Last updated: October 2026 · Reviewed by Lija Scheiman, CEO, leading the TaxiBambino Content Audit Team
New Mexico's child seat law doesn't list taxis among its exceptions. The statute covers every passenger car, van and pickup in the state, and names only three exceptions: emergency vehicles, public transportation and school buses. A taxi or rideshare from Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) is a passenger car, so plan on the age rules below applying to your child on that ride, whether or not the driver has a seat.
New Mexico's child passenger law
NMSA 66-7-369 says no one may drive a passenger car, van or pickup in New Mexico unless every passenger under 18 is properly restrained:
Child | Required restraint |
Under 1 year | Rear-facing seat, in the rear seat if the vehicle has one |
1 to 4 years, or under 40 lb | Child seat meeting federal standards |
5 to 6 years, or under 60 lb | Booster seat or other suitable child seat |
7 to 12 years | Child seat or seat belt |
Under 18 | Properly restrained |
A properly fitted belt sits across the thighs and hips, not the stomach, and the shoulder strap crosses the chest, not the neck. A front-seat exception for babies applies only in vehicles with no rear seat, with the airbag switched off.
Fines
The penalty is a $25 fine and 2 points on the driver's licence (a 2026 bill proposed raising the fine to $100). The fine is small, but the rule applies in every passenger car, taxi or not.
Taxis and rideshare
Since July 2024, taxis in New Mexico have been regulated by the NM Department of Transportation (NMDOT). There are no state maximum fares: each company files its own fixed tariff, and that tariff must be available to the public. The rules don't require taxis to carry child seats, so ask in advance or arrange your own.
Leaving the Sunport
The Sunport is unusually close to the city: about 3 miles from downtown and 4 miles from the University of New Mexico.
• Taxis: baggage claim level, Door 2. Several companies serve the airport.
• Rideshare: baggage claim level, Door 7.
• Bus: ABQ Ride Route 50 runs on weekdays and Saturdays to the Alvarado Transportation Center downtown, which is also the Rail Runner station.
• Santa Fe: about 60 miles north on I-25, around an hour's drive. The Rail Runner Express train is an alternative, and children 9 and under ride free.
Albuquerque taxi tariffs typically run to a $3.25 flag drop and around $4.67 per mile, so a short downtown run is a modest fare. A trip to Santa Fe is a different matter, and that is where a fixed price and a fitted seat count most.
Albuquerque with kids
Balloon Fiesta
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is held every October at Balloon Fiesta Park on Alameda Boulevard (the 2026 Fiesta ran from 3 to 11 October). Mass ascensions start at about 7:00 am, which means leaving your hotel in the dark with sleepy children. The organisers advise using official parking and the Park & Ride. A pre-booked car with the seat already fitted saves a lot of fumbling at 5:30 am.
Altitude
The Sunport sits at 5,355 ft, about a mile high. The visitor bureau advises drinking plenty of water, notes that UV is stronger at altitude, and says the body may need a couple of days to adjust. Plan an easy first day.
Days out
• Sandia Peak Tramway: a 2.7-mile ride climbing from 6,559 to 10,378 ft in about 15 minutes. Weather on the mountain changes quickly, so bring layers.
• ABQ BioPark: the Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden and Tingley Beach.
• Explora: a hands-on children's science museum in Old Town, open daily, with Toddler Time on Monday mornings.
• Petroglyph National Monument: short walks at Boca Negra Canyon past about 100 petroglyphs.
Which seat your child needs
• Rear-facing infant seat: under 1, and ideally beyond.
• Forward-facing harness seat: ages 1 to 4, or under 40 lb.
• Booster seat: ages 5 to 6, or under 60 lb, and often longer for belt fit.
All seats we arrange meet US federal standard FMVSS 213. For bigger families, see our vehicle fleet.
Continuing your road trip? See our guides for Denver Airport and Las Vegas. Browse all our car seat options or see every city we serve on our destinations page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are taxis exempt from New Mexico's car seat law?
Taxis aren't among the exceptions. NMSA 66-7-369 names only emergency vehicles, public transportation and school buses, and taxis and rideshares are passenger cars, so plan on the law applying.
Where are taxis at the Albuquerque Sunport?
On the baggage claim level at Door 2. Rideshare pickups are at Door 7.
How far is Santa Fe from Albuquerque Airport?
About 60 miles, roughly an hour on I-25. The Rail Runner train is the alternative, and children 9 and under ride free.
What time should we leave for a Balloon Fiesta mass ascension?
Launches start at about 7:00 am, and traffic builds well before then, so most families leave before dawn.
Does my 6-year-old need a booster in New Mexico?
Yes. Ages 5 to 6, or children under 60 lb, need a booster or suitable child seat.
Travel Safely with TaxiBambino
Knowing the law is one thing; having the right seat ready when you land is another. TaxiBambino.com connects families with certified child-seat taxis and airport transfers in Albuquerque and 150+ destinations worldwide. Infant seats, forward-facing seats and boosters for all ages, booked in advance so nothing is left to chance on arrival.
About this page
TaxiBambino is operated by Avaren Group AB (org. nr 559536-5247), Nacka, Sweden. We arrange family airport transfers with child seats fitted in advance through vetted local partners in the US and more than 150 destinations worldwide. Contact: [email protected].
Sources: New Mexico Legislature: SB 313 (2026), reprinting NMSA 66-7-369 · New Mexico Legislature: SB 214 (2026) · NMDOT taxi rule, 18.3.6 NMAC · Albuquerque Sunport: ground transportation · Rail Runner fares · Balloon Fiesta
This page is reviewed and updated regularly. For the most current official rules, always check your destination country's government transport authority.