Mexico Vehicle Registration Process

The Process Of Registering A Vehicle In Mexico

Mexico is a popular destination for travel and tourism. But what if you want to bring more than your luggage? If you’re thinking about importing and registering a car in this vacation paradise, look below for some guidelines on registration, driving and other aspects of getting around Mexico.

Getting Your License

If you have a valid license from another country, you get to pass the written exam. Don’t have a license? Then you will have to take a written exam that’s only in Spanish.

Here are other items that you’ll need: a recent water or electric bill with your mailing address, immigration documents or a voter card for citizens.

Get three photocopies of each of the documents as that’s going to help you tremendously with the red tape.

Don’t forget to grab some insurance for your vehicle. It is required that your vehicle be insured by a Mexican insurance company. Another fun fact: The registered owner must be in the vehicle at all times by Mexican law.

Getting License Plates

First things first, you cannot do this without a Mexican license. Got it? Great. Bring two copies plus the original license to the transit police. Alongside that, you’ll need a recent water or electric bill, proof of the import fee and proof of vehicle ownership.

Be sure that your vehicle identification number matches up with your paperwork or there will be some trouble.

As far as fees for the license plates, that all depends on the current value of your car.

If you have any questions about the process of shipping a car to Mexico, what options you have, or what’s required, click here to learn more! Our international shipping page for Mexico has a wealth of helpful information!

Driving In Mexico & Understanding Rules Of The Road

Driving And Getting Around

Cars stay on the right side of the road when you’re south of the U.S. border. Signs are written in Spanish so make sure you know where you’re going or can read the signs with confidence. Note that speed limits in Mexico are posted in kilometers and not miles per hour, so do not be lulled into that math trap.

Night driving is something to approach cautiously. Lighting on Mexican roadways is questionable at night – read: nonexistent in some places – and livestock is known to wander out into the roads.

Road conditions are a hit or miss. Some roads are impeccable with smooth pavement. But others are pothole ridden and questionable at best. When you venture away from the main cities into the outskirts, that is when the likelihood of hitting rough roads increases.

When inclement weather strikes, be prepared for floods. It’s recommended you have a high clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle for weather like that.

Mexico Vehicle Resources

Importing A Car Into Mexico - Information about the process and procedures of importing a vehicle into the country.

Insurance & Driving In Mexico - Everything you’ll need to know about driving, auto insurance, licenses, and permits while you’re in Mexico.

Call us today at the number at the top of the page if you’re considering shipping a vehicle to Mexico! We offer FREE price quotes to all parties and are one of the most affordable international car shipping services you’ll find!