Rio Rancho Motor Vehicle Office to Close, Residents Redirected

The City of Rio Rancho announced this week that its City operated Motor Vehicle Office, which had operated under contract with the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department Motor Vehicle Division for years, will permanently close on December 27, 2025. City officials said the office is closing because operating revenues from service and contract fees do not cover annual costs, in person transactions have declined, a wave of staff retirements has reduced capacity, online options for MVD transactions have expanded, and nearby private and government operated MVD service providers are available.

Appointments at the Rio Rancho office could be scheduled through December 20 by calling the city phone number or using the city online scheduling system. After the office closes, residents were directed to the statewide portal at mvd.newmexico.gov for online transactions. The city also named local private alternatives for in person service, including MVD Express, MVD Now, and Rapid MVD.

For many Sandoval County residents this decision will change where and how they complete vehicle registration and driver license transactions. People who prefer or require in person service may now need to travel farther or pay private provider fees, and demand at remaining offices could increase wait times. The shift toward online transactions benefits users with reliable internet access and digital literacy, but it can also create barriers for seniors, residents with limited connectivity, and those who rely on face to face assistance.

The closure highlights municipal budget trade offs and the limits of fee funded services when demand and staffing decline. It also puts a focus on coordination between city government and state MVD policy on service locations and access. City officials point to alternatives and the statewide portal, but the move will test how well those channels serve residents who have depended on a local city operated office for years.

Residents should plan ahead for the December 27 closure, use the statewide portal for eligible transactions, and evaluate the private providers named by the city if in person service is needed. Local officials will face calls to monitor access, track impacts on vulnerable populations, and consider whether other service models or partnerships can restore convenient options within Sandoval County.