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Kokopelli-az

Oct 20, 2010, 12:14 PM

Post #1 of 10 (3630 views)

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Do I need a new vehicle permit or not ?

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I sure hope this question hasn't been answered previously because I could not find a definite answer.

I have a current FM-3 (soon to be renewed as the new no inmigrante card) and my vehicle permit/sticker is 3 years old. I will soon be crossing the border into Mexico from Laredo. Prior to this May (when the new immigration rules went into effect) I did not have to stop or do anything regarding my vehicle permit as it was considered valid as long as my FM-3 was current.

Q: Has anything changed that I now need to stop and get a new vehicle permit? Or will my current vehicle permit still be OK?

It has been very unclear with the FM-3 changes what has changed, if anything, regarding the vehicle permit (ie, is it still valid as long as the FM-3 is valid).

Thank you,
Vickie

Rolly

Oct 20, 2010, 12:26 PM

Post #2 of 10 (3626 views)

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Re: [Kokopelli-az] Do I need a new vehicle permit or not ?

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Nothing has changed. Since November 2006, there has been a rule that you must turn in your vehicle permit when you exit the country. This rule has never been enforced with any vigor. I can recall reading only one report of a driver getting hollered at for not doing it.

I have, however, read many horror stories from folks who did not turn in the permit, and fate frown upon them making it impossible to return with the car. The experience of getting that missing car off the computer will make you a true believer.

Rolly Pirate

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

(This post was edited by Rolly on Oct 20, 2010, 12:27 PM)

Kokopelli-az

Oct 22, 2010, 1:11 PM

Post #3 of 10 (3504 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Do I need a new vehicle permit or not ?

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I'm a little confused. I have traveled between the US and Mexico several times with the same vehicle permit. I understood that my permit was tied to my FM-3 and the vehicle permit was valid as long as my FM-3 was valid (Article 106). I have never been questioned about the vehicle permit. I was wondering if this had changed with the new immigration rules that went into effect in May.

Are you saying, Rolly, that even with a valid FM-3 I should be turning in the vehicle permit when I exit Mexico and then obtain a new permit upon re-entry?

Vickie

Rolly

Oct 22, 2010, 1:35 PM

Post #4 of 10 (3495 views)

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Re: [Kokopelli-az] Do I need a new vehicle permit or not ?

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Are you saying, Rolly, that even with a valid FM-3 I should be turning in the vehicle permit when I exit Mexico and then obtain a new permit upon re-entry?

Yep, that's what you are supposed to do.
Been that way for the past four years.
Common sense has been saying it for a lot longer.
If you ignore the rule, nothing is likely to happen to you
until you find yourself unable to return in that car.
Then you'll be so very sorry.

Rolly Pirate

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

Kokopelli-az

Oct 22, 2010, 1:45 PM

Post #5 of 10 (3489 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Do I need a new vehicle permit or not ?

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Well, here goes. I am in the US with my valid FM-3 and the vehicle sticker on my car. When I return to Mexico should I:

1. attempt to rectify this going south at the Nuevo Laredo stop; or

2. hope no one asks about my vehicle sticker and then turn it in (at Nuevo Laredo) when I return to the US?

I don't want to do something I'm not supposed to (it looks like maybe I already have) but what would be the easiest resolution given my situation?

Vickie

Reefhound

Oct 22, 2010, 2:11 PM

Post #6 of 10 (3475 views)

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Re: [Kokopelli-az] Do I need a new vehicle permit or not ?

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Do nothing.

The danger in not returning it is you might lose the car in the U.S. and then cannot return the permit later.

If you're already in the U.S. then upon return to the border you've already cleared that risk.

There's no hoping to it. Once back in Mexico your permit is valid with your FM3. They have no way to know the car was ever out of Mexico.

(This post was edited by Reefhound on Oct 22, 2010, 2:12 PM)

Kokopelli-az

Oct 22, 2010, 2:39 PM

Post #7 of 10 (3460 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] Do I need a new vehicle permit or not ?

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Sounds like a plan. But upon returning from Mexico to the US, I should turn in my vehicle permit in case the car is sold while I'm in the States (and the permit is still on the windshield).......

esperanza

Oct 22, 2010, 2:58 PM

Post #8 of 10 (3453 views)

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Re: [Kokopelli-az] Do I need a new vehicle permit or not ?

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Yes. You don't take the sticker off, however. Let the authorities do that. They will give you a receipt showing that your car has been taken out of the country following the correct procedures. Keep that receipt in case you are required to show it when you come back into Mexico at some point in the future. Once in a while a glitch in the system will not show that you have turned in your old receipt and you'll want to be able to prove that indeed you have.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Kokopelli-az

Oct 22, 2010, 3:21 PM

Post #9 of 10 (3446 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Do I need a new vehicle permit or not ?

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Thank you one and all. Final Q: I can return my vehicle permit at any border crossing, regardless of which one I got it at, correct?

Reefhound

Oct 22, 2010, 3:57 PM

Post #10 of 10 (3435 views)

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Re: [Kokopelli-az] Do I need a new vehicle permit or not ?

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You can return at any crossing with Banjercito facilities (which is most of them) if you put up a credit card as deposit. If you put up cash bond, you have to return to original crossing.