MexConnect.com Forums: General: Living, Working, Retiring: A Driver's License Renewal from Hell: Page 2

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Oscar2

Nov 12, 2007, 12:18 PM

Post #26 of 40 (1238 views)

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Re: [Rolly] I HAVE A LICENSE

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No mordíta involved.

When you said No mordíta involved, I thought about this and you, the investment of life you’ve shared with those who now see you in part, as familia, and yes, there is a mordida. But of the kind that took more than just a few pesos, it’s of the kind endeared only by those around you whom you’ve given so much of yourself.

Felicitaciones, Rolly

morgaine7

Nov 12, 2007, 3:51 PM

Post #27 of 40 (1215 views)

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Re: [Rolly] I HAVE A LICENSE

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Glad to hear it, Rolly. I was hoping things would work out for you.

Kate

Kayjulia

Nov 13, 2007, 8:49 PM

Post #28 of 40 (1170 views)

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Re: [morgaine7] I HAVE A LICENSE

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So glad to hear you got your lic. I thought to myself when you said you had a friend looking into it things would work out somehow. A lot of times it is who asks and then it all becomes clear to the gate keeper what should be done :) I bet your so relieved to have this over with.

This is my address for my Mexico blog a work
in progress. http://juliasmexicosaga.blogspot.com

Rolly

Nov 15, 2007, 10:13 AM

Post #29 of 40 (1131 views)

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Re: [Rolly] A Driver's License Renewal from Hell

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A little follow up: I have learned that the "only citizens can have a driver's license" thing is indeed a new law in the states of Durango and Coahuila.

Rolly Pirate

JohnnyBoy

Nov 15, 2007, 1:26 PM

Post #30 of 40 (1110 views)

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Re: [Rolly] A Driver's License Renewal from Hell

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I have been putting off getting a Mexican driver's license because my California license is good until my birthday in 2009. But if these two Mexican states, that Rolly mentions, have changed their laws, and since there is such a fuss going on in the USA to deny driver's licenses to non-citizens/legal residents, perhaps other Mexican states will adopt the same policy.

Since I do not have any friends in high Sonoran places maybe I better get a move-on and go get a Mexican license. I know I should ask this question on the Northwest Mexico forum, but I wonder if any people in Sonora, Baja California, Chihuahua, etc. have heard any rumblings about this?

And then, those of you who have Mexican driver's licenses, who go back NOB and rent a car, do you have any problems?

I will never forget going into a bar in Pocatello, Idaho with two German girlfriends and ordering a drink. We were all well into our 30's and the barmaid was well into her 70's if not 80's. She asked for ID and I used my Kansas DL. The two German girls presented their passports. The old barmaid took them back behind the bar, whipped out a magnifying glass, studied them, and then returned to refuse us our drinks. The passports were not valid because they were in "some foreign language" and she was pretty sure that Kansas was dry. I wonder how the pinhead at the car rental counter at the airport would react to a Mexican driver's license.

jb

jennifer rose

Nov 15, 2007, 7:08 PM

Post #31 of 40 (1084 views)

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Re: [Rolly] A Driver's License Renewal from Hell

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Please provide the cite to the new law to which you've referred.

At http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1115driverslicenses1115.htm l, Chris Hawley of the Arizona Republic's Mexico City Bureau writes:

Yet, licensing offices in all of Mexico's 31 states, along with the Federal District, where Mexico City is located, said they require applicants to prove their citizenship, preferably by showing a federal voter-registration card issued by the Federal Elections Institute.

Of those, 28 states and the Federal District said they would issue licenses to foreigners only if they present valid FM-2 or FM-3 residency visas.

The central Mexican states of Morelos, Puebla and Guerrero are more lenient. Foreigners there can get a driver's license with a valid tourist visa, or FMT.

Rolly

Nov 16, 2007, 5:54 AM

Post #32 of 40 (1063 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] A Driver's License Renewal from Hell

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I wish I could cite chapter and verse of the new law. I'm still working on that. For now all I have is the word of the local Jefe of the license office, and, more importantly, the lady from the governor's office who arranged an exception for me. Both of them insist that it is a new change in the law and not a regulation, and that both Durango and Coahuila have made this change.

If I can track down the law, I'll post it. For now I'm just thankful to have found a way around it.

Rolly Pirate

Brian

Nov 16, 2007, 6:20 AM

Post #33 of 40 (1057 views)

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Re: [Rolly] A Driver's License Renewal from Hell

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In Reply To

Please ask the person who interceded for you to give us the basis upon which exceptions to the law are granted by the governor's office? You mentioned that no mordida was paid so it would be helpful for others who need to renew in the future. TIA

Brian

(This post was edited by Brian on Nov 16, 2007, 10:19 AM)

Oscar2

Nov 16, 2007, 11:32 AM

Post #34 of 40 (1021 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] A Driver's License Renewal from Hell

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The central Mexican states of Morelos, Puebla and Guerrero are more lenient. Foreigners there can get a driver's license with a valid tourist visa, or FMT.

