Cars and Licenses

mayagoforth · #1 (**permalink**) 24th March 2009, 01:01 AM

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

RVGRINGO · #2 (**permalink**) 24th March 2009, 02:17 PM

You may drive any properly registered car in either Mexico or the USA with either a US or Mexican driver's license. In fact, we have both US and Mexican driver's licenses ourselves and also have a US plated vehicle as well as an Jalisco registered vehicle. It is actually easier to drive the Mexican car in the USA because there is no need to stop for an auto importation sticker and that is one less expense.
If stopped in the USA, show your Mexican license and your FM3. You might be less likely to get a ticket. In Mexico, we show the US license just in case they want to keep it. You can get a replacement for a 'lost license'. So, when in the USA, try to get another US license if you can.
Welcome to the forum. I hope you find it useful and that you, in turn, can pass on your experiences to others.

HolyMole · #3 (**permalink**) 24th March 2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

You may drive any properly registered car in either Mexico or the USA with either a US or Mexican driver's license. In fact, we have both US and Mexican driver's licenses ourselves and also have a US plated vehicle as well as an Jalisco registered vehicle. It is actually easier to drive the Mexican car in the USA because there is no need to stop for an auto importation sticker and that is one less expense.
If stopped in the USA, show your Mexican license and your FM3. You might be less likely to get a ticket. In Mexico, we show the US license just in case they want to keep it. You can get a replacement for a 'lost license'. So, when in the USA, try to get another US license if you can.......

If an expat resides full-time in Mexico:

-----what address do you show on your US (or Canadian) driver's license?
-----how do you get US (or Canadian) tags/plates/registration on a car if you
don't reside in the US or Canada?

f3drivr · #4 (**permalink**) 24th March 2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

You may drive any properly registered car in either Mexico or the USA with either a US or Mexican driver's license. In fact, we have both US and Mexican driver's licenses ourselves and also have a US plated vehicle as well as an Jalisco registered vehicle. It is actually easier to drive the Mexican car in the USA because there is no need to stop for an auto importation sticker and that is one less expense.
If stopped in the USA, show your Mexican license and your FM3. You might be less likely to get a ticket. In Mexico, we show the US license just in case they want to keep it. You can get a replacement for a 'lost license'. So, when in the USA, try to get another US license if you can.
Welcome to the forum. I hope you find it useful and that you, in turn, can pass on your experiences to others.

How expensive is the insurance to drive your Mexican Plated Vehicle NOB?

RVGRINGO · #5 (**permalink**) 24th March 2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HolyMole

If an expat resides full-time in Mexico:

-----what address do you show on your US (or Canadian) driver's license?
-----how do you get US (or Canadian) tags/plates/registration on a car if you
don't reside in the US or Canada?

We have Texas driver's licenses. That state allows you to have a mailing address separate from your actual address. So, we actually have a TX license with our Mexican address; believe it or not.
There are ways to get certain counties in certain states to issue a title and registration for a vehicle not used in that state, and for an owner with a US Social Security number and an address in another state. We do have a US address through a mail forwarding service. We just got renewal stickers last week, as a matter of fact.

RVGRINGO · #6 (**permalink**) 24th March 2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f3drivr

How expensive is the insurance to drive your Mexican Plated Vehicle NOB?

It has been a couple of years since we did that, but it was about $95 USD for a short term liability policy; one or two months, if my memory is accurate. It would be the same for our US plated vehicle, since it only carries Mexican insurance (full coverage) and hasn't been out of Mexico for five years.

makaloco · #7 (**permalink**) 26th March 2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayagoforth

I want to buy a new car, but apparently buying a MX car is not recommended.

Why would buying a Mexican car not be recommended? It seems like the best way to go for your situation (not planning to live in the US) and is pretty hassle-free.

RVGRINGO · #8 (**permalink**) 26th March 2009, 08:55 PM

At present, the insurance and taxes* on a car from the US are less than a Mexican vehicle. However, if intending to become inmigrado or naturalized, one would have to remove that foreign car from Mexico and purchase a Mexican vehicle. That might entail a loss; at least an inconvenience.
*10% 'tenencia' tax on new cars for ten years, payable each year on the current value.
On the other hand, one could purchase a ten year old Mexican car in good condition, or restorable, and avoid that tax entirely. I think that it does not apply to pick-up trucks, so that is an option for a new vehicle; perhaps a small four door short bed pick-up as a good all purpose vehicle.

makaloco · #9 (**permalink**) 26th March 2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

You may drive any properly registered car in either Mexico or the USA with either a US or Mexican driver's license.

This must vary by location, because here (La Paz, BCS) a foreign driver's license can be used only to drive a car plated in the same country. The restriction is written in the "ley de tránsito". Don't know about driving a foreign-plated car with a Mexican license.

RVGRINGO · #10 (**permalink**) 27th March 2009, 12:32 AM

You make a very good point, Macaloco. We have used the term 'Mexican driver's license' or 'US driver's license' too loosely; such things don't actually exist. Licenses are issued by individual states in both the US and Mexico. As such, you are correct in indicating that one should look to the laws of the state in question for details which may differ.
Thanks for pointing that out.