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Engine Brake Laws No. NM Local / posted

New Mexico Engine & Jake Brake Rules

No statewide ban in New Mexico. State law is a muffler and excessive-noise rule (NMSA 66-3-844): keep a working muffler, no cutout or bypass. The 'no engine brake' bans are local ordinances on posted signs, mostly in mountain and resort areas like Ruidoso, Cloudcroft on the US-82 descent, Taos and Angel Fire, and near Raton Pass. A muffler answers a state noise charge, not a posted local ban. Keep braking on grades where nothing is posted.

Ban scopeLocal / posted
Muffler lawYes (the legal hook)
Where postedSigns are mostly in mountain and resort areas: Ruidoso, Cloudcroft on the steep US-82 descent, Taos, Angel Fire, and Red River, and the Raton Pass corridor on I-25
FineLocal noise-ordinance citation set by the town or county, commonly about $50-$500

A detail here is flagged medium confidence — confirm with the state DMV or the local ordinance before you rely on it.

01 The rule

How New Mexico handles engine braking

No statewide ban in New Mexico. State law is a muffler and excessive-noise rule (NMSA 66-3-844): keep a working muffler, no cutout or bypass. The 'no engine brake' bans are local ordinances on posted signs, mostly in mountain and resort areas like Ruidoso, Cloudcroft on the US-82 descent, Taos and Angel Fire, and near Raton Pass. A muffler answers a state noise charge, not a posted local ban. Keep braking on grades where nothing is posted.

02 On the road

What to watch for

New Mexico Engine Brake FAQ

Are engine brakes banned in New Mexico?
New Mexico has no statewide ban. The restriction is local and posted on "NO ENGINE BRAKE" signs. No statewide ban in New Mexico.
Where are the "NO ENGINE BRAKE" signs in New Mexico?
Signs are mostly in mountain and resort areas: Ruidoso, Cloudcroft on the steep US-82 descent, Taos, Angel Fire, and Red River, and the Raton Pass corridor on I-25. Those communities enforce; the wide-open highways rarely post or ticket.
What is the fine for using an engine brake where it is banned in New Mexico?
Local noise-ordinance citation set by the town or county, commonly about $50-$500.

Reference information for planning, not legal advice. Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it. Last reviewed July 2026. Source: https://codes.findlaw.com/nm/chapter-66-motor-vehicles/nm-st-sect-66-3-844/. See our Terms & Disclaimer.

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