Jen, thanks for the post, it's something that that may cause future issues in getting a Mexican drivers license. It’s good knowing Morelos, and other states are still more lenient.

Fortunately, if all goes well, in the next few weeks or so, I will fly/drive too Morelia. Based on what is going on right now, it would probably be best to get my butt over to the drivers licensing bureau, (need correct name) show them my current Guad addressed FM3 and get my Mexican DL.

Questions:

1. Will I have to show them my valid NoB driver’s license or is this not necessary?

2. Is there some sort of literature I must read in order to pass a test, if any.

3. If there is a test, is it in Spanish or is there an English option?

4. If my resident address is in Guad, will they still issue me a license in Morelia?

5. Is license’s issued at the counter or is it mailed?

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Mexican officials said the application rules are strictly enforced, especially in southern states that have a problem with illegal immigrants from Central America.

That sounds like perhaps Chiapas and thereabouts?

(This post was edited by Oscar2 on Nov 16, 2007, 11:34 AM)

jennifer rose

Nov 16, 2007, 12:09 PM

Post #35 of 40 (1008 views)

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Re: [Oscar2] A Driver's License Renewal from Hell

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Morelia is a long way from the State of Morelos. It's in Michoacan. It might be helpful to brush up on Mexican geography.

Just like anywhere else, a driver's license corresponds to the address of the applicant. If you live in Jalisco, you get a driver's license in Jalisco. Guadalajara is in Jalisco, and so too is Ajijic.

In Michoacan, Spanish is the lingua franca. The test is not given in English. The test I took was oral, because that's what the examiner was doing that day. At some driver's license stations, the test has been written. The license was issued that day. Hardly anything is mailed in Mexico. Now I'm on my second renewal of my driver's license, but an FM-3 or better is required in this state. No test is required after the first issuance of a driver's license here, only a current medical exam from IMSS, the Red Cross or Transito. The existence of a NOB-issued driver's license does not impress anyone at Transito here.

Bloviator

Nov 16, 2007, 12:23 PM

Post #36 of 40 (1007 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] A Driver's License Renewal from Hell

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I think it was on one of the xenophonic talk shows NoB - or possibly the San Diego Union - earlier this week they were making a big point of the requirements for Mexican drivers licences in light of the hassles going on over drivers' licenses for illegal immigrants in New York. No illegal immigrants allowed to drive in Mexico.

Oscar2

Nov 16, 2007, 1:46 PM

Post #37 of 40 (998 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] A Driver's License Renewal from Hell

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Thanks Jen, sometimes my brain gets stuck in park and little details like what I had for breakfast goes by the wayside. Not to worry, I’m working on it and as I get younger things will get better…….

NoB I believe you must be a resident of the state your applying for a DL a minimum period of time, although once you’ve got your DL one can drive all over the US as you can do with a Mexican DL SoB.

I’m curious, is there a minimum residency requirement in getting a DL in Morelia or will a utility bill suffice?

Bloviator, If memory is serving me correctly, there was a piece in the paper where prior to the last democratic presidential debate, Hilary Clinton previously was for issuance of American DL’s to immigrants but with the election race getting closer, Hilary and a host of other hopefuls are making an about face to the chagrin of Mexican officials. Don’t you just love election time………

Georgia

Nov 16, 2007, 4:54 PM

Post #38 of 40 (970 views)

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Re: [JohnBleazard] A Driver's License Renewal from Hell

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We have never had a problem renting a car in the US with a Mexican driver's license. Likewise, you can rent a car in Mexico with a US driver's license, etc. etc. throughout the world. (There may be some odd place that doesn't want tourists to drive, don't know.)

robrt8

Nov 16, 2007, 9:59 PM

Post #39 of 40 (910 views)

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Re: [Rolly] A Driver's License Renewal from Hell

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I see it now Rolly. Now, I'm can't see if that tricicletto has a hatch, but if it does, borrow that Christmas Eve. You're Santa!
(licenced)

sioux4noff

Nov 18, 2007, 11:39 AM

Post #40 of 40 (851 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] A Driver's License Renewal from Hell

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The existence of a NOB-issued driver's license does not impress anyone at Transito here.

Maybe not there, but here in southern Nayarit, a Dutch friend went to get her license. They looked at ther passport, FM3 and current drivers license. And they told her if her driving was good enough for a license in Europe, they were sure she was a fine driver. And they issued her a license with no test.

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