New Mexico teenagers who are caught using cellphones while driving or who violate state alcohol laws will have to spend more time with a restricted driver's license under a measure signed Thursday by Gov. Susana Martinez.

The new law also means teens who are found driving without a seat belt will face an additional 30 days with a provisional license before getting a full license.

"This takes a good law, our provisional license law, and now makes it a lot better," said sponsor Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe.

The state since 2000 has had a graduated driver's license system, and its provisional license carries restrictions on the hours a teen can drive and how many teen passengers he or she can have. The law previously required teen drivers to be violation free for 90 days before getting a full license, but didn't take into account any violations before that.

The new law adds 30 days to the provisional license for each violation.

Wirth's measure at one point proposed to raise the age for a full driver's license to 17 from 16 1/2, but that provision was taken out.

Still, Wirth said he's pleased with the changes, and with Martinez's decision to sign the bill.

"I think this is the first time we've had an outright texting ban for youth drivers," he said.

The law also punishes minors in possession, and those who buy or try to buy alcohol, an amendment sponsored by Sen. Kent Cravens, R-Albuquerque.

The law, which takes effect July 1, is part of a trend of states that are raising the age for teen drivers to get full licenses, and to start driving.

Martinez in a statement said the measure requires young drivers to prove they are responsible before being allowed to drive alone.

"Young New Mexicans should demonstrate the responsibility required to get behind the wheel of a car," she said.

"These provisions will make our streets safer and communicate to minors that driving is a privilege, not a right."

The new law keeps intact teen driver education requirements, including 50 hours of supervised driving.

It also led to some interesting chatter at the Wirth household.

"We had a lot of interesting discussion around the dinner table," said Wirth, who has a 17-year-old and an almost 14-year-old.

Contact Kate Nash at 986-3036 or knash@sfnewmexican.com. Read her blog at www.greenchilechatter.com.