A. Sections 66-1-4.1 through 66-1-4.20 NMSA 1978 define terms for general purposes of the Motor Vehicle Code. When in a specific section of the Motor Vehicle Code a different meaning is given for a term defined for general purposes in Sections 66-1-4.1 through 66-1-4.20 NMSA 1978, the specific section's meaning and application of the term shall control.

B. All references in the Motor Vehicle Code and elsewhere in the NMSA 1978 to Section 66-1-4 NMSA 1978 shall be construed to include Sections 66-1-4.1 through 66-1-4.20 NMSA 1978.

C. All references in the NMSA 1978 to the "department of motor vehicles" or "department" shall, whenever appropriate, mean the taxation and revenue department.

D. All references in the NMSA 1978 to the "commissioner of motor vehicles" or "commissioner" shall, whenever appropriate, mean the secretary.

History: 1953 Comp., § 64-1-4, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 4; 1979, ch. 71, § 1; 1981, ch. 361, § 2; 1983, ch. 295, § 27; 1987, ch. 250, § 1; 1987, ch. 268, § 17; 1988, ch. 56, § 2; 1989, ch. 318, § 1; 1990, ch. 120, § 1; 1991, ch. 160, § 1.

The 1991 amendment, effective July 1, 1991, deleted "motor vehicle division of the" preceding "taxation" in Subsection C and substituted "secretary" for "director of the division" at the end of Subsection D.

The 1990 amendment, effective July 1, 1990, in Subsection A, added the first sentence and substituted "Sections 66-1-4.1 through 66-1-4.20 NMSA 1978" for "this section" in the present second sentence, deleted former Subsection B setting forth definitions of words and terms used in the Motor Vehicle Code and added present Subsections B to D.

The 1989 amendment, effective July 1, 1989, rewrote Subsection B(1); in Subsection B(20), substituted "identified by a" for "sufficiently bounded by a fence, chain, posts or other fence of wall material, the top of which shall be twelve inches above the ground so as to definitely indicate the boundary thereof, and within which boundary is" in Subparagraph (b); substituted "forty" for "thirty-two" in Subsection B(32); and inserted "and may include a conservator, guardian, personal representative, executor or similar fiduciary" in Subsection B(44).

The 1988 amendment, effective July 1, 1988, substituted "in Paragraph (20) of this subsection" for "herein" in Subsection B(2); in Subsection B(22), substituted "person who for the first time under state or federal law or municipal ordinance has been adjudicated guilty" for "person who has been convicted in a trial court under state or federal law or municipal ordinance", deleted "narcotic drug" following "liquor", deleted "other" preceding "drug", inserted "safely" preceding "driving a motor vehicle", and substituted "regardless of whether the person's sentence was suspended or deferred" for "and includes a person who pled guilty to the charge or pled nolo contendere to the charge, whether or not his sentence was suspended or deferred, or a person who was convicted, pled guilty or nolo contendere, but had such conviction dismissed by virtue of his attendance at, and successful completion of, a driver rehabilitation program or a 'driving-while-intoxicated school'"; and rewrote Subsection B(64).

Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 7A Am. Jur. 2d Automobiles and Highway Traffic § 1.

Airplane or other aircraft as "motor vehicle" or the like within statute providing for constructive or substituted service of process on nonresident motorist, 36 A.L.R.3d 1387.

What constitutes ownership of automobile within the meaning of automobile insurance owner's policy, 36 A.L.R.4th 7.

What is "temporary" building or structure within meaning of restrictive covenant, 49 A.L.R.4th 1018.

60 C.J.S. Motor Vehicles § 1.