Section 66-3-120 - Transportation of certain vehicles; proof of ownership.
66-3-120. Transportation of certain vehicles; proof of ownership.
A. Any person transporting any crushed or inoperable vehicle or motor vehicle on any public way, street or highway in any manner whatsoever shall have in his possession proof of ownership of such vehicle, or:
(1) an affidavit from the property owner upon whose property the vehicle or motor vehicle was abandoned authorizing the vehicle's removal from the property owner's land; and
(2) a police clearance indicating the vehicle has not been reported stolen.
B. Any person who possesses either a New Mexico dismantler's or wrecker's license, a New Mexico auto dealer's license, a state corporation commission [public regulation commission] license or a vehicle contract or common carrier license issued by the federal interstate commerce commission, shall be exempt from the provisions of this section while transporting vehicles which are not abandoned, provided he prominently displays a dealer's license plate or a dismantler's plate on the vehicle in tow, or has a New Mexico state corporation commission [public regulation commission] vehicle contract or common carrier permit number or a federal interstate commerce commission vehicle contract or common carrier permit number prominently displayed on the towing vehicle.
C. Any person failing to have such documentation in his possession while transporting such a vehicle or motor vehicle is subject to the penalties produced in Section 66-4-9 NMSA 1978 and any vehicle or motor vehicle being transported by such a person shall be subject to immediate confiscation. Said vehicle or motor vehicle shall be towed to an authorized police impound lot until proof of ownership is presented or until the documentation described in this section is provided by either the owner of the vehicle or the person in possession. Failure to provide such documentation within thirty days shall result in the vehicle or motor vehicle being deemed unclaimed and thus subject to claim by the person or firm in possession.