As used in the Motor Vehicle Code:

A. "odometer" means a device for recording the total mileage traveled by a vehicle from the vehicle's manufacture and for so long as the vehicle is operable on the highways;

B. "off-highway motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle operated or used exclusively off the highways of this state and that is not legally equipped for operation on the highways of this state;

C. "official printout" means any record supplied by the division or a similar agency or government entity that indicates the lienholders of record or owners of record of a vehicle or motor vehicle registered within that government's jurisdiction or indicates information about a driver's license or identification card, including traffic violation history or status;

D. "official traffic-control devices" means all signs, signals, markings and devices not inconsistent with the Motor Vehicle Code placed or erected, by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic;

E. "operator" means driver, as defined in Section 66-1-4.4 NMSA 1978; and

F. "owner" means a person who holds the legal title of a vehicle and may include a conservator, guardian, personal representative, executor or similar fiduciary, or, in the event that a vehicle is the subject of an agreement for conditional sale or lease with the right of purchase upon performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possession vested in the conditional vendee or lessee, or, in the event that a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession, then such conditional vendee or lessee or mortgagor.

History: 1978 Comp., § 66-1-4.13, enacted by Laws 1990, ch. 120, § 14.

There is a distinction between "official traffic-control devices" and "traffic-control signals." Ward v. Ray, 1967-NMSC-264, 78 N.M. 566, 434 P.2d 388.

Both flashing yellow and flashing red signal lights could be "official traffic-control devices" within the meaning of former Section 64-14-21, 1953 Comp. (similar to this section). Ward v. Ray, 1967-NMSC-264, 78 N.M. 566, 434 P.2d 388.

Holder of legal title to leased vehicle. — The New Mexico law contemplates that the owner, i.e., the holder of the legal title to a vehicle leased by a New Mexico firm for eight days, is the party responsible for registration. 1969 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 69-95.