As you make plans for your road trip in Mexico, this article provides you with a checklist of insights, local knowledge and practical tips to help you properly plan and enjoy your journey across Mexico.

Insights about driving in Mexico

Our guides to Driving in Mexico and Auto Insurance for your journeys provide you with a raft of local knowledge and tips to help you get acquainted with the driving scene here including driving techniques, toll roads, breakdowns, military checkpoints, as well as dealing with accidents and insurance claims.

Bringing your car to Mexico

You need to organize some paperwork when you plan to drive your US or Canadian-plated car to Mexico:

• How to bring a foreign-plated car to Mexico
• Acquiring a Temporary Import Permit for your foreign-plated car

Auto insurance for your road trip in Mexico

Your US or Canadian auto insurance policy won’t cover you for third party liability in Mexico.  You need to purchase a special policy to ensure your journey is properly covered and that you, your car and belongings are protected in case of an accident or other mishap:

• Learn about auto insurance for road trips across Mexico
• Get an online quote for Mexico auto insurance with MexPro

Helpful articles

For additional insights about driving in Mexico, connect to these additional articles and resources here in Mexperience

• Guide to Mexican Street Speak
• Military checkpoints in Mexico
• Dealing with car accidents in Mexico
• Toll road or freeway?

In a related article, we explained the procedures for bringing a foreign-plated vehicle to Mexico.  This article provides a detailed list of FAQs about an essential document you need to obtain when you drive your vehicle to Mexico: a Temporary Import Permit, or TIP.

What is a vehicle Temporary Import Permit (TIP)?

A TIP is legal document that allows a foreign-plated vehicle to be imported to and driven in Mexico for a defined period of time.  The vehicle must be exported (driven out of Mexico) before the TIP’s expiry date.  If you fail to export the vehicle and surrender/cancel the TIP, you will lose your deposit, you will not be allowed to import another vehicle in future; and you can also face fines and have your vehicle confiscated.

Who needs a TIP?

Anyone who wants to bring a foreign-plated vehicle into Mexico and drive outside of the Free Zones.

The Free Zones are:

• within 25km of the land border;
• the entire Baja California peninsula;
• a defined area in the northern state of Sonora; and,
• the southern state of Quintana Roo.

If you intend to drive your car beyond the 25km border zone (checkpoints exist), or anywhere outside of a defined Free Zone, you must have a TIP to avoid fines and confiscation of the vehicle.

Who can apply for a TIP?

Visitors entering Mexico under the auspice of a Visitor permit (FMM) and holders of a Residente Temporal residency visa/card may apply for a TIP.

Who issues the TIP?

Temporary Import Permits for foreign-plated vehicles are issued only by Banjercito, and by a limited number of Mexican Consulates (see below) who act as facilitators for Banjercito.  No other companies or agencies are authorized to issue the TIP and you should never deal with anyone other than Banjercito when buying a TIP.

How do I buy a TIP?

You can purchase a TIP in advance online, or at certain Mexican Consulates in the US, or you can purchase a TIP in person at a Banjercito office situated at major land crossing points.  The TIP carries an administrative fee, and you’ll also be required to leave a deposit. (The size of the deposit varies depending on the age of the vehicle.)  You will lose the deposit if you fail to export (drive out) the vehicle from Mexico before the TIP’s expiry date, or violate any other rules related to the TIP.

How long is a TIP valid for?

A TIP is tied to your immigration document and its expiry date will be tied to the expiry date on your immigration document.

Entering with a Visitor Permit: If you enter Mexico under the auspice of a FMM (Visitor Permit) this is valid for a maximum of 180 calendar days from the date of your entry to Mexico.

Entering with a Residency Card: If you enter Mexico with your foreign plated vehicle under the auspice of a Residente Temporal card, the TIP will be valid for as long as the temporary residency status remains current.

Entering with a Residency Visa Sticker: See the section below titled: How does a TIP work when I arrive in Mexico with a Residente Temporal Visa? that describes the procedure involved if you bring a foreign plated vehicle to Mexico when you have a Residente Temporal sticker in your passport, and have not exchanged that for a residency card yet.

How many vehicles can I import to Mexico using a TIP?

Only one vehicle can be imported into Mexico per person. If you are traveling with your spouse or adult child (18 years or older), they may each register one car in their name.

There is one exception to the one-person, one-car rule: If you tow a car behind your RV, there is no need for second person to be traveling with you; but you must show proof of ownership for both vehicles, and both vehicles must be taken out of the country together when you leave.

A trailer does not count as a vehicle, but you need to show ownership of it and it must be exported with the vehicle towing it when you leave Mexico.

