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!
Written By:Joe Webster
Joe Webster began his journey in the auto transport field by attending the University of Southern California (USC), where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Marketing.
After college, he started his career in the auto transport industry from the bottom up and has done virtually every job there is to do at A-1 Auto Transport, including but not limited to: Truck Driver, Dispatch, Sales, PR, Bookkeeping, Transport Planner, Transport Manager, International Transport Manager, Brokering, Customer Service, and Marketing. Working with his mentor Tony Taylor, Joe Webster has learned the ins and outs of this industry which is largely misunderstood.
With over 30 years experience in the industry, we've been helping people ship their vehicles, motorcycles, RV's, heavy equipment, household goods and more across the country or overseas without a hitch. Ask us anything.
