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yodave

Mar 9, 2012, 11:33 AM

Post #1 of 14 (2125 views)

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foreign plated vehicle in US? interesting addendum

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Apparently, my situation is a very unusual one. 269 views/2 replies.so here is an update some of you may know about and if you don't i think you'll find it interesting. My post was about my having 2011 Mexican plates in the US and what to do about it. I thought my registration card would suffice if stopped but it has no expiration date on it-only the date that the card was given to me.

Well, after having chats w/ several Mexican officials I am told there is on expiration date because it is a big election year and the powers that be worked it out so Mexicans with newly registered cars have an open-ended registration for now. In other words the registration never expires so they don't have to pay to have it renewed-a bid for votes by whatever politician running who has the power to do such a thing.

Eventually the call will go out for people to have so much time to come in, pay, and get the usual type of registration card with the expiration date but a lot of people are saving a lot of money with this political ruse.

I know this is the case in GTO-haven't a clue about any of the other states registration card scenario.

I believe I have found a solution to the problem stated in my previous post but Im not sure I can mention it on the forum. If anyone wants to give me a private note I will tell them because they may be able to help me out in expediting the solution.

Adios-yodave

Maxmilliano

Mar 12, 2012, 9:11 AM

Post #2 of 14 (1973 views)

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Re: [yodave] foreign plated vehicle in US? interesting addendum

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I have a 2011 Mexican plated vehicle also and when I bought the vehicle I asked about renewing registration and the salesperson told me they would make a public announcement when it was time to renew. We were pulled over recently by Transito in Puerto Vallarta and asked for the Tarjeta de Circulacion which I didn't have or even know what it was. The officer said we had to go to the Hacienda to get one. Anyway he didn't pursue it and I intend to chase this down but haven't got to it yet. I would be curious also what to expect if I want to take the vehicle to the US for a short stay.

Axixic

Mar 12, 2012, 1:20 PM

Post #3 of 14 (1933 views)

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Re: [yodave] foreign plated vehicle in US? interesting addendum

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I found this answer some time ago on another site:

I'm posting this for the benefit of anyone who comes across this thread in the future.

Under the 1943 and 1949 Inter-American Conventions on Road Traffic (variously referred to as "Inter-American Automotive Traffic Convention" and similar names), as well as several bilateral treaties between the United States and Mexico, *residents* (not to be confused with citizenship) of Mexico are permitted to drive their Mexican-plated vehicles in the US for up to 1 year. Their driver licenses issued by a Mexican state are valid in the US as long as they are valid by the issuing state - no time limit.

To sum up: valid driver license from Nuevo Leon (or any other Mexican state) allows a resident of Mexico to drive in the US. Valid plates from Nuevo Leon or any other Mexican state allow a resident of Mexico to drive in the US for up to one year. After that time period, the vehicle must return to Mexico.

This is a federal matter, so state/local laws are subordinate. A state may try to create or enforce a law preventing mexican-licensed drivers or vehicles, but the federal treaties prevent such laws from having legal force.

For reference see http://www.mass.gov/...manual/appendixA.pdf
and you can lookup "Treaties in Force", hosted by the US Dept of State, search "Driving in Wisconsin with a Foreign License" etc. Again, the law is federal, so each state's guidance on the matter should be essentially the same.

From personal experience, law enforcement in areas away from the border may be suspicious at first of a License from Mexico. They may even tell you that you must get a License from _____ (name of the state where you got pulled over). However, some agencies can lookup the status of your foreign license and verify the validity. Know the law, it may be helpful to remember the name "1949 Inter-American Convention on Road Traffic". Print the pdf linked above and keep a copy in your car if you like.

Cheers

(This post was edited by Rolly on Mar 12, 2012, 1:48 PM)

yodave

Mar 12, 2012, 1:53 PM

Post #4 of 14 (1918 views)

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Re: [Axixic] foreign plated vehicle in US? interesting addendum

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Muchisimo gracias Axixic! THIS is exactly what I have been in quest of. I was just advised by a government official to get a Mexican driver's license and only give that one to any officer in the US who stops you and once you have an up to date Mexican registration and license then there shouldn't be anything they can(legally)do.

That is such bull about requiring a license from the state you are in when driving THROUGH it! How impossible is that?

My only problem is still having the 2011 plates which may cause me to get stopped more than I would like. I'm thinking about creating a very authentic looking decal with the # 12 on it and putting it over the 11 when I am in states. Can't see anything illegal about that in the states but will remove it when back in Mexico. I can't see cops understanding the policy here of only issuing new plates every 3 or 4 years.

Will print up that "treaty".

Thanks again!

yodave

tashby

Mar 12, 2012, 2:24 PM

Post #5 of 14 (1910 views)

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Re: [yodave] foreign plated vehicle in US? interesting addendum

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I'm dense. If you're still in Mexico, why don't you just renew your registration and get the 2012 sticker?

yodave

Mar 12, 2012, 2:55 PM

Post #6 of 14 (1893 views)

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Re: [tashby] foreign plated vehicle in US? interesting addendum

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A) The registration cards being issued this year ,in the state of GTO at least, do not have a renewal or expiration date on them-read my post carefully. My registration is up to date as far as Mexico is concerned-I just got the damn thing.

B) There is no such thing as a 2012 sticker, at least in GTO. They issue plates every 3 or 4 years and do not give out renewal stickers but one needs to rely on one's registration being up to date if stopped by a cop-though Mexican cops in GTO all KNOW that EVERYBODY has 2011 plates now so that would not be a reason they would stop anyone. They could stop you for any # of other reasons but not because you have 2011 plates(at least until they issue newer plates and no one knows when that's going to happen).

C) My concern is cops in the UNITED STATES seeing 2011 plates-they don't have a clue about the wacky Mexican system of issuing plates every few years. So I could get stopped for having "expired" plates and would just have to explain the system and show them my registration(which doesn't have a *&x*cking expiration date on it-another wacky deal going on right now in Mexico)and just tell them that the way they do it in Mexico is only put the date one gets the new registration and that it expires one year from that date and the Mexican cops know that. It's so crazy! So that's why I am considering just putting on a very authentic looking sticker w/ the # 12 over the # 11 while in the states so I don't get stopped and don't have to to a lot of explaining.

Hope this clears it up.

RickS

Mar 12, 2012, 3:43 PM

Post #7 of 14 (1878 views)

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Re: [yodave] foreign plated vehicle in US? interesting addendum

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I don't know why I'm jumping into the middle of this, but.....

yodave, it may just be that you are worrying over something that will never happen. And if it does, your valid explanation, of a Mexican law, will suffice. I don't think the US cop is going to shake you down or cart you off to the hoosegow over a situation that he/she does not have any jurisdiction over anyway. But what I would NOT do, is to try to fabricate a #12 and put it over the #11 because now you HAVE gotten into what is probably an "illegal" activity (forging a license plate) and this actually may give him/her a reason to haul you in.

But if you are still worried about someone seeing an "11" and stopping you in your tracks, try this: mist some water on the back of your car and the license plate; quickly 'throw' some fine dirt on the wetting down areas so that the license plate is slightly obscured. Then the coppers won't be able to easily discern that your Mexican plate might be outa date. Keep a small water bottle and some fine dirt in the trunk to reapply ever so often. I think this plan will be exactly what you will need to have a cop-less trip. ;>)

chinagringo

Mar 12, 2012, 4:03 PM

Post #8 of 14 (1866 views)

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Re: [RickS] foreign plated vehicle in US? interesting addendum

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Rick makes a very valid point! Your plates are legal and any attempt to create a sticker constitutes fraud and could cause you much greater problems.

In your other post, you mentioned going to New York. While I haven't driven there in years, I am a former New York drivers license holder. Back in those days, they seemed to be more concerned about vehicles and drivers using licenses from other States to beat the high cost. Police are known to be on the lookout for out of state plates being in the same neighborhood for extended periods.

I am not familiar with just where GTO places their sticker on the plate but here is a common trick here in New Mexico where the sticker goes in the lower right corner: get a wide license plate frame that covers virtually most all of the sticker. I see plenty of vehicles here with expired plates but it is almost impossible for the police to spot unless they are directly behind the vehicle and up close like at a stop light.
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

DavidHF

Mar 12, 2012, 4:26 PM

Post #9 of 14 (1858 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] foreign plated vehicle in US? interesting addendum

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We don't have stickers on the plate but rather in the rear window.

chinagringo

Mar 12, 2012, 4:50 PM

Post #10 of 14 (1845 views)

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Re: [DavidHF] foreign plated vehicle in US? interesting addendum

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Thanks David! I knew that Jalisco did that but wasn't sure about GTO. A US trained cop would probably never think to look in the window. Besides, they would be more inclined to wonder what a Gringo was doing driving a Mexican plated vehicle!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

(This post was edited by chinagringo on Mar 12, 2012, 4:51 PM)

Axixic

Mar 12, 2012, 4:52 PM

Post #11 of 14 (1843 views)

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Re: [DavidHF] foreign plated vehicle in US? interesting addendum

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I think the OP's concern is being pulled over unnecessarily. A U.S. cop can't give a ticket for what the U.S. cop thinks might be fraud and if he did under what law is it going to be prosecuted? How many U.S. cops know what all the expiration date stickers look like in all 50 U.S. states and they darn sure don't know about foreign countries. Even if a cop knows it's not a legitimate sticker, only Mexico can prosecute it according to the treaty. No U.S. state has any authority over a foreign plated vehicle from a country listed in the treaty.

The information about driving a foreign plated vehicle for any amount of time one wishes in the U.S., is not Mexican Law but part of a U.S. treaty so it is covered under U.S. federal law.

Axixic

Mar 12, 2012, 4:58 PM

Post #12 of 14 (1838 views)

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Re: [yodave] foreign plated vehicle in US? interesting addendum

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Your welcome, and you're lucky this was one of my good memory days. Have a good trip but I know you will be harassed by the police wanting to see who is driving a MX plated vehicle and why.

chinagringo

Mar 12, 2012, 5:30 PM

Post #13 of 14 (1822 views)

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Re: [Axixic] foreign plated vehicle in US? interesting addendum

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"How many U.S. cops know what all the expiration date stickers look like in all 50 U.S. states and they darn sure don't know about foreign countries."

You seem to be forgetting that they don't need to know this information any longer. Virtually every law enforcement vehicle in the US has a computer and they can now pull up all of this info on a screen. Here in Albuquerque, they have cars with special camera systems that cruise through parking lots taking pictures of license plates that are immediately cross referenced with the national stolen vehicle data base. Technology does have certain advantages!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

Axixic

Mar 13, 2012, 11:03 AM

Post #14 of 14 (1742 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] foreign plated vehicle in US? interesting addendum

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I really don't care if they can pull up all other state's information. My concern is with a foreign plated vehicle travelling through the U.S. and not being constantly stopped.