Motorcycles, ATVs, etc. If you are towing or carrying other single passenger motorized vehicles, these may be registered with the car that is towing or carrying them. You must show proof of ownership of all vehicles and you can only bring up-to three single-passenger vehicles—one each for up to three passengers traveling in the main vehicle. All vehicles must be exported together when you leave Mexico.

Can I leave Mexico if I have a foreign-plated vehicle here with a TIP?

When you bring your foreign-plated vehicle to Mexico, your TIP’s expiry date will either be tied to a Visitor Permit (FMM) or to a Temporary Residency Permit.

Whether you your TIP is tied to a Visitor Permit (FMM) or your Residente Temporal permit, you can leave Mexico without your vehicle and the vehicle will remain legal in Mexico for so long as the TIP remains current (not past its expiry date).

The TIP’s expiry date is tied the expiry date of the Visitor Permit or Residente Temporal permit you used when you brought your car to Mexico with its TIP.

You can leave Mexico (e.g. fly out) using your Visitor Permit (or Residente Temporal permit) to exit the country; you can get a new Visitor Permit when you return, or use your Residente Temporal card to re-enter Mexico in the usual way.  However, the expiry date on your TIP will not change and you must drive the vehicle out of Mexico before the TIP expires.

If you don’t drive the vehicle out of Mexico before the TIP’s expiry date, the vehicle will become illegal in Mexico and:

• the insurance coverage will become invalid;
• your vehicle may be confiscated and impounded; and
• you will lose the deposit you paid to Banjercito.

The TIP’s expiry date is tied to the expiry date on the FMM you used when you first entered Mexico with your vehicle, or the expiration date of your temporary residency permit—cross check your TIP documentation for details.

What documentation is needed to get a TIP?

To apply for a TIP, you will need to be in possession of certain supporting documentation.  We recommend you carry two black-and-white copies of each of these documents when you drive to Mexico:

• A valid passport, or passport card;
• Your Mexican immigration permit: if you are visiting Mexico as a tourist this will be your FMM; if you are a resident, your Residente Temporal visa or card. Residente Permanente visa/card holders are not allowed apply for a TIP—see yellow box below;
• A non-Mexican driver’s license (with photo);
• Original and photocopy of the title and registration of the vehicle issued by a foreign authority in the applicant’s name. If the title or registration is in the name of a spouse, a marriage certificate must also be presented. Only the titled owner of the vehicle and/or their spouse can get a TIP;
• Proof of temporary Mexican auto insurance for the vehicle.

What if the vehicle is rented, leased, financed, or owned by a company?

If the vehicle you intend to drive into Mexico is not registered in yours or your spouse’s name, you will also need the following documentation to accompany your application:

Rented vehicles: If a rental car company allows you to drive one its vehicles into Mexico, you will need a notarized letter of permission from the rental car company.

Leased vehicles: If the vehicle under lease, you will need to show the lease contract and a notarized letter of permission from the leasing company.

Financed vehicles: If the vehicle is under a finance arrangement, you will need to show the credit contract and notarized letter of permission from the finance company giving permission for the car to be driven to Mexico.

Company car: If the vehicle is owned by a company (a company you own or a company you work for) you will need a notarized letter of permission (on headed paper) confirming the employment relationship and authorizing the employee to drive the vehicle into Mexico.

What is the TIP application procedure?

When you have your documentation gathered, you can begin to make the application for your vehicle’s TIP:

Where: You can apply online, or go to one of a defined list of Mexican Consulates in the US, or you can apply in-person a Banjercito office near one of the main land border crossings.

Declaration: You will be asked to sign a declaration, pledging to export the vehicle within the period for which the permit is valid and not disobey any other regulations related to the issuance of the TIP.

Payment: There is an administrative fee of around US$50 that can be paid with cash, or a non-Mexico issued credit card.  You cannot use a Mexico-issued credit card for this purchase; whether buying online or in-person.  The name on the card must match the name of the person on the TIP.

Deposit: In addition to the administrative fee, you will need to pay a deposit of between US$200 and US$400, depending on the age of the vehicle.  The deposit is refunded if the TIP is canceled/surrendered before its expiry date and no violations have taken place.  It can take some days or weeks for the refund to be returned to a credit card after cancelling/surrendering the TIP.

Where can I buy a vehicle TIP?

Buying Online

You can still obtain a TIP in-person at the border but applying for the TIP via the Banjercito Website will speed the process and avoid potentially long lines at the border.

Note: If you apply online, you must first get your FMM online (or have your Temporary Residency visa or card issued) before you obtain the TIP.  When you get your FMM online, you must stop at the border and get immigration (INM) to stamp/validate the document.  Carry a printed copy of the FMM (or passport stamp) and your receipt to show proof of payment when you do this.

