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mexigrl

Jul 28, 2009, 7:51 PM

Post #1 of 7 (2919 views)

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Current Vehicle Requirements?

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Hi,

It's been a few years, just checking to see if there are any changes. I know I need insurance - the companies are telling me that a 6 month policy is less than a 30 day one, does that sound correct? The price for my 2005 Pontiac Vibe with full coverage is about 280.00.

What is the current border procedure in Laredo for getting the car into Mexico?

Any shortcuts or things to watch out for would be appreciated. I'm much more nervous about traveling alone this time then I was a few years ago.

Thanks!

Laurianne

PS - I remember a few years ago that you could order the permit online but I was told not to and that it caused problems. Does that work now? In looking at the Banjercito site it appears there is an option to fill out the form and order the permit to be mailed to me, that sounds really easy and takes away my fear of public buildings on the border ;-) Anyones thoughts on this?

(This post was edited by mexigrl on Jul 28, 2009, 8:03 PM)

Judy Parker

Jul 29, 2009, 6:06 AM

Post #2 of 7 (2883 views)

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Re: [mexigrl] Current Vehicle Requirements?

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You can order your car permit on line. We had friends do this recently and they said it was great. However, you will still have to stop at the border to get and pay for your FMT (tourist card). Do use the Columbia bridge instead of going through Nuevo Laredo. You will also need a Texas Tag for your car to go thru the Columbia but you can do that on line also.

jimboynton

Jul 29, 2009, 6:25 AM

Post #3 of 7 (2879 views)

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Re: [mexigrl] Current Vehicle Requirements?

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1. Vehicle title
2. Car registration
3. Driver's license
4. Passport
5. Tourist permit (FM)
6. Credit Card in your name
7. Photocopies of 1,2,3, & 5.

Tourist permit is completed first

Note Insurance not required but of course get it. Cost is about right (My 2004 Toyota Sienna was $275).

I have considered the online route but the cost is double the border price and you still have to stop at the border so after my FM I walked across the hall and get the car permit and save around $20.

I also use the Colombia Bridge. One building immediately across the Bridge completes all paperwork. Very few people there and English spoken. For me it worth the extra drive. Others will tell you to cross directly at Laredo but I often overnight in Laredo (Comfort Inn) drive over get my paperwork done and re-cross back to hotel for a leisure dinner and next morning shot across the Laredo Bridge to SLP for the night.

mexigrl

Jul 29, 2009, 1:20 PM

Post #4 of 7 (2843 views)

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Re: [jimboynton] Current Vehicle Requirements?

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My only experience has been Laredo. I've heard both good and bad about Colombia lately. As I am a woman traveling alone I'd like to limit my exposure as much as possible. I found the procedure at N.L for getting the permit cumbersome in the past - waiting for up to an hour along with some confusion. It seems like if I can get the permit ahead of time that would take away one issue. What I don't remember is getting the FM-T as I always did it along with my car. If I already have my permit then where do I get the FM-T? Do they do it right at the border?

Anyone use the Colombia Bridge recently? I've heard conflicting reports about access and the hours there.

Thanks!

Altahabana

Jul 29, 2009, 4:39 PM

Post #5 of 7 (2819 views)

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Re: [mexigrl] Current Vehicle Requirements?

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At the Nuevo Laredo permit station the only time you will encounter long waits are on Friday and Saturday mornings after 8:00 a.m. and during peak holiday travel seasons. If you arrive around daybreak on most days you will probably be the only person there. I get permits every 6 months and have never had to wait more than 15 minutes total in line at the three stations (Immigration, copies and Permits). While it may be true that more people get permits there, the office is also more heavily staffed with more attendants than any other CIITEV location I have used. Step by step for NL it goes like this:

1. The permit station is located between the two bridges and is clearly visible on the south bank of the river as you are crossing Bridge II. The building has the title painted on the exterior "Control de Importación e Internación Temporal de Vehículos." Both the Immigration and the vehicle permit counters are on the same level in a single building.

2. You enter the building through the large doors. There is a restaurant and some insurance offices to the left, but you will turn to the right and enter the open corridor where the immigration, copy and permit stations are located.

3. The first station is Immigration where you get the FMT, fill out the FMT and present it to the Officer who will stamp it with the entry date and write in the validity period.

4. You will then go to the next station and have copies made of your passport, drivers license and proof of ownership. It is about 50 feet down the corridor from Immigration and clearly visible from there.

5. Next you go to the adjacent Banjercito area about 100 feet past the copy station for the vehicle permit. It is in clear view. You will pay the deposit on a credit card and pay for the FMT at the same time, in cash or by a separate credit card transaction.

The Columbia toll road is now part of the TX TAG system, meaning there are no toll booths and you are supposed to have the pre-paid tag to use it. There is a thread further down the page talking about the possible (minimal) consequences of using the road without paying.

I still see little if any utility in crossing at Columbia bridge. It is basically about an extra 20 mile loop around Nuevo Laredo, at least on the route that people on the ex-pat boards seem to take.

But people cross where they feel most comfortable or out of habit. If Columbia creates that comfort, then by all means use it. But the only reasons I have seen offered for using the Columbia detour were not very convincing to me or just flat out wrong.

mexigrl

Jul 29, 2009, 6:50 PM

Post #6 of 7 (2805 views)

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Re: [mexigrl] Current Vehicle Requirements?

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Thanks for all the info you are very helpful! The one question I still have is about doing the permit online. Is there any reason not to? If I do the permit online how do I do my FMT - is that done right at the bridge?

Laurianne

Altahabana

Jul 30, 2009, 5:24 AM

Post #7 of 7 (2787 views)

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Re: [mexigrl] Current Vehicle Requirements?

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As I said in my earlier post the Immigration station in Nuevo Laredo where you get the FMT is in the same building where you get the vehicle permit. You don't save much time in my opinion by purchasing the vehicle permit online because you have to go to the same building to get the FMT. Since the online process costs $20 more, it isn't worth the time you might save in my opinion.

The vehicle permit process is not complicated and as long as you have the required documents it goes quickly. The key to getting in and out quickly at the busier CIITEV modulos/stations is to go at non-peak times. If you spend the night in the Laredo (Texas) you can (1) do as one poster suggested, cross and take care of the paperwork the night before or (2) get to the station around 6:30 a.m. In either case you can be on the road to the interior at daybreak.