In an effort to reduce misunderstandings and increase safety during traffic stops, the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) introduced a new Nontraditional Communication Registry for neurodivergent individuals. The idea was championed by New Mexico State Rep. Liz Thompson of Albuquerque, who pursued the legislation to improve communication and safety during law enforcement encounters.

“Rep. Thompson recognized a need for a reliable tool to help reduce misunderstandings between officers and individuals who communicate in nontraditional ways,” says New Mexico MVD Director Htet Wint. “Working in partnership with MVD and law enforcement, she helped advance House Bill 40 in 2023, ensuring the registry would be both practical in the field and meaningful for the communities it serves.”

The registry won the 2025 AAMVA Excellence in Government Partnership Award.

How the registry works

To enroll, vehicle owners must complete MVD Form 10126, which includes a health disclosure section that requires a signature from a licensed medical practitioner. Eligible conditions include autism spectrum disorder, deafness, brain injury, intellectual disability, behavioral health disorders, dementia and seizure disorders. Once submitted, the registry links this information to the vehicle’s registration record.

For vehicles flagged in the system, officers are to take standard safety precautions and adjust their approach accordingly.

When a police officer conducts a traffic stop, the registry information will automatically appear as part of the vehicle record. The registry will indicate to the officer that an occupant of the vehicle, whether the driver or
a passenger, has a qualifying nontraditional communication condition as disclosed by the vehicle owner on the submitted form. The officer is not provided specific medical details. For vehicles flagged in the system, officers are to take standard safety precautions and adjust their approach accordingly.

“We recognize that traffic stops can be stressful for anyone, and that stress can be even greater for individuals with disabilities or those who communicate in nontraditional ways,” Wint says. “The registry is designed to ease that experience by equipping officers with information that helps them better understand the person they are interacting with and ensure safer and more respectful traffic stops. In doing so, we also aim to strengthen trust between officers and the public by providing tools that acknowledge and accommodate diverse communication needs.”

Challenges and questions

While the registry presents promise, it has also raised concerns, particularly involving data privacy. Wint assures that privacy has been a top priority for the MVD.

“The information is used only to support communication and safety during law enforcement encounters,” she says. “The same safeguards that protect all MVD records are in place for this registry, ensuring participants’ information is handled with the same care and security as every other customer record we maintain. Participation in the registry is also completely voluntary, and customers can choose to unenroll their vehicle from the registry at any time.”

Additionally, since the effectiveness of the registry depends on law enforcement training and consistent use of the system, Wint says it has been integrated into the databases that officers already access in the field.

“When they run a check during a traffic stop, the information is there for them to see,” she says. “Officers also receive training on what the registry is and how to interpret it. In this way, the registry does not add extra steps but simply provides them with knowledge that can help guide the interaction safely and appropriately.”

Award-winning service

AAMVA’s Excellence in Government Partnership Award is presented to successful programs developed and implemented in cooperation with public or private sector organizations. Wint says it was “both humbling and affirming” to receive recognition.

“The award underscored the value of the collaboration between MVD, law enforcement and legislative leadership that made the registry possible,” she says. “It was gratifying to see the effort and dedication of so many recognized on a national stage.”

“Beyond the recognition, the true success of the registry lies in the peace of mind it provides to individuals and families who may otherwise face fear or uncertainty during encounters with law enforcement,” she adds. “Looking ahead, we see the registry as a foundation we can continue to build upon through ongoing training for officers, greater public awareness and steady refinement of the program to meet emerging needs. Most importantly, it stands as a model within our state, showing how thoughtful legislation and strong agency collaboration can create lasting and positive change for New Mexico.”