When approved, you will receive your TIP by email.  Print out your TIP and receipt and keep the printed copies with you while driving in Mexico.  Keep and use the email version only as verification of your TIP approval.

Buying in person at the Land Border

Temporary import permits may be purchased at CIITEV offices located at Customs offices near various U.S./Mexico border locations in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.  Check beforehand that the crossing you use has a CIITEV office.  When you apply in person, Banjercito will send an email with your TIP and hand you a printed copy of the TIP and your receipt.  Keep the email and paper copies to hand at all times while driving in Mexico.

Buying a TIP at a Mexican Consulate

A limited number of Mexican Consulates in the United States offer a TIP-issuing service.  Although the Consulate acts as facilitator, it is Banjercito that issues the permit.  Consulates in the following US States offer TIPs (we recommend you contact them beforehand to ensure that their TIP issuing service is available):

• Arizona: Phoenix
• California: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Sacramento
• Colorado: Denver
• Illinois: Chicago
• New Mexico: Albuquerque
• Texas: Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston

How do I surrender and cancel my TIP when I drive out of Mexico?

A TIP must be cancelled and surrendered before its expiry date.

Once you have a TIP issued, the person whose name is on the register must drive the vehicle out of Mexico before the TIP’s expiry date and stop at the border to cancel/surrender the TIP.  This action notifies the Customs authority that you have exported the vehicle and complied with the rules.

If you do not stop at the land border and cancel/surrender your TIP (or forget), you will need to drive the vehicle back to a land border crossing to cancel the TIP.  You do not have to exit Mexico from the same port as you entered to cancel your TIP, but you must visit an approved Banjercito office to undertake the procedure.  Not all border crossings have a Banjercito office, check beforehand.

Your deposit will be refunded provided you have not overstayed in Mexico beyond the TIP’s expiry date and that you have not violated any conditions of the TIP.

What happens if I forget to surrender my TIP at the border?

You should always surrender your TIP, unless you plan to come back to Mexico in short order while the TIP remains current (not expired).

If you didn’t surrender your TIP before its expiry date, you will probably need to drive the same car back to a border crossing (it does not have to be the same one you entered through) and surrender it.

Some —but not many— Mexican consulates offer a ‘TIP Cancellation’ service. Contact your nearest Mexican consulate to ask if they do, or which one nearest to you does.

There are fees, penalties, and paperwork involved: it’s always best to surrender your TIP at the border.

What happens if I change from Residente Temporal to Residente Permanente while my foreign-plated car is in Mexico?

If your foreign plated vehicle is in Mexico when you exchange your temporary residency card for a permanent residency card you will need to export (drive the car out) from Mexico, unless the vehicle is, and will remain, inside one of the ‘Free Zones’ near the northern or southern border regions.

See How to bring your foreign-plated car to Mexico for more details about the options you have in this situation.

How does a TIP work when I arrive in Mexico with a Residente Temporal Visa?

There’s an additional procedure to take into account if you enter Mexico with a TIP and a Residente Temporal sticker in your passport. If you don’t undertake this procedure your car will not become illegal, but you will lose the deposit you left with Banjercito.

If you have been granted temporary residency in Mexico and have a Residente Temporal visa sticker in your passport (before you are issued the residency card) your TIP and FMM will have a 30 day limit documented, because this is the time frame you have to submit the paperwork to exchange your visa sticker for a residency card. If you already have a Residente Temporal card when you get your TIP this situation will not arise.

If you have the 30-day limit on your TIP, you need to go the immigration office nearest to your address in Mexico and process the paperwork for the exchange of your visa sticker for a residency card.  When you submit the paperwork, you will be given a printed receipt showing a NUT (Número Único de Trámite) reference.

Before the 30-day expiry date, you then need to go to your nearest Customs (Aduana) office, and present them with a letter (in Spanish) explaining that your residency card is in the process of being prepared, and give them a photocopy of the NUT receipt, and a copy of your passport.

When your card is issued, you will need to also give them a photocopy (front and back) of the residency card.  If the office where you are making the residency visa to card exchange gives you your residency card within the 30-day window, you can undertake this procedure in one visit to the Customs office once you have your residency card, with a letter explaining that your residency card is issued, and enclosing a copy of it.

If however the immigration office takes longer than 30 days to issue your residency card, you will first need to submit the letter stating you have applied for your residency card, a copy of the NUT receipt and your passport, and then return with a copy of your residency card when when it’s issued to you.

Once you have submitted the copy of the residency card to the Customs (Aduana) office, your TIP expiry date will become aligned with your Residency Card’s expiry date.

What if my foreign-plated vehicle is lost, stolen, or I abandon it in Mexico?

