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cogan

Nov 17, 2003, 6:58 AM

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Renewing a Mexican Drivers license

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What documents are needed to renew a Mexican drivers licese in Jalisco? Now that the office is closed in Riberas, is there an office closer than Guadalajara?

jerezano

Nov 17, 2003, 7:37 AM

Post #2 of 10 (793 views)

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Re: [cogan] Renewing a Mexican Drivers license

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Hello,

It varies with every office of course, but usually they are the same documents you needed to get your present license.

1. Proof of residence

2. Your birth certificate.

3. Your Passport (why both? God only knows)

4. Your FM3 if you have one

5. A physical examination showing a blood type. And often if you are over 70 a separate Constancia from your doctor that you are still fit to drive

6. Money for the fee. And also a bribe for the clerk when the license is finally delivered a couple of weeks later. Otherwise she can't find it and you have to keep going back.

7. And of course photografías infantiles. I forget how many.

So of course the answer to your question is really you better go and read the list of requirements for the office you are going to use. And never expect to get the license the same day. In your case be prepared for at least three trips. I do know people who with a good substantial bribe have made one trip and received their license the same day without a physical examination, without a blood type, and with ages 30 years younger than they are. After all, this is Mexico.

Good luck. Adios. Jerezano.

Esteban

Nov 17, 2003, 9:23 AM

Post #3 of 10 (779 views)

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Re: [jerezano] Renewing a Mexican Drivers license

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The laws concerning licenses is a state to state issue. Here in Mazatlan, they take the picture for you. Here, you have to have an FM-3, proof of domicilio, passport and for a renewal probably not much more. I'm sure the previous blood test will suffice as blood doesn't change.

esperanza

Nov 17, 2003, 5:39 PM

Post #4 of 10 (739 views)

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Re: [jerezano] Renewing a Mexican Drivers license

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I renewed my driver's license at the end of October. If you live near Chapala, you can renew in Ocotlán rather than drive into Guadalajara. The distance is about the same, but of course you won't have to fight Guadalajara traffic.

What is required to renew:

1. Your old license.
2. A copy of the inside front pages of your current passport, showing your picture and passport number.
3. A copy of the inside front pages of your FM3 or FM2, showing your picture and place of residence.
4. A comprobante de domicilio (proof of residence) that is either an electric bill or a telephone bill in the name of the person renewing the license. The bill must be less than 90 days old. NO OTHER PROOF OF RESIDENCE IS ACCEPTED.
5. You must state your blood type, but no proof is required.
6. A legal-size manila file folder.
7. Proof that you have paid for your new license. You can pay either in Chapala (the office which receives payments is next door [to the right] of the Serfin Bank) or in Ocotlán; that office is near the tránsito office where you renew.

Bring the originals of the above-mentioned documents with you. If you unexpectedly need a copy of a different page of one of them, the tránsito office has a copy machine and will make the copy for you.

There's no written or driver's test when you renew.

DIRECTIONS TO OCOTLAN:

Drive north from Chapala on the Guadalajara-bound highway until you come to the turnoff for Santa Rosa/Ocotlán/La Barca, a right turn. Continue East along that road through Atotonilquillo and other small towns until you come to the traffic light at the entrance to Ocotlán. Turn left at the light (there's a left-turn arrow) and immediately turn RIGHT as if you were going into Ocotlán center. Stay in the left-hand lane. When you come to the next traffic light, turn left (almost a U-turn) into the lateral lane heading back the way you came. The tránsito office is on your right about 3/4 block. Go in the door, up the stairs, and to the office on the right. A young woman will fill out the appropriate renewal form for you.

Your new driver's license will be given to you immediately, no waiting. And certainly no bribe. That kind of comment is truly uncalled for.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

(This post was edited by esperanza on Nov 17, 2003, 9:40 PM)

johanson

Nov 17, 2003, 6:43 PM

Post #5 of 10 (715 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Renewing a Mexican Drivers license

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Hey great instructions. You made it sound much more simple than I had anticipated. You mentioned proof of payment for your new license. As I recollect there are two types of licenses most often obtained by the expat, the normal license for smaller vehicles and the "CHOFER" license (the one I have) that also allows me to drive a larger rig.

What does it cost to renew your drivers License these days? Is it the same for each type of license?

Thanks in advance for your information

esperanza

Nov 17, 2003, 9:36 PM

Post #6 of 10 (696 views)

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Re: [johanson] Renewing a Mexican Drivers license

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I have the licencia de chofer too. I think it was just under 300 pesos, but I honestly can't remember. The other one is less, around 200.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Don

Nov 18, 2003, 7:23 AM

Post #7 of 10 (673 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Renewing a Mexican Drivers license

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I too have a "licencia de chofer". I was told at the time I received it, that you need a chofer license to drive any size truck. Large or small, including pickups. Don't know if that is true, but that is what I was told.

LindaM

Nov 18, 2003, 3:43 PM

Post #8 of 10 (642 views)

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Re: [cogan] Renewing a Mexican Drivers license

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Excellent posts. I'd like to add something. If you rent your home and if your electric and phone bills are in the name of the owner rather than your own, you will need a "comprabante de domicilio" from the Secretary General of Chapala (upstairs in the municipal building). He'll look at your FM-2 or 3, your passport and the utility bills and have you go downstairs and pay 25 pesos. Then he'll have a letter typed for you to present in Ocotlan. We were not aware of this and got all the way to Ocotlan and were told we could not renew the license without it. Five hours drive time total for a license renewal!!!!

esperanza

Nov 18, 2003, 4:39 PM

Post #9 of 10 (636 views)

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Re: [LindaM] Renewing a Mexican Drivers license

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Thank you, I had forgotten about that. You're right.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

jrice

Nov 26, 2003, 8:02 PM

Post #10 of 10 (571 views)

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Re: [jerezano] Renewing a Mexican Drivers license

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It seems to vary by time as well as by office.

I got a license in one day with no problem in Mexico City. Other folks have been asked to answer correctly every que$$tion on a complex test and to come back later.

At one point, they just gave them out to anybody, figuring that anybody would get them anyway with a bribe.

As somebody here said, go check at the office, or ask somebody who has just visited there.