Annual license renewals for seniors still required at age 75, for now
THAT 79 MIGHT NOT KICK IN UNTIL THANKSGIVING:
That’s the latest from the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department.
Last week’s Road Warrior column referenced language tucked into a new law that raises the age seniors have to annually schlepp it down to an MVD office and renew their driver’s licenses. This past session the state Legislature approved increasing it from the current age 75 to age 79, with the annual renewals remaining free at a state office.
But nobody has told the Motor Vehicle Division yet.
NMk2nye emails, “Today, I, age 73, renewed my license, but was only granted a twoyear extension to age 75. When I asked the clerk if the law hadn’t been recently changed, she seemed to be unaware of the change and stated that if the law has been changed the change has not yet taken effect. It does no good to argue in such situations, so I accepted my two-year license extension and went on my way. So, does anyone know why the MVD system has not yet been updated to accommodate the recent change in the law?”
Marilyn S. called to say ditto for her visit to the MVD off San Mateo — she won’t be 79 for three years but could only get a one-year license. Tsan7 adds in an email, “I just returned from the MVD office . ... The office staff did not know anything about the change. I turned 75 this month and my driver(’s) license was set to expire . ... I could only get it for one year, but they did not charge me for it . ... Did I misread your article or did the office staff goof?”
MPC emails, “When I renewed mine in May, I was told I could not get the eightyear version as I was 70. Was I misinformed or had the new law not taken effect?”
Gwyn emails the change is “a great law. Could you please inform New Mexico’s Department of Motor Vehicles and the Motor Vehicle Division (contract offices) of that new law? They are unaware of it. I could renew my license for one year only.”
And Ron Wooten-Green points out in his email, “MVD’s website has yet to catch up with the ‘new law’ you speak of.”
Even more confusing, when Glenna Napier went to the MVD to renew last week, “what I found out is that the info on driver’s licenses you printed in the article does not start until 2020.” (Not true — please keep reading.)
It turns out that while many new laws routinely take effect by the July 1 after the legislative session — and this one officially kicked in on May 18 — the state has a little more lead time on the license change because of the complex law it is part of.
Tiffany Smyth with Tax and Rev explains, “House Bill 99 is commonly known as the Real ID bill, but there were other changes that were implemented in the bill, including increasing the age for annual renewals from 75 to 79. HB 99 became effective May 18th. The bill states that the department has six months from the effective date to begin issuing licenses and ID cards that meet federal requirements to be accepted by federal agencies — Real IDs. The department will roll out all changes in HB 99, including the age requirement being raised to 79, at the same time, on or before the deadline in the bill of November 18th.”
AND BEWARE THE COST:
The same column advised seniors to check the cost of renewing their license at the private/contract offices. While a senior renewal is free at state offices, one company advertises on its website it charges $19.95 for senior renewals.
And some senior drivers say that ad’s taking folks for a ride.
Beth called to say she was charged $29.95 plus tax and paid around $35 to get her annual renewal. Dan emails: “Just visited the MVD Express at Eubank and Montgomery to renew my 75-year license. Renewed for one year since the 79-year law ‘hasn’t gone through yet.’ The fee was $33.49, not $19.95.”
And Dorma Seago emails she got an ugly surprise when she went to pay. “MVD Express at Paseo and Wyoming charged me $60.33 to renew my license for four years. That is quite a difference from the $19.95 advertised on their website.”
For Dorma, it looks like it’s what happens when you are charged the regular rate — Dorma is 71 and wouldn’t get the senior renewal rate until age 75 — 79 when the new law kicks in.
Without checking every receipt, remember the basic rate can vary from company to company, and the tax rate is different depending on what county and/or city you are in.
The MVD Express website says, “Our senior MVD rates for New Mexicans age 75 and older are as follows: NM Drivers License – $19.95 + tax (annual renewal); NM Identification Card –
$26.89 + tax (renewal every 4 or 8 years).” It also says “Handicap Placards can be obtained at MVD Express for only $26.89 + tax.”
At a state MVD office, a one-year senior renewal (age 75 now, 79 soon) is free, as is an ID and a parking placard. It sure looks like it’s worth a call to check costs before heading out to renew. SENIOR EXPRESS LANES
DON’T HAVE SIGNS: Finally, some readers questioned whether MVD really has so-called senior express lanes.
Woodlock37 emails, “Have been doing my annual renewal at the Montgomery Plaza DMV Office since I turned 75 in 2012 . ... As of my last visit there in February there has NEVER been any express lane for seniors! Just take a number and sit until it is called. But I’ve found the best time to go is midmorning, mid-week, midmonth and can usually get finished within an hour.”
And that is because the state MVD offices like Montgomery Plaza off San Mateo, where I took my mom annually, channel seniors to specific windows. No fanfare or labels, just faster service for older drivers who have spent plenty of time in lines.