If you abandon your foreign-plated car in Mexico, you’ll have to pay Aduana (Mexican Customs) 40% tax on the car’s value. This rule was brought-in some while ago to discourage foreigners from abandoning or selling their foreign-plated cars and telling Mexican Customs they were lost or stolen.

There is an established process in place that prevents someone who has legitimately had their vehicle stolen (or suffered total loss of the vehicle in an accident) from having to pay the fee.

Proper documentation will be required to get the TIP cancelled, so a police report has to be filed, plus special forms have to be filed with the Mexican Customs office, and the hired services of a Mexican Notary Public will be needed to formalize all the paperwork to cancel the TIP of a stolen car.

While the authorities cannot prevent you from leaving if you don’t pay the tax, failure to do so will forfeit your rights to import any other foreign-plated vehicle to Mexico in future.

Donating your vehicle to Mexican Customs

If you want to dispose of your car, there is a procedure whereby you can “donate” it to Mexican Customs; you can find more information about that here on the Mexican SAT web site.

Some important points to note about Mexico’s vehicle Temporary Import Permits

• TIPs cannot be extended or renewed. If you don’t export the vehicle (drive out) from Mexico before the expiry date and cancel the TIP, you lose the deposit you left at Banjercito and if you never cancel the TIP you’ll find it very difficult to import another foreign-plated vehicle to Mexico.
• Only holders of a visitor permit (FMM) and a Residente Temporal visa/card may obtain a TIP.
• Residente Permanente visa/card holders are not allowed apply for a TIP—also see the FAQ above about changing from temporary to permanent residency.
• When your TIP is issued, you can drive the car back-and-fro across the land border provided the TIP remains valid.
• You cannot cancel/surrender or obtain a new TIP anywhere within Mexico.
• You cannot cancel/surrender a TIP online. The person who is named on the TIP must present the vehicle physically at a Banjercito office at the border to undertake the cancellation procedure.
• If your vehicle has not been physically returned to a Banjercito office at the border and the TIP cancelled/surrendered, a new permit cannot be issued for that person or vehicle.
• Hybrid and Electric vehicles are not exempt from requiring a TIP if you intend to drive the vehicle beyond one of the Free Zones.
• Applications online are checked in real-time on US/Canadian vehicle databases.  Your application for a TIP will be denied if the vehicle has any restrictions marked, e.g. reported as stolen or as sent for scrap.

Is auto insurance compulsory when I drive a car into Mexico?

You will need to show evidence of having a valid temporary insurance policy when you apply for a TIP.  Whether you are driving in the Free Zones or going further into Mexico with a TIP, ensure your road trip is properly insured with a policy is valid in Mexico, especially for third party liabilities.

Learn more about driving in Mexico

Mexperience offers articles with insights to help you prepare for your road trip and drive confidently in Mexico.

• Bringing a foreign-plated vehicle to Mexico
• Insuring your vehicle for driving in Mexico
• Your Mexico road trip checklist
• Dealing with minor and major road accidents
• Latest articles about driving in Mexico
• Guide to auto insurance in Mexico

Summary of Mexico’s vehicle import rules

Here is a summary of the current rules.  Details about these rules are described below and on our related article about import permits.

• Foreign-plated vehicles can be brought to Mexico without an import permit, provided they remain within the 25km (15 mile) border zone and/or within one of the defined border area Free Zones.
• Foreign-plated vehicles can be driven beyond the 25km border zone and outside of the defined Free Zones by visitors and temporary residents for a defined period by using a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) that is associated with the vehicle.  The vehicle must be driven out of Mexico before this permit expires.
• Foreign-plated vehicles that stay within one of the defined ‘Free Zones’ near the northern and southern border areas do not need a TIP and can be brought to Mexico indefinitely—provided the vehicle remains legally registered in its home country.
• Permanent residents cannot apply for a TIP, and cannot bring a foreign-plated car to Mexico, except within the Free Zone, where a TIP is not required.

Obtaining a Temporary Import Permit (TIP)

If you intend to drive your vehicle beyond the 25km border zone (checkpoints exist), or anywhere outside of a defined Free Zone (see below), you must obtain a TIP before you cross into Mexico: they are not available anywhere inside Mexico, nor at Mexico’s interior checkpoints.

The defined Free Zones are:

• the entire Baja California peninsula; and
• a defined area in the state of Sonora; and
• the state of Quintana Roo.

If you drive your vehicle outside of one of the defined Free Zones without a TIP, the vehicle will become subject to confiscation.

Temporary Import Permits: Learn more about Temporary Import Permits for foreign-plated vehicles in Mexico.  They are acquired via the Banjercito website.

