New Mexico’s Carnival Ride Insurance Program requires rides to be fully registered before they can operate in the state.
Source: New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department (via Facebook)
Photos: Courtesy
Cover Photo: “A registered Ferris wheel and other midway rides at the 2025 New Mexico State Fair.”
Carnival rides and inflatable bounce houses may be built for fun, but before they can operate in New Mexico, they must meet requirements established under the state’s Carnival Ride Safety Act.
Carnival Ride Insurance Program staff verify a ride’s serial number against its registration at the 2025 New Mexico State Fair. (Photo Courtesy NMRLD)
New Mexico’s Carnival Ride Insurance Program requires rides to be fully registered before they can operate in the state. That registration includes proof of an annual inspection conducted by an inspector certified by the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials, or NAARSO.
Operators must also provide a valid certificate of insurance intended to protect ride patrons in the event of an accident.
Safety Doesn’t End With the Inspection
The annual inspection isn’t the only requirement. Operators must maintain a daily safety log documenting a ride’s operation and condition. The requirements apply not only to the towering and spinning attractions typically associated with carnivals, but also to inflatable attractions such as bounce houses.
For families visiting fairs, festivals and other events, there is also a simple way to check. Before getting on a ride or allowing a child to use an inflatable attraction, look for a posted certificate or ask the operator whether the attraction is registered with New Mexico’s Carnival Ride Insurance Program.
The rides may be temporary. The safety requirements aren’t.
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