Forums > General > General Forum

whistler

Dec 28, 2008, 6:45 PM

Post #1 of 9 (6616 views)

Shortcut

Is a Mexican Driver's License Necessary?

Can't Post | Private Reply

I have a US license and am in Mexico on a tourist visa. Is my Texas license adequate to drive a Mexican plated car in Mexico?

Is there any reason to get a Mexican driver's license, and can one be obtained with a tourist visa?

(This post was edited by whistler on Dec 28, 2008, 7:10 PM)

Don

Dec 28, 2008, 7:15 PM

Post #2 of 9 (6600 views)

Shortcut

Re: [whistler] Is a Mexican Driver's License Necessary?

Can't Post | Private Reply

You can drive a Mexican plated car in Mexico. If they would't allow that, they couldn't rent cars to tourists.

Rolly

Dec 28, 2008, 8:17 PM

Post #3 of 9 (6584 views)

Shortcut

Re: [whistler] Is a Mexican Driver's License Necessary?

Can't Post | Private Reply

Only the states of Morelos, Puebla and Guerrero allow FMT holders to get a Mexican license.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

whistler

Jan 21, 2009, 6:13 AM

Post #4 of 9 (6463 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Rolly] Is a Mexican Driver's License Necessary?

Can't Post | Private Reply

The Morelia Department of Motor Vehicles told me yesterday that my Texas license is not valid in Mexico, and confirmed that in Michoacan an FMT is not sufficient for obtaining a Mexican driver's license.

How can I confirm that my Texas license is or is not usable here?

jennifer rose

Jan 21, 2009, 7:17 AM

Post #5 of 9 (6452 views)

Shortcut

Re: [whistler] Is a Mexican Driver's License Necessary?

Can't Post |

If you're driving a US-plated temporarily imported car, your U.S. license is good. The folks at the transito desk sometimes get confused.

BajaGringo

Jan 24, 2009, 12:24 PM

Post #6 of 9 (6336 views)

Shortcut

Re: [whistler] Is a Mexican Driver's License Necessary?

Can't Post | Private Reply

I went ahead and got a driver's license as I also bought a vehicle with Baja plates. I have a "bad habit" of rolling stop signs, making illegal U-turns and even driving (a short distance) the wrong way on a one way street if it is a shortcut to where I am going. Acknowledging and accepting that reality made me realize that if I was going to drive like a local it would be better if I didn't have California plates...

Our House Building Project in Mexico...
Lomas de San Martin
Loving Life on the Baja Peninsula

Professor

Jan 24, 2009, 4:40 PM

Post #7 of 9 (6307 views)

Shortcut

Re: [BajaGringo] Is a Mexican Driver's License Necessary?

Can't Post | Private Reply

I drive in Mexico City with my Texas license and my drivers permit I got from AAA in Texas right before I came to Mexico.Those two things are all you need, at least in Mexico City.

jerezano

Jan 25, 2009, 12:36 PM

Post #8 of 9 (6254 views)

Shortcut

Re: [jfurgers] Is a Mexican Driver's License Necessary?

Can't Post | Private Reply

Hello,

Jennifer is right. With an out of country plated vehicle the drivers license for that country is good for driving in Mexico. Whether that right has a time limit or not I don't know. It could well be that certain states do limit the period granted.

The rules for driving licenses and car plating are set by each state and are different all over Mexico. So far as I know Mexico is just like the United States in that there is no Federally issued driving license. Once you get a Mexican State issued driving license it is good for all states until you change residences.

jerezano

BajaGringo

Feb 2, 2009, 9:49 PM

Post #9 of 9 (6155 views)

Shortcut

Re: [whistler] Is a Mexican Driver's License Necessary?

Can't Post | Private Reply

Another advantage of having a Mexican state issued drivers license is that I have foun d it serves as an accepted form of ID for just about everything I do in Baja. It also is a great way to show that I am a resident - not a tourist - and get the "local" rate at golf courses, etc.

Our House Building Project in Mexico...
Lomas de San Martin
Loving Life on the Baja Peninsula