Visitors entering Mexico using FMM (Visitor Permit)

If you are visiting Mexico on a tourist/visitor permit, you can import your foreign-plated vehicle to Mexico using a Temporary Import Permit (TIP).

Your vehicle permit when you enter as a visitor will last for a maximum of 180 days and cannot be renewed or extended beyond this time period.

You must export the vehicle (drive it out of Mexico) before the vehicle’s temporary import permit expires. If you don’t, you’ll lose your deposit and your vehicle becomes liable to confiscation.

Entering Mexico with a Residente Temporal permit

Holders of Residente Temporal (with or without work privileges) and Residente Temporal Estudiante may import their car to Mexico using a Temporary Import Permit (TIP).

The vehicle’s permit expiry date will be aligned with your temporary residency card expiry date.  If you bring your vehicle to Mexico using a temporary residency sticker, your vehicle import permit will last for only 30 days and you’ll need to visit the local customs office when you get your residency card.  See the TIP FAQs for more details about this.

You must export the vehicle (drive it out of Mexico) before the vehicle’s temporary import permit expires. If you don’t, you’ll lose your deposit and your vehicle becomes liable to confiscation.

Learn more about routes to residency in Mexico.

Entering Mexico with a Residente Permanente permit

Residente Permanente visa or card holders are not allowed apply for a TIP, but can drive a foreign-plated car to Mexico without a TIP provided that the vehicle remains in one of the defined Free Zones.

If you are the holder of a Residente Permanente permit and want to bring your car to Mexico and drive it outside one of the defined Free Zones, you can go through a process to permanently import the car (get Mexican plates for it). If you want to formally import your car, we recommend you hire a Customs Broker to do this. (The import rules are complex and depend on the vehicle type, where it was manufactured, its age, etc.)

Foreign residents with Permanent Residency and foreign-plated cars in Mexico

Foreign residents with Residente Permante cannot keep a foreign plated car in Mexico outside of the defined Free Zones.  If you:

• have a foreign-plated car in Mexico now; and
• live and/or drive the car outside one of the defined Free Zones (see previous section); and
• change your immigration status from Residente Temporal to Residente Permanente; then
• you will need to make a choice about what do to with your foreign-plated vehicle, for example:

Export the car permanently – Take the car out of Mexico (crossing the border into the US or Belize) – see also “Safe Return” procedure, below.

Export and then re-import the car using a Customs Broker – If you exchange your temporary residency for permanent residency, and want to keep your current (foreign plated) vehicle for use in Mexico, you will need to drive the car out of Mexico (see “safe return” procedure, below), and then formally re-import it. There is a process to legally import a car by paying the relevant duties and import taxes and getting Mexican plates for the vehicle.  You’ll need a Customs Broker to assist you with this process.

Export the car and sell it to a person with a Residente Temporal permit – If you know a foreigner with a Residente Temporal permit who wants to buy your car, you can export it, sell it to them, and they can re-import it using their Residente Temporal permit.  Note that the car must be exported to make this transfer, it cannot be done within Mexico.

Export the car by sea – In some circumstances, export of your car on a sea vessel might be a viable option. You’ll need a customs broker to help you with the process. As a rule of thumb, shipping fees to the US range from $1,000-$1,500, which might be worth it if your vehicle is particularly valuable.

‘Safe Return’ Procedure: If your vehicle is currently “illegal” (or will become illegal when you switch from Residente Temporal to Residente Permanente), and you want to take the car out of the country, you can apply for a “Retorno Seguro” permit from SAT, which gives you five days to drive the car out of the country (to the USA or to Belize).

Defined ‘Free Zone’ rules for Sonora, the Baja California peninsula, and the state of Quintana Roo

Sonora: There is no need to apply for a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) if you plan to use your vehicle within the State of Sonora’s “Free Zone” which includes the popular cities of Agua Prieta, Bahia de Kino, Caborca, Guaymas, Hermosillo, Magdalena, Nogales, Puerto Peñasco, San Carlos, and Santa Ana (green area on map, click/tap here for full size version). If you plan to travel outside of the Free Zone and remain within the state you can get a “Sonora Only” permit.  If you intend to drive the vehicle beyond the free zone / Sonora state you will need to apply for a TIP.

Baja Peninsula: Foreign-plated vehicles driven into the states of Baja California and Baja California Sur do not require a Temporary Import Permit (TIP).  However, your US or Canadian car plates must be valid and any stickers must be kept current while the vehicle is on the Baja peninsula. If you take your car from La Paz to the Mexican mainland (by ferry) you will become subject to the car import rules described above.

Qunitana Roo: If you’re driving from Belize into Mexico and remain within the state boundary of Quintana Roo, you do not need to obtain Temporary Import Permit (TIP). However, if you plan to drive anywhere outside of the state, it’s important to have a valid TIP to avoid problems and possible confiscation of your vehicle.

