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Doug

Jul 30, 2002, 6:33 AM

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drivers license

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How long can I drive in Mex. with a Canadian license and FM3 before I must obtain Mex. drivers license??

Robert

Jul 30, 2002, 6:53 AM

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drivers license

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There is no limit under your FM3 or even under a tourist permit.: How long can I drive in Mex. with a Canadian license and FM3 before I must obtain Mex. drivers license??

Rolly

Jul 30, 2002, 8:07 AM

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No time limit, but...

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: How long can I drive in Mex. with a Canadian license and FM3 before I must obtain Mex. drivers license??As long as your Canadian license is valid you are OK, but you may want to go ahead and get a Mexican license.Shortly after I moved to Mexico, I went to local driver's license office and asked about the necessity/wisdom of a Mexican license. I was told that as long as my California was valid I was technically covered. She went on to say, however, that not all cops understand that, and I would be wise to have a Mexican license; so I got one. Since my CA license was still valid, I was not required to take any tests – written, driving or vision – only a picture, a blood type test, and pay 250 pesos. I did not have to surrender my CA license. Having two licenses is nice – if a cop takes my Mexican license, I still have my CA license to use until I retrieve my Mexican one.

Liz

Jul 31, 2002, 10:21 AM

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Is the Mexican liscense valid in the US?

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I don't drive here but my American liscense will expire before I go back. If I got a Mexican one and it covered it would help.

sermextr

Aug 3, 2002, 5:33 PM

Post #5 of 9 (394 views)

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Is the Mexican liscense valid in the US?

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Liz, please call your local law enforcement agency and ask them. Information you get from them has to be better than what you'll get here. If you don't mind, please let us know what you learn because it is an interesting question.: I don't drive here but my American liscense will expire before I go back. If I got a Mexican one and it covered it would help.

sermextr

Aug 3, 2002, 5:44 PM

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Whoops!

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Sorry, Liz. I misread your question. Okay, the rule is that your driver's license is supposed to match your registration. But in your case, since both your license and registration will have expired it seems to me that you have to deal with the problem at the border. If you can't get a license in the state where you cross, then maybe the thing to do is put the car in storage and fly home and get the papers you need. Sorry, I can't think of anything better.

sermextr

Aug 3, 2002, 6:28 PM

Post #7 of 9 (394 views)

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Is the Mexican liscense valid in the US?

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Liz:Never mind the 2 posts from me below this one. On monday I'll call over to the state highway patrol office near here and ask them what you should do. The rules should be the same for all the states. By the way, does your home state require a smog test at registration?

Marky

Aug 4, 2002, 1:43 PM

Post #8 of 9 (394 views)

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Is the Mexican liscense valid in the US?

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In answer to the question of a Mexican drivers licence valid in the good old U S of A, that answer is yes. Like the US and Canada, how to go about obtaining one depends on the state you live in.The procedure to exchange one for a US license once you are back also varies depending on the state where you are making the exchange. In short, don't be taken aback if you have to take every single test all over again rather than just the written and eye test. That bit of advice applies to both sides of the border.

sermextr

Aug 5, 2002, 11:03 AM

Post #9 of 9 (393 views)

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Is the Mexican liscense valid in the US?

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Liz, here's what the sheriff's office told me:A Mexican driver's license would be valid. Since the car's registration would be expired there's no problem with conflict. So that means you have to get trip permits for each state you cross. Whenever you get one, ask about reciprocity agreements with other states.I hope this helps.: I don't drive here but my American liscense will expire before I go back. If I got a Mexican one and it covered it would help.