of the windshield and cannot extend downward beyond the AS-1 line or more than 5 inches from the top, whichever is closer to the top
Side and Rear Windows
| Window Location | Minimum Light Transmission | Additional Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield (tint strip only) | Not specified (top 5 inches or AS-1 line) | Nonreflective, no red/yellow/amber |
| Front side windows (driver and passenger) | 20% VLT | Nonreflective |
| Rear side windows | 20% VLT | Nonreflective |
| Rear window | 20% VLT | Nonreflective |
New Mexico's 20% VLT standard for side and rear windows is more permissive than many states. For comparison, New York requires 70% VLT on front side windows.
Labeling Requirements
All vehicles with aftermarket sun screening material must display labels in the lower left corner of each treated window (when viewed from outside the vehicle). Labels must include the manufacturer's name, the date the material was manufactured, and the percentage of light transmission.
Medical Exemptions
New Mexico provides a medical exemption from the sun screening restrictions under NMSA 66-3-846.1. To qualify:
- A licensed physician or optometrist in New Mexico must sign a document stating the driver has a medical condition requiring additional protection from sun exposure
- Qualifying conditions include ophthalmic or dermatological photosensitivity, chronic actinic dermatitis, photosensitive eczema, and skin cancers associated with chronic actinic dermatitis
- The signed document must be carried in the vehicle at all times or be in the possession of the person with the condition (or their legal guardian)
- The exemption must be renewed every 4 years
- A medical exemption will not be granted if adequate protection can be provided by protective eyewear devices
The medical exemption does not specify a minimum VLT percentage, meaning qualifying individuals may apply darker tinting than the standard limits.
Hands-Free Device Laws
NMSA 66-7-374 prohibits texting while driving. The law makes it illegal to read, view, or manually type on a handheld mobile communication device while driving a motor vehicle.
What Is Allowed
- Hands-free devices that allow composing, sending, or reading messages without using a hand (except to activate or initiate a function) are excluded from the prohibition
- GPS or navigation systems physically or electronically integrated into the motor vehicle are excluded
- Using a device to summon medical or emergency help is permitted
- Amateur radio operators with a valid FCC license may use amateur radio equipment
Penalties for Texting While Driving
| Offense | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | $25 |
| Subsequent offenses | $50 |
New Mexico's texting law is a primary enforcement law, meaning officers can pull you over solely for texting while driving. However, New Mexico does not currently have a comprehensive hands-free law that prohibits all handheld phone use while driving. The prohibition is limited to texting and does not extend to voice calls made while holding the phone (for adult drivers).
Penalties for Windshield Violations
Violations of NMSA 66-3-846 (windshield obstruction) and NMSA 66-3-846.1 (illegal sun screening) are classified as penalty assessment misdemeanors under NMSA 66-8-116.
| Violation | Classification | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield obstruction (66-3-846) | Penalty assessment misdemeanor | $25 |
| Illegal sun screening (66-3-846.1) | Penalty assessment misdemeanor | $25 |
| Inoperable windshield wipers (66-3-846) | Penalty assessment misdemeanor | $25 |
Under the penalty assessment system, an alleged violator may accept a notice to appear and pay the penalty assessment without a court hearing. If the violator instead goes to court and is convicted, the fine imposed cannot exceed the penalty assessment amount, and probation on a suspended or deferred sentence cannot exceed 90 days.
These violations do not carry license points in New Mexico. However, repeat violations could draw additional scrutiny during traffic stops.
Exemptions Summary
| Exemption | Authority |
|---|---|
| Required inspection and registration decals | NMSA 66-3-846 (implied) |
| Rearmost window (if dual exterior mirrors present) | NMSA 66-3-846(A) |
| Sun screening within legal limits | NMSA 66-3-846.1 |
| Medical exemption (physician certified, renewed every 4 years) | NMSA 66-3-846.1 |
| GPS integrated into the vehicle (for texting law exemption) | NMSA 66-7-374 |
| Emergency calls | NMSA 66-7-374 |
| Amateur radio equipment (FCC licensed) | NMSA 66-7-374 |
Comparison With Neighboring States
New Mexico is stricter than most of its neighbors regarding windshield-mounted devices:
| State | Windshield Mount Allowed | Specific GPS Exemption |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | No | No |
| Arizona | Yes (limited area) | Yes |
| Colorado | Yes (with restrictions) | Yes |
| Texas | Yes (limited area) | No specific exemption |
| Oklahoma | Yes (with restrictions) | No specific exemption |
This means drivers entering New Mexico from neighboring states should remove any windshield-mounted devices before crossing the state line to avoid a citation.
More New Mexico Laws
Sources and References
- NMSA 66-3-846 - Windshields must be unobstructed and equipped with wipers; windows must be transparent; exception(law.justia.com)
- NMSA 66-3-846.1 - Sun screening material on windshields and windows; requirements; violation; penalty(law.justia.com)
- NMSA 66-7-374 - Texting while driving(law.justia.com)
- NMSA 66-8-116 - Penalty assessment misdemeanors; definition; schedule of assessments(law.justia.com)
- NMSA 30-12-1 - Interception of wire or oral communications(law.justia.com)
- New Mexico Legislature - HB0649 (windshield equipment amendments)(nmlegis.gov).gov
- New Mexico Traffic Citations Manual(nmcourts.gov).gov