Entry and exit ports

When your foreign-plated vehicle has a TIP, you don’t necessarily have to exit Mexico through the same port that you entered.  For example, you can import the car at the US border and export it through Belize, or you could enter through Nogales and exit through Laredo, etc.

Lost, stolen, or abandoned foreign-plated vehicles

If you abandon your foreign-plated car in Mexico, you’ll have to pay Aduana (Mexican Customs) 40% tax on the car’s value. This rule was brought-in some while ago to discourage foreigners from abandoning or selling their foreign-plated cars and telling Mexican Customs they were lost or stolen.

There is an established process in place that prevents someone who has legitimately had their vehicle stolen (or suffered total loss of the vehicle in an accident) from having to pay the fee. Proper documentation will be required to get the TIP cancelled, so a police report has to be filed, plus special forms have to be filed with the Mexican Customs office, and the hired services of a Mexican Notary Public will be needed to formalize all the paperwork to cancel the TIP of a stolen car.  While the authorities cannot prevent you from leaving if you don’t pay the tax, failure to do so will forfeit your rights to import any other foreign-plated vehicle to Mexico in future.

Donating your vehicle to Mexican Customs

If you want to dispose of your car, there is a procedure whereby you can “donate” it to Mexican Customs; you can find more information about that here on the Mexican SAT web site.

Learn more about driving in Mexico

Mexperience offers articles with insights to help you prepare for your road trip and drive confidently in Mexico.

• Getting a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for your vehicle
• Insuring your vehicle for driving in Mexico
• Your Mexico road trip checklist
• Dealing with minor and major road accidents
• Latest articles about driving in Mexico
• Guide to auto insurance in Mexico

Considerations for a car-free lifestyle in Mexico

If you have become tired of car dependency and have a lifestyle that doesn’t demand regular use of a privately-owned car, then it’s worth considering locations in Mexico which better lend themselves to using public transport.

For example, the centers of many of Mexico’s traditional colonial cities like San Miguel Allende and Guanajuato are characterized by narrow, sometimes cobbled, streets which don’t lend themselves too well to regular driving, and so walking or taking a local taxi are viable alternatives.

Other places in Mexico, like Nuevo Vallarta and Aguascalientes, are far more spread-out so owning a car is more convenient —and perhaps essential— in these types of places.

Car costs versus public transport

People working independently or retiring to Mexico seeking simpler lifestyles have come to learn that with some adjustments to their daily routines, they can get-by without owning a vehicle here as their lifestyles can be more easily adjusted to cope without regular use of a car.

If you work from home, or if you’re retired and don’t need a car every day, you could find that adding-up the cost of using taxis over a year may amount to less than the cost of buying and running a car. If you need a car for a weekend get-away, or a long road trip, car rental is readily available in Mexico.

Local and intercity bus services

Bus services (local and intercity buses) are plentiful, and relatively inexpensive. If you live in Mexico City or Monterrey, you could also make use of the metro train system to get around.

Many cities have introduced ‘Metro Buses’ which are special lanes reserved exclusively for bus routes making those journeys faster than battling through traffic congestion which is increasingly common in urban areas.  If you’re not keen on using buses or metro trains, there is another alternative: local taxis…

Affordable local taxi cabs

Local taxi journeys, for example from your home into town and back, can cost just a few dollars, and local taxi firms will send a cab to pick you up from your home, office, a restaurant, supermarket, or even a street corner if you telephone them (some even have WhatsApp accounts so you can text your request).

App-Cab services are also popular here, and Uber and DiDi have expanded across key towns and cities throughout Mexico, giving easy and direct access to a car and a driver whenever you need it if you live in one of the places served by these firms.

Shopping without a car

Shopping in Mexico without your own car can be less convenient in some circumstances, especially if you live in an urban area and shop regularly at modern supermarkets situated out-of-town; but it is do-able.

If you choose to live in a smaller town, and you’re close to the center or near local shopping centers, you might walk or cycle more as local amenities tend to be grouped close together, and a taxi can carry you on longer journeys, or to bring you back home from shopping trips—bags and all.

Most modern supermarkets have a taxi rank (sitio) situated at the store’s car park, or on a street adjacent.  You can also hail an App Cab (e.g. Uber) from a supermarket.

Some supermarkets in larger Mexican cities now offer home delivery, and in some smaller provincial towns you can phone a local taxi firm and ask them to pick-up groceries or other goods from local stores or markets and deliver them to your home.

