Cars and Licenses - Page 6

HolyMole · #51 (**permalink**) 8th June 2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodrigo84

My cousin had that issue as he had just a Florida plate and later a South Carolina plate (rear plate only states), and had to get a legal order (known as a constancia) from a local civic judge (juez civico) stating this was so. The local police seemed to think that because Texas had front and rear plates, everyone in the U.S. had front and rear plates.

Back in 1967 we lived in Quebec, which had only rear license plates. However, that year, to advertise EXPO 67, Quebec issued front license plates with EXPO 67 in large letters.
That summer we got a parking ticket in Boston. Since the ticket listed our plate number as " EXPO 67", we didn't bother paying it. I can imagine hundreds of unpaid parking tickets that summer in Boston, all incurred by the same deadbeat with the Quebec plate # EXPO 67.

BradShoe · #52 (**permalink**) 9th June 2009, 10:22 PM

I have followed this and some other threads with great interest and appreciation for the information I've found. I'm looking for advise and to see if I understand everything I've read. First I still live NOB and own a house in the Chapala area - we have it rented out. We plan to move full time to Chapala within the next couple of years. We currently own a way-too-large truck that we plan to sell and buy something more appropriate for living and driving especially around Ajijic. I've decided that rather than bring a US car into Mexico, I'd rather buy a car in Mexico and register it there knowing I can drive it NOB with proper insurance. What I think I understand is I need my FM?, proof of residence and Mexican drivers license to buy a car in Mexico. Since I own a house I'm assuming I can come up with enough documentation to show residency. I have yet to apply for my FM-2 (my current plan) and wonder how long that process takes and can I attain it without actually living full time in Mexico. It also sounds like acquiring a drivers license requires both residence and FM-2 as well.

We travel to Chapala whenever we can. My thoughts have been to work on each of these items as I can until we can finally fly down and buy a car to have there and be able to drive back and forth until we'll be able to finally move there permanently. Any input would be appreciated.

Brad

BryansRose · #53 (**permalink**) 9th June 2009, 11:57 PM

I'm sure RVGringo can answer this better, or others here too. But one thing, if you want to get an FM-2, you can't leave Mexico for 5 years. An FM-3 allows you to travel back and forth to the US.

I"m not sure what you need to buy a car here. I'm sure you'll see some more replies soon.

RVGRINGO · #54 (**permalink**) 10th June 2009, 01:40 AM

The FM2 does have a 'time out of Mexico' restriction during a five year period; I think it is something like 180 days, though I'm not certain of that detail. An FM3 would be better for your purpose and you could convert to an FM2 when you move permanently. Meanwhile, your US driver's license, passport, FM3 and proof of residence in the form of CFE or phone bills will be all you need to buy and register a vehicle. Of course, you will have to be in Mexico at renewal time for the FM3 each year and car registration renewals can be done anytime in December and January for a small discount. You may then have to wait and go back a few times until your stickers actually arrive. You already know about the 'predial' and water bills on your property.

G.Bledsoe · #55 (**permalink**) 12th June 2009, 07:15 PM

BTW: The California Highway Patrol likes front tags because they will reflect radar better.

Maybe some enterprising soul -- like Texas prison warden -- will start making duplicates of other state's tags for our use in Mexico. LOL.

Maybe the best option is to register our cars in Texas. You can use a PO Box as an address.

mexliving · #56 (**permalink**) 12th June 2009, 11:58 PM

if your state does not issue a front license plate, make a color copy and get a clear plastic plate cover and mount on the front of your car/truck. this will help eliminate getting stopped at the check points.

you can get an fm3 in the usa at your local mexican cou. office. its a 2 time visit but will take 1st visit to get information on all documents you need ..... then you turn in documents and get a return date to pick up your fm3.

bournemouth · #57 (**permalink**) 13th June 2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mexliving

if your state does not issue a front license plate, make a color copy and get a clear plastic plate cover and mount on the front of your car/truck. this will help eliminate getting stopped at the check points.

you can get an fm3 in the usa at your local mexican cou. office. its a 2 time visit but will take 1st visit to get information on all documents you need ..... then you turn in documents and get a return date to pick up your fm3.

That is a good idea BUT there was a recent story in either the Guadalajara Reporter or The News of a missionary family doing that somewhere in the north of Mexico and being charged with having fraudulent plates plus other charges. We added a vanity type of plate to our vehicle which will pass from a distance at check points.

floridagal · #58 (**permalink**) 15th June 2009, 09:55 PM

I just found an interesting site related to this post...
License Plates Custom, License Plates Personalized, Vanity Plate

The problem is they add sales tax if you live in FL and $6.00 so it's nearly $40 by the time you get your custom tag... they are kind of nice though and might pay for themselves in less stops by the policia.

I just found another one that gives f'ree shipping with your $24.95 order and charges Fl residents sales tax (that's normal) as well and it's here: http://www.customlicenseplates.com

Hope it helps someone out.

G.Bledsoe · #59 (**permalink**) 15th June 2009, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floridagal

I just found an interesting site related to this post...
License Plates Custom, License Plates Personalized, Vanity Plate

The problem is they add sales tax if you live in FL and $6.00 so it's nearly $40 by the time you get your custom tag... they are kind of nice though and might pay for themselves in less stops by the policia.

I just found another one that gives f'ree shipping with your $24.95 order and charges Fl residents sales tax (that's normal) as well and it's here: Custom License Plates, Vanity License Plates

Hope it helps someone out.

Those state replica tags would probably work. In California we have a front tag (or we are supposed to have one) but there is no annual sticker on it. The policia probably could not tell the difference.

BTW, all front tags should be protected by a metal frame and covered with transpant plastic or lexan to protect the paint fro abrasion. In fact, you can buy plastic covers that shield the numbers from photo cops, too. Not legal in some states.

floridagal · #60 (**permalink**) 15th June 2009, 10:51 PM

They looked like they might work - at least hold off on a few extra stops by uneducated but dedicated policemen.

Wow - guess there's a market for just about anything whether legal or not... good tip on protecting the front plate tho - since it's got a better chance of getting hit by every bug, bit of tar, rocks, etc that you encounter.