Cars and Licenses

[floridagal]

A quick addendum -- I went ahead and bought the vanity plate for the front (even though my silly van has no front plate bracket or screw holes -- huh?) and now will find the rest of what I need to install it.

I got it at Custom License Plates, Vanity License Plates and it comes with the clear protector, a shiny silver-colored frame, an aluminum back plate and the vanity plate. Pretty slick, really... and customer service actually answers emails. :-)) So, get your front license vanity plates from a company that's been in business since 1985.

And no that isn't an affurl - just recommending a good product to fill a need.

[titosarah]

Whoever has said that buying a Mexican car in Mexico is not advisable, should state reasons. I have three vehicles I've purchased here and am very satisfied. Albeit I purchased new, but friends have purchased semi-new without problems. The only downside at least here in Oaxaca is that it costs for annual renewals, and the fees can be arbitrary for example if the government decides that new plates as opposed to a sticker are required. AND, getting tickets for parking can be more diffficult to deal with than if you have foreign plates. HOWEVER, with local plates the likelihood of being stopped on the highway is reduced, you have your warranty for your new vehicle (sometimes Mexican dealerships will not honor US vehicle warranties), you know that servicing will not be an issue (if bringing in a car you have to first determine if parts and servicing are readily available for that make and model, and a great deal depends on proximity of where you will live to a dealership or mechanic with access to parts, etc). If you only recently let your US licence expire, I would consider trying to renew anyway, unless there are tax reasons regarding residency which are impacting that decision. Personally, I try to not burn any bridges as long as the cost of maintaining them is minimal. You never know what the future will hold. I plan to remain in Mexico for the remainder of my life, allowed my CDN licence to expire, then thought again about the decision, and as a result took steps to reinstate it. I feel much more comfortable.

Originally Posted by mayagoforth

I have lived in MX for four years, and I have an FM3 and may get an FM2. My US driver's license expired. Since I have no plans to live in the U.S. (just visit a couple of times a year), I obtained a MX driver's license (yes, I actually took it and passed; no coyotes for me!). I want to buy a new car, but apparently buying a MX car is not recommended. My questions are: (1) Can I buy a car in the U.S. (cash) and bring it back to MX using my MX driver's license but no American license or (2) if I buy in MX (cash), can I enter the US with appropriate documents and just a MX driver's license or, as a U.S. citizen, do I HAVE TO have a American license (I don't have a home in the U.S.; I visit my sons who live in two different states). Thanks for any advice! Maya

[G.Bledsoe]

Personally, I see nothing wrong in buying a Mexican car, as long as the buyer understands the down side: somewhat higher Mexican taxes, fewer safety features, and inadequate emissions equipment.

Mexican taxes on new cars are generally higher than U.S. taxes -- initially and for annual renewals. (I am not sure about used cars.) Mexican cars do not have many of the safety features or emissions equipment required on U.S. and Canadian cars, so they cannot be imported and registered north of the border. (I suppose retrofitting is an [expensive] option in some cases.)

Having Mexican tags on your car certainly helps it to blend in. U.S. tags are sometimes an advantage, as you say, but often they are a disadvantage, especially in larger cities where the transito police, especially in and around Mexico City, see financial opportunity in every foreign tag. Having Mexican tags also eliminates the annual or semi-annual rites of renewing the Mexican temporary car importation permits, especially if you drive into the U.S. often.

I suppose it is important to understand the different licensing and renewal requirements of each Mexican state and municipal government, too.

Bottom line? As long as the buyer understands that Mexican cars can be driven into, but not imported permanently to, the U.S. and Canada, should an ex-pat ever decide to return permanently north of the border, then there might be an overall, modest advantage to buying a Mexican car, new or used.

[RVGRINGO]

On emissions: You may be making some assumptions based on years past. Mexico city has very strict emissions laws and inspections, as does Jalisco and other states. Annual emission testing is required here in Jalisco.
I removed errors you posted regarding the 'importada temporal'. It need not be renewed for as long as your immigration status remains legal and the vehicle remains in Mexico. Should you drive out of Mexico, you must have the sticker removed by Aduana, obtain a receipt and get a new one when/if you return that vehicle to Mexico. This now applies for even a short shopping foray across the border and is starting to be enforced.

[G.Bledsoe]

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

On emissions: You may be making some assumptions based on years past. Mexico city has very strict emissions laws and inspections, as does Jalisco and other states. Annual emission testing is required here in Jalisco.
I removed errors you posted regarding the 'importada temporal'. It need not be renewed for as long as your immigration status remains legal and the vehicle remains in Mexico. Should you drive out of Mexico, you must have the sticker removed by Aduana, obtain a receipt and get a new one when/if you return that vehicle to Mexico. This now applies for even a short shopping foray across the border and is starting to be enforced.