Running your own car in Mexico

Some foreign residents in Mexico have lifestyles that make car ownership necessary.  For example, they might live far outside of the town center, or in a rural area off-the-beaten track, or they might have regular commitments like a work commute, or taking and picking-up children to a school, as well other extracurricular activities.

Running your own car is convenient and there’s no denying that it offers a degree of freedom and flexibility that no other mode of transport (even taxis) can directly replace—although it’s surprising how many people living here arrived being fed-up with car dependency and prefer being driven around in taxis when they need transport, and take intercity buses or flights for longer trips when they are visiting friends, going to meet clients, or taking a vacation.

Car costs and maintenance

If you enjoy running your own car, you’ll find that Mexico offers plenty of infrastructure and services for car-owners.

The cost of running a car in Mexico is generally lower than in the US, Canada, and Europe, but costs are rising (including the cost of gasoline) and you can expect your private car to be significant a line-item on your annual budget.  You can learn more about driving in Mexico and the cost of car ownership on our guide to living costs in Mexico.

If you’re contemplating buying a car on credit in Mexico, be aware that car financing costs are likely to be considerably higher here than you may be used to in your home country (check details with your bank or car dealership) and any savings you enjoy in running costs might be outweighed by the higher repayment costs.

Keeping a foreign-plated car in Mexico

Foreign residents who plan to bring a foreign-plated vehicle to Mexico should read this article, as there are various requirements to comply with and, under the current rules, the type of residency permit you hold determines whether you can keep a foreign-plated car in Mexico.

Whether you bring a foreign-plated car with you, or buy a Mexican-plated car locally, you’ll need to get adequate car insurance for the vehicle.  Learn more about getting insured when you’re driving in Mexico.

Making a choice based on your needs

Everybody’s lifestyle situation is slightly different, and it might be that you begin living in Mexico without a car and later realize that you need one—or vice-versa.

If your lifestyle doesn’t demand the regular use of a car, you’ll be able to reduce your annual expenditures and many foreign residents in this situation find that they come to value public transport as a practical means of getting around.

If you’re interested in exploring ways to reduce complexity in your lifestyle, you can learn more about simplifying your lifestyle in Mexico here on Mexperience.

Our guides to Transport in Mexico enable you to get a good understanding of the extensive transport options available to you when you’re in Mexico and guide to the Cost of Living in Mexico, which is updated annually, will help you to create a budget based on your individual lifestyle choices.

Can I cancel my US or Canadian auto insurance while I’m in Mexico?

Some people who drive their foreign-plated cars to Mexico and intend to stay for extended periods —or  live here for part of the year— ask us if they are able to cancel their US or Canadian insurance policy while their Mexican auto insurance policy is in force.

The answer is that you need to keep enough insurance coverage in place to maintain the vehicle’s legal registration in your home country.

For example, most US states require that you keep a policy in force that provides at least third-party liability coverage for the vehicle.  If you completely cancel your US insurance policy, most US states’ motor vehicle departments will automatically cancel the car registration, making the vehicle unregistered, and therefore illegal to drive in any country.

When you purchase Mexico auto insurance through our partner MexPro, the insurance remains valid for so long as the vehicle remains legal to drive—and this is true for other insurers, too.

Adjusting insurance coverage as you travel and back forth between Mexico, the US and Canada

Most people who intend to stay in Mexico longer term adjust their auto insurance coverage plan to maintain the minimum legal coverage requirements while the vehicle is situated in Mexico. (Precise requirements vary – check with the state your vehicle is registered with.) Then, whenever they drive back to the US or Canada, they call their agent and add the collision and comprehensive coverages back onto their home policy. So by working with your US or Canadian car insurance agent, you can reduce/increase the coverage limits as needed and end up paying less, while still maintaining insurance and keeping the vehicle registered/legal.

For full details about how to be properly covered on your next road trip in Mexico, connect to our Mexico Auto Insurance Guide, from which you can also link to live quotes and arrange your cover online through our partners, MexPro.

Learn more about driving in Mexico

Mexperience offers articles with insights to help you prepare for your road trip and drive confidently in Mexico.

• Insuring your vehicle for driving in Mexico
• Importing a foreign car or other vehicle to Mexico
• Getting a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for your vehicle
• Your Mexico road trip checklist
• Latest articles about driving in Mexico
• Guide to auto insurance in Mexico

How to identify toll roads on a map

You might not be able to travel your entire journey on a fast toll road. Online maps, including Google and Apple maps, indicate whether the road is tolled or not.

Tolled highways that run near federal roads (‘freeways’) are depicted with the letter ‘D’ after the road number.  For example, the road that runs between Mexico City and Cuernavaca is highway number 95 (a federal freeway) and the tolled road that runs ‘adjacent’ to this is 95D.

