Motor Vehicle Mexico Rights

When it comes to driving in Mexico there are a number of things you need to keep in mind as far as legal issues are concerned. Mexico is actually very strict about who can bring a car into Mexico and who can take that same car out. Because Mexico borders the United States there are issues about border control and other motor vehicle legal rights in Mexico. Any car that wants to venture within 20 kilometers of the ‘free zone’ is allowed to if they want to (the free zone refers to the distance south of the US border). There is no penalty for those who choose to drive these 20 kilometers but they will have to leave once they exit the free zone and enter into Mexico.

The free zone is one of the biggest motor vehicle legal rights in Mexico because it determines who can enter the country on ground and who can’t. If you plan on driving across the border you will have to present a US driver’s license/ international driving permit, tourist card and a passport or visa. Plus, if it is your own car you are driving across (i.e.; not a rental car) you will need the title to prove that it is yours. It will usually cost around $10 to $20 for you to drive across the border (for the vehicle permit fee).

One thing to keep in mind legally is that the driver of the car must have all of the needed information in their name. In other words, the driver can’t have a passport with a different name or a car title with a different name; it all has to match up! This is the main reason why you shouldn’t lend your car to ANYONE while you are in Mexico. Not only will you get in trouble for doing so, but they will face fines if they get caught as well. The laws are obviously different in Mexico as opposed to the States so you need to have an awareness of this.

Once you get a car permit in Mexico you can expect to keep it for up to six months. Of course you can get shorter permits if you aren’t planning on staying in Mexico for a long time. There are even 72 hour deals that you can get if you are coming in for a business trip or something like that. Once your permit expires, authorities have the right to confiscate your car and it is no longer in your care. If you have an FM-3 visa you will have to renew your permit and your visa at the same time.

Be prepared if you are a US citizen! Your car insurance will not do you any good in Mexico if you got it in the USA! It is a very wise idea to purchase some sort of Mexican auto insurance before you leave for your trip because if anything happens to you or your car, your US insurance won’t pay a dime of it!

The motor vehicle legal rights in Mexico can benefit or hurt a driver- it just depends on which side of preparation you are on!


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