I did not post anything containing errors about the importada temporal. I know the process inside and out.

And as I explained in an earlier post, I just had it confirmed in writing by the Mexican Government that you may re-enter the county multiple times on a tempory importation permit. Gads! Why stand in line twice at the border and pay $35 for a quick shopping trip?

Finally, how could your version of things it ever be enforced when Aduanas does not check your car when you exit the country for a quick shopping trip?

I have tried to be polite, but I believe you are substituting your personal views for the actual law. I say, let people know the law -- along with the risks and advantages -- and let them decide.

Yes, there is more tension along the border and the Mexican customs people are less willing to cut us much slack, but if you show them your green tremporary import permit, passport, and have the sticker on your car at the 30 KM checkpoint, they will let you drive back into the country.

And do not worry, a Mexican car will never pass smog in California in our lifetime.

[RVGRINGO]

Please share the written government document that permits multiple border crossings without removal of the 'importada temporal'. It is my understanding that removal is required and always has been, but seldom enforced. In any case, it is a good idea to have it removed. There are several folks who will recount their horror stories of what happens if your car is stolen or wrecked with the sticker but outside of Mexico; bad enough inside of Mexico.

You are right on the California smog tests but cars from other parts of the USA won't pass it either. I don't think we were discussing California, but the USA in general. The differences are sometimes silly: For example, the right mirror must be changed to one with the etched warning of size differences and the speedometer must be changed to read MPH instead of KPH (stickers won't do), sometimes signal lights must be changed from one color to another, etc. It all does gets pretty expensive to import a car built in Mexico or imported there from Europe or Asia, to the USA and in most cases it just isn't practical.

[G.Bledsoe]

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

Please share the written government document that permits multiple border crossings without removal of the 'importada temporal'. It is my understanding that removal is required and always has been, but seldom enforced. In any case, it is a good idea to have it removed. There are several folks who will recount their horror stories of what happens if your car is stolen or wrecked with the sticker but outside of Mexico; bad enough inside of Mexico.

You are right on the California smog tests but cars from other parts of the USA won't pass it either. I don't think we were discussing California, but the USA in general. The differences are sometimes silly: For example, the right mirror must be changed to one with the etched warning of size differences and the speedometer must be changed to read MPH instead of KPH (stickers won't do), sometimes signal lights must be changed from one color to another, etc. It all does gets pretty expensive to import a car built in Mexico or imported there from Europe or Asia, to the USA and in most cases it just isn't practical.

To verify the multiple use concept for the temporary import vehicle permits, I emailed the offices of-the Banjercito in Mexico City. They responded by email the next day, affirming that one may cross the border multiple times with the same permit and car sticker; that it does have to be removed and surrendered when one leaves Mexico for a day or a week or two. Their email address can be found at banjercito.com.mx. (I have done this many, many times, so I am very familar with the process.)

As we have discussed before, the temporary import permit is linked to the car owner's FM-T, or FM-2/3 visa. The import permit is valid as long as the visa is valid, and is automatically renewed when one's visa is renewed. (When you drive into the country and get the FM-T visa, you may get it for up to six months. If you do that, your permit will be valid for six months, and you can use it for multiple exits and entries.)

I agree that tourists who leave Mexico should stop at the border to surrender their import permit and sticker (for which they will be given a receipt). I always advice my racing buddies to surrender their car documents at the border, including their FM-T visas.

And I also understand that, if someone has a FM-2/3 visa and heads north for an extended stay, it might be better to surrender their car permit and sticker at the border, in case the vehicle is in a wreck or destroyed.

But I did find out that there is a form and a procedure, involving the U.S. police, to clear a import permit from your record if your car is wrecked, so you may bring a replacement vehicle into Mexico. That process involves the Mexican Customs offices in Mexico City, who must authroize the Banjercito to clear the old permit from your record.

We certainly agree that Mexico is making progress in controlling car and truck pollution, and that we should support their efforts.

Everyone in the US and Candada should be aware that you may obtain the temporary import permits for your vehicles by the internet and express mail by going to www.bancito.com.mx. They can do it in ten days for only $55.

[HolyMole]

[QUOTE=G.Bledsoe;169242]To verify the multiple use concept for the temporary import vehicle permits, I emailed the offices of-the Banjercito in Mexico City. They responded by email the next day, affirming that one may cross the border multiple times with the same permit and car sticker; that it does have to be removed and surrendered when one leaves Mexico for a day or a week or two. Their email address can be found at banjercito.com.mx. (I have done this many, many times, so I am very familar with the process.)

Now I'm REALLY confused.

Should the above quote have read: ".......it does NOT have to be removed......." ?

Otherwise, the paragraph supports RVGRINGO's insistence that the sticker must be removed every time one's vehicle leaves Mexico.

And G. Bledsoe adding "....when one leaves Mexico for a day or a week or two" just adds to the confusion. From a Mexican customs/immigration/legal standpoint, the amount of time one intends to spend with their vehicle outside Mexico is immaterial.

So, bottom line, while everyone seems to agree that the temporary vehicle import permit is valid for as long as one's visa is valid,......be it an FMT, FM3 or FM2, (even though some Mexican police are apparently unaware or misinformed of this fact), .....it sounds like one is required to surrender their temporary vehicle import sticker every time one's vehicle leaves Mexico.....which presumably means that one will have to obtain a "new" sticker ....with the attendant fees....on re-entering Mexico.....even if that re-entry occurs during the period when one's visa is still valid.

Have I got it right?

[RVGRINGO]

That is exactly as I understand it; get the sticker removed by Aduana every time you exit Mexico. The following is from the government's customs website:
Cuando regrese al extranjero, cancele su permiso:
• En los Módulos CIITEV de las aduanas de la frontera norte de México
When you return abroad, cancel your permit:
At the CIITEV customs stations at the northern border of Mexico
Note: if you forget, you can go to the nearest Mexican Consulate in the USA and turn in your permit and get the receipt there.

[G.Bledsoe]

[quote=HolyMole;169542]

Originally Posted by G.Bledsoe

To verify the multiple use concept for the temporary import vehicle permits, I emailed the offices of-the Banjercito in Mexico City. They responded by email the next day, affirming that one may cross the border multiple times with the same permit and car sticker; that it does have to be removed and surrendered when one leaves Mexico for a day or a week or two. Their email address can be found at banjercito.com.mx. (I have done this many, many times, so I am very familar with the process.)

Now I'm REALLY confused.

Should the above quote have read: ".......it does NOT have to be removed......." ?

Otherwise, the paragraph supports RVGRINGO's insistence that the sticker must be removed every time one's vehicle leaves Mexico.

And G. Bledsoe adding "....when one leaves Mexico for a day or a week or two" just adds to the confusion. From a Mexican customs/immigration/legal standpoint, the amount of time one intends to spend with their vehicle outside Mexico is immaterial.

So, bottom line, while everyone seems to agree that the temporary vehicle import permit is valid for as long as one's visa is valid,......be it an FMT, FM3 or FM2, (even though some Mexican police are apparently unaware or misinformed of this fact), .....it sounds like one is required to surrender their temporary vehicle import sticker every time one's vehicle leaves Mexico.....which presumably means that one will have to obtain a "new" sticker ....with the attendant fees....on re-entering Mexico.....even if that re-entry occurs during the period when one's visa is still valid.

Have I got it right?

You are correct, the sentence above should have read, "it (the sticker) does NOT have to be removed."

Indeed, the permit and sticker are valid as long as your visa is valid.

So, LEGALLY there is no need to cancel the import permit and sticker each time you leave Mexico.

However, if you are returning to the US to buy a new car, you should cancel the permit and have them pull the sticker off before you leave. Then you can register your new car with the Banjercito and receive a new permit when you return.

Also, anyone with a tourist visa (FM-T) should cancel the permit and sticker when you leave the country and do not intend to return until after your visa expires. (You should also cancel your tourist visa when you leave the country, too. This is a new wrinkle and I am not sure of its implications.)

There is another practical consideration raised by RVGRINGO. If you were returning to the USA or Canada for an extended period of time, say for a long trip or vacation, you might want to cancel the permit and sticker at the border to avoid any problem if your car is stolen or destroyed. However, even this situation can be handled by obtaining a form from the Mexican Customs office and then having your local police sign it -- attesting to the fact that your car has been stolen or destroyed, or otherwise returned to the US or Canada.

I have many friends in San Miguel de Allende with FM-2/3 visas and temporary import permits who drive back into Texas several times a year, and as far as I know, they do not return or cancel their permits.

Remember to get a receipt at the border when you cancel your permit and bring it with you the next time you drive into Mexico and plan to get a new permit.

Bottom line -- there is no legal requirement that you must cancel your temporary vehicle import permit and windshield sticker each time you leave the country. However, as noted above, there are times when you should do it or might consider doing it for practical reasons.