All tolled roads in Mexico follow this label protocol that enables you to choose the free road or its tolled equivalent, where a tolled highway is available on that route.

Mexico’s City’s elevated beltway

To ease Mexico’s city’s congestion, an elevated section of the capital’s beltway (Anillo Periférico) was constructed.

Colloquially referred to as the ‘Segundo Piso‘ (second floor), the project started in the early 2000s and has since been extended several times.  It now runs from the north of the capital (on the road to/from Querétaro) all the way around to the south, with an exit extension that connects with the tolled highway 95D south to Cuernavaca.

Drivers must pay a toll to use the elevated beltway using a TAG device (see section below) fitted in the vehicle’s windshield; no cash or cards are accepted at the automated ramp gateways.

Beltway toll charges depend on how far you travel along the beltway and are calculated automatically based your entry and exit gates.

Mexican toll road terminology

Routes which have toll roads connecting the destinations also have a free alternative road. When you’re driving in Mexico, read the signs and follow the route for the road type you want to use. Here is a list of the three key words to look out for:

LIBRE = Free Road: Free roads are less well maintained, often single lanes each way that will take you longer to travel across. However, to see some of the ‘off the beaten track’ places, you’ll need to avoid toll roads, as they often double as “bypass roads” (see term below). It’s recommended that you don’t take the free roads after dark.

CUOTA = Toll Road: Follow this sign if you want to take the toll road to the destination to which you are traveling. Note that the highway numbers are often the same, so you can be on the right highway number, heading in the right direction, but on a free (slower) road than you’d like to be. For toll roads, follow the signs that read “CUOTA” and/or have the letter “D’ after the highway number.

LIBRAMIENTO = Bypass: Sometimes, major free roads that connect big towns and cities will give you an option to take the “Libramiento” route. This is like a toll road (and sometimes it’s part of the toll road) which, for a fee, will enable you to bypass the smaller town city if you don’t want to go there, saving you the time and hassle of getting lost. Libramientos work in the same way as toll roads, and libramientos (especially around bigger cities) might be free to all road users along certain stretches of that road.

SEGUNDO PISO = Elevated Beltway: This is the colloquial term for Mexico City’s tolled elevated beltway, most of which runs above the anillo periferico, the capital’s long-standing free beltway.

See also: Guide to Mexican Street Speak

Toll road charges in Mexico

The total cost you’ll pay on a particular toll road will depend on how far you travel along it. You effectively pay for your journey in parts, with payment booths set out along the highway at major towns or turnoff points.

Every time you go through a toll booth, you pay an additional fee, that covers your cost to the next toll/exit booth. Charges vary, depending on the route and how long the stretch of road is to the next major town or turnoff point.

Paying for tolls

When you cross a toll booth, you’ll need to pay the corresponding fee.  Fees vary and tolls tend to go up by gradual increments throughout the year.

Credit and debits cards

You cannot use any credit or debit cards to pay your toll at the booth.  However, you can use a credit or debit card to pay if it’s linked to a TAG device on your windshield (see next section).

Cash

You can pay tolls in cash, using Mexican pesos. Foreign currency is not accepted. Toll booths are ideal places to make change, if you need it.

TAG device on windshield

You can fit an electronic ‘tag’ to your vehicle’s windshield and pass-through toll booths (and/or access Mexico City’s elevated beltway) using the automated gates.  TAG device credit can be topped up using cash (paying at stores and other retail centers) or linked to a credit or debit card.  See next section for more details.

Payment tags for toll roads and Mexico City’s elevated beltway

If you are a frequent toll road user, it makes sense to purchase a TAG for your vehicle’s windshield. If you intend to use Mexico City’s elevated beltway, you must have a TAG to access that road system as cash and cards are not accepted at the automated ramp gateways.

There are two tags you can choose from: 

• TAG IAVE, which is administered by the agency that runs the toll roads; and
• the TAG TeleVia

Both TAGs work at toll booth gates across Mexico as well as allow access to Mexico City’s elevated beltway.

You can top-up your tag account at local participating stores and retail centers using cash or cards or register online to link your payment card details to your tag.  By linking your card with the TAG, your fees will be charged to the card as you cross through the gates; there is no need to ‘top-up’ and you don’t run out of credit as you travel (beyond your payment card’s limit).  Visit the websites above for details.

Learn more about driving in Mexico

Mexperience offers articles with insights to help you prepare for your road trip and drive confidently in Mexico.

• Insuring your vehicle for driving in Mexico
• Importing a foreign car or other vehicle to Mexico
• Getting a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for your vehicle
• Your Mexico road trip checklist
• Latest articles about driving in Mexico
• Guide to auto insurance in Mexico

Importing foreign-plated vehicles to Mexico

This section contains key questions