What is a New Mexico Weight and Distance Permit?

If you are driving a commercial vehicle through New Mexico, there is a good chance that you must register and apply for a New Mexico Weight and Distance Permit.

What Is the Permit and Who Needs It?

New Mexico requires this permit for all owners, operators, and registrants of commercial vehicles traveling through the state that weigh over 26,000 pounds. All companies must register and apply yearly for each vehicle passing through the state.

Vehicles that must pay a weight-distance tax (WDT) must file a New Mexico weight-distance tax return every quarter of the year. The deadline per quarter is the last day of the following month. The taxes due are based on vehicle weight and miles traveled within New Mexico. The filing periods and their deadlines are…

  • January 1st – March 31st: Due April 30th
  • April 1st – June 30th: Due July 31st
  • July 1st – September 30th: Due October 31st
  • October 1st – December 31st: Due January 31st

Commercial vehicles weighing over 55,000 pounds are subject to a Heavy Vehicle Tax (HVUT). These are paid directly to the IRS. The New Mexico MVD website states…

“A vehicle titled in New Mexico subject to the weight-distance tax and traveling intrastate is issued a weight-distance plate. (A vehicle traveling) interstate is issued an IRP plate (International Registration Plan).”

Penalties For Not Filing Accurately, Or At All

According to tax.newmexico.gov

“Penalty is calculated at 2% per month or partial month to a maximum of 20% on the unpaid principal of tax due”

While this can happen by not filing at all, it can also occur if things are filed improperly. Making sure you have yourself covered properly can be a daunting tax.

Fortunately, FCCR can help you with the ins and outs. If you plan on pulling freight through New Mexico and are unsure how to proceed, contact FCCR today to help file your New Mexico Weight and Distance Permit.

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