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GTeam

Jun 5, 2012, 8:05 PM

Post #1 of 9 (3997 views)

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Drivers license in Mexico

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Hi there,
I have heard that you can get a Mexican drivers license pretty easy here. I am here for at least another year on a FM3. Does anyone know: if producing a Mexican drivers license to the authorities when pulled over = less problems? Is there an advantage of having a Mexican drivers license?
thanks

Maesonna

Jun 6, 2012, 7:13 AM

Post #2 of 9 (3941 views)

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Re: [GTeam] Drivers license in Mexico

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About advantages/disadvantages: I don’t know first-hand, but when this question has been asked before, I’ve never heard of anyone with a non-Mexican license who said that it created a problem for them.

About ease of obtaining: It depends which state. Some states require a test, some require a ‘medical exam,’ some don’t. The easiest license to get must be DF: the only requirements are to have a DF address, and to be literate. You present your ID and proof of payment, and you get your license. Knowing how to drive is not required.

YucaLandia

Jun 6, 2012, 8:39 AM

Post #3 of 9 (3914 views)

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Re: [GTeam] Drivers license in Mexico

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Police problems from using a foreign drivers license: Every once in a while the Mexican police have minor problems finding the expiration date. If you can remember " fecha de caducidad " (expiration date), then there should be no problems.

~ 26 years of driving on a US drivers license here & no problems ~
-
Read-on MacDuff
E-visit at http://yucalandia.com

morgaine7

Jun 6, 2012, 9:21 AM

Post #4 of 9 (3899 views)

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Re: [GTeam] Drivers license in Mexico

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It seems to vary by state, so you need to inquire for your location. In Baja California Sur, we need a BCS driver's license for car registration and are expected to have one if we're pulled over driving a BCS-plated car. I also had to produce mine to get auto insurance. An unrelated advantage is that it's very handy for use as photo ID because everyone is familiar with it … much more so than with the immigration IDs (FM2, FM3).

Kate

johanson

Jun 6, 2012, 11:33 AM

Post #5 of 9 (3876 views)

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Re: [YucaLandia] Drivers license in Mexico

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YucaLandia, you wrote

"~ 26 years of driving on a US drivers license here & no problems ~"

I had no idea, "26 years". That's why you know so much about living in Mexico. Keep up the good work. I enjoy your posts.

Sorry for posting off topic. But on topic, because I live part time in the US, my state demands that I have a local WA drivers license. (I keep an old car up here).

People told me that I would be hassled less in Mexico, if I could speak some Spanish and had a local (Jalisco) license.

So yes, I know many who survive on one or the other license (Mexican or other country) but I find it simpler to have both. And when in Canada, I have no problem with my US license.

(This post was edited by johanson on Jun 6, 2012, 1:06 PM)

Maesonna

Jun 6, 2012, 11:58 AM

Post #6 of 9 (3863 views)

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Re: [YucaLandia] Drivers license in Mexico

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On the subject of expiry date, the reverse is also true. When I use my Mexican DF driver’s license to rent a car in Canada, the rental agent always peers suspiciously at the notation “Fecha exp.” followed by a date in the past. “Is that the expiry date?” they ask. I explain that, no, exp. stands for expedición, so it means date of issue. So far they’ve always trusted me.

Gri-lango

Jun 7, 2012, 2:43 PM

Post #7 of 9 (3756 views)

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Re: [GTeam] Drivers license in Mexico

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As mentioned by previous posters, each state varies. I can confirm DF is very easy and so is Edo Mex (State of Mexico). Edo Mex only issues DL for the time of your Immigration status is valid (your DL expires when your INM card expires). DF is multiple years and does not depend on your INM expiration date. If you choose to be an organ donor, you must know your blood type.

IMHO, I think the efficacy of avoiding mordidas greatly depends on: knowing the transit laws, knowing the unwritten traffic laws, NOT being intimidated or losing your cool, language skills, negotiation skills, etc etc. I personally think it has little to do with where the license was issued.

skier14

Jun 12, 2012, 4:33 PM

Post #8 of 9 (3527 views)

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Re: [Gri-lango] Drivers license in Mexico

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I just returned from Guadalajara Centro Avenida Alcalde, after going through what was necessary to get my FIRST Mexican drivers license. Requirements: Original and one copy each of, INM status FM3 or FM2, passport info page, Calif. Drivers License(expires 14 June 2012), official certificate of blood type with Rh factor, recent residence comprobante in my name(I used my Megacable bill) and the original application form. Wait in line for the person to check papers. Quickly to get photo and enter information and fingerprints into computer. Quickly to testing 20 questions via computer (ALL QUESTIONS IN SPANISH) No English version available. No official to help with translation. They allowed a woman who was sitting next to me to help with her limited English. She had just finished the test. I PASSED. The most difficult part was understanding how to work the computer(Multiple choice A,B or C. Then to the driving test. Another lady waiting to test drive told me what to do. No official spoke English. I had the option of using my car which I had parked in a parking garage or using one of their cars either standard shift or automatic or use one of the their pickups. I chose Standard shift sedan. Entered car, engaged seat belt, checked both side rearview and overhead mirrors. I actually touched each mirror. Drove car out from the parking space(pylones front and back), toured around the marked course and stopping at all white line before crosswalk markings and a non-functional semaphore signal for about 5 seconds before proceeding. I never shifted out of first gear on the course that was a little bigger than a basketball court. After twice around I put my arm out the window as to ask the young man what next and he pointed to a pylone framed spot and I parked the car without touching pylones. Got full credit for driving. Waited again for about 45 minutes to pay in cash $464? pesos. Went to another window and gave all documents to a gentleman and waited 20 minutes for my license. Piece of cake, but thanks to the two ladies who helprd me.

cbviajero

Jun 12, 2012, 5:52 PM

Post #9 of 9 (3509 views)

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Re: [skier14] Drivers license in Mexico

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I got my license there also,it was a efficient office IMO,I opted to take the test in one of their pickups because that qualifies you for a "chofer" license which you need to have in order to drive a pickup truck legally.
PS:Glad to hear your'e doing well.

(This post was edited by cbviajero on Jun 12, 2012, 6:14 PM)