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Ross Brownridge

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

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Car Lisences

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I am an OLD Canadian in good health. I am planning to move to the Lake Chapala area in May/03. My questions are
1. As a FM3 retiree resident, I understand that I can bring my car without imort duties, but can not get Mexican lisence plates for 5 years. Also my car must be over 10 years old before I can get Mexican lisence plates. Since as a resident of Mexico I am not able to renew my Ontario Canada lisence plates, how can I drive my car????? The Mexican Embassy did not have an answer.
Please any advice which is legal would be appreciated. The only thought I have is whether I can make my niece, living in Ontario, co-owner and have her get Ontario plates for me!!!!

With Thanks
Ross

Ross C. Brownridge

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #2 of 6 (1006 views)

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Car Lisences

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To Rolly, Dave & Jean
Thanks for your information.There must be a better sokution than staying with expired Ontario Plates. What about mt idea of having my niece as co-owner? She lives in Ontario and can keep the plates legal even though I drive the car in Mexico????? I have talk to the Mexican Embassy in Ottawa and they do not have a ready answer, but will look into it. If I hear something, I will post it.
Again many thanks
Ross

Rolly

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #3 of 6 (1006 views)

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Car Lisences

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Don't fret about it, Ross. The Mexican rules say you have to have plates on your car, but the registration does not have to be kept current. Most of us who live here have expired plates. No problem until you want to drive the car back north, and even then there is a work-around for the expired plates.

Jean

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #4 of 6 (1006 views)

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Car Lisences

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The problem happens when you need to do the Drive Clean test. If you are willing to drive your car back for that, then you have no problem.I am not willing to drive to Ontario for a Drive Clean test on a car with 24,000 KM. I do not need my registration renewed here so it's their loss.

Dave

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #5 of 6 (1006 views)

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another option

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: Import your car. You then can plate and insure it. Also you need to get a Mexican drivers licence. I did an 88 surburban for $500.: Don't fret about it, Ross. The Mexican rules say you have to have plates on your car, but the registration does not have to be kept current. Most of us who live here have expired plates. No problem until you want to drive the car back north, and even then there is a work-around for the expired plates.

Jean

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #6 of 6 (1006 views)

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Car Lisences

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I am from Ontario and have just faced the same problem.Ontario will not renew my plates unless I bring my car back up there for some "Drive Clean" test.I wrote and explained the situation and they more or less said tough.So I asked around and found that as long as I have plates and a registration and my FM3 is current I have no problems.Someone did mention that you should check your car insurance policy down here to make sure there is no clause that states if your plates are not current then you are not insured.So Ontario losses the bucks and if I need to drive back up there are ways to work around it.