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  2. Cars in Mexico 22

Cars in Mexico 22

Driving in Mexico is pretty easy. There are a large number of toll roads in Mexico which often run alongside the free roads and you have to pay.

Caminos y Puentes Federales

  • Site https://www.gob.mx/capufe/
Renting a vehicle in Mexico

Renting a vehicle in Mexico

The minimum age for driving in Mexico is 18. 

Renting a vehicle in Mexico could be a good option if you want to drive freely from region to region or city to city without worrying about public transportation schedules.

-Drivers are required to be at least 25 years of age. Some requirements may apply for drivers up to 21 years of age who have had a driver’s license for over 2 years.

-Driver’s licenses from other countries are widely accepted in Mexico. Otherwise, you will need to get an International Driver’s License before coming to Mexico.

-The driver will need to make a security deposit.

When renting a car online, be sure that the prices include insurance or at least ask how much it will be once you arrive at the rental car company. 

In Mexico, it is mandatory to have car insurance. In case of an accident, a driver without car insurance may be arrested and held until the situation is settled in Court.

There are different types of insurance:

  • Supplemental Liability Insurance
  • Personal Accident Insurance 
  • Loss Damage Waiver or Collision Damage Waiver

The maximum speed limit on a Mexican highway is 110 Km/h.

You can find speed limits for cars in Mexico as follows: 

  • Main roads: up to 70 Km/h
  • Local roads: up to 40 Km/h
  • School, hospital, and pedestrian zones: up to 20 Km/h

Speed humps can be a major hazard for drivers. Usually, these are not sign-posted.

Parking

Cars are not allowed to park where signs prohibit it. Double-parking, or parking on sidewalks and in front of access areas designed for people with disabilities is not permitted and you can be fined if you do it.

Highways

Highway quality is generally good in Mexico. The country has built a great road infrastructure in an effort to connect the country’s main towns and cities.

Car accidents in Mexico

Car accidents in Mexico

Being involved in a car accident in Mexico can be a stressful situation when you are a foreigner and you do not have knowledge in the procedures to be followed it. In case it happens please take the following considerations.

If you bring a car into Mexico from abroad:

  1. You should buy an insurance policy in Mexico, and keep copies of the insurance with you at all times while driving.
  2. Having adequate insurance coverage in Mexico assures that in case of an accident the financial and legal consequences are kept to a minimum. In Mexico you need insurance to prove financial ability to pay for any damages, in case you do not have it, you can be taken to jail until a bond is posted to guarantee payment of damages. An insurance from USA or Canada | other country, are not sufficient to satisfy Mexico's legal requirement of third-party liability coverage.

  3. File your claim while your physical presence in Mexico. Failure to do so may result in the denial of your claim.

 

  • Remain as calm as possible and check if anyone is injured or hurt, provide support if possible.
  • Call 911 Mexico's National emergency phone number, for further assistance and to report the accident. You will need the police report for filing claims with your insurance company.
  • Do not move the vehicles unless instructed to do so by authorities.
  • Call the number on your insurance policy to report the accident. Even though there is only property damage caused by the accident you still need to call your insurance agent and the police report, also request legal assistance if necessary. They will send an insurance adjuster out to assist and file reports for you. Request bilingual assistance if needed.
  • Keep your driver's license, passport, FMM (or visa), vehicle registration, and proof of insurance with you while drive and be ready to show it to authorities when they arrive on the scene of the accident.
  • Do not sign anything or agree to any claims of fault or payments without consulting your insurance adjuster. Do not settle the claims on a "handshake" deal. Do not pay anything without first consulting with your insurance company.

If your car becomes damaged in an accident to a point where it can no longer be driven, then the insurance company will arrange for a tow-truck to take you and your vehicle to the nearest repair center in Mexico. Your insurer company will not pay to tow your vehicle back to the U.S. | Canada | other country for repair.

If you’re involved in a more serious accident where someone is injured and medical attention is needed, the insurance help-line agent can call the appropriate emergency services to attend the scene if that has not been done already.

If the police become involved, and/or someone is killed as a result of the accident, you and the other drivers present may be arrested until fault is determined and compensation arrangements are agreed. Mexican insurance coverage can provide the legal support you will need to post bail-bond to be released while investigations take place and cover third party liability if it’s determined that you were at fault. You may also consider calling your home country consulate to report the situation.

CAPUFE: 074

Guardia Nacional: 088

Ángeles Verdes: 078

Cruz Roja: 065

Emergencias a nivel Nacional: 911

Bringing Your Own Car to Mexico

Bringing Your Own Car to Mexico

If you drive a non-Mexican plated car across the border in the “Free Zone” which is an area of approximately 22 miles/35 km from the land border, you do not need to apply for or obtain a temporary import permit for your vehicle.

Foreigners are allowed to bring their vehicles into the country after applying for a Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit (TIP, Spanish).

All cross-border roads have guarded checkpoints, where people driving without Mexican license plates must purchase a temporary import permit for the vehicle. 

Foreign residents and those in Mexico with work permits holding temporary resident visas may bring one car (owned by them) into the country for the duration of their visas and subsequent visa extensions. If you are traveling with your spouse or adult children, they may register one car under their name.

You must apply for your temporary import permit for your foreign vehicle ahead of time or at the border crossing. You are not allowed to obtain it inside Mexico.

Applying Online

You can verify the steps to apply for the permit online at the Banjercito website, which is a national bank in Mexico. We highly recommend planning in order to apply for the permit at least 15 days before the date of your departure. 

Applying Via Mexican Consulates 

Permits may also be processed at Mexican consulates in person.

Applying In-Person at the Border Crossing

If you do not apply online or at a consulate, you can apply in-person with your vehicle at the Banjercito booths located at Mexican customs on the border or at seaports.

The Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit is valid for the visa period. If you are living in Mexico on a temporary resident visa status, your temporary vehicle import permit will be valid for as long as your visa is valid including any visa extensions. If you hold a permanent resident visa you cannot import your own vehicle using a temporary import permit as other immigration rules will apply.

Temporary Importation Permit of Foreign Vehicles:

Whether you enter to Mexico on a tourist visa (less than 180 days) or on a Temporary/Permanent Resident visa (more than 180 days), you need to apply for a Temporary Importation Permit for your vehicle.

For further information, please visit:

http://www.sat.gob.mx/aduanas/vehiculos/importacion_temporal/Paginas/aspectos_generales_ingles.aspx or  https://www.banjercito.com.mx/registroVehiculos/

E-mail: permisovehiculos@banjercito.com.mx

The definitive importation of foreign vehicles can only be done by the Mexican Customs.

For further information, please visit:

http://www.sat.gob.mx/aduanas/vehiculos/Paginas/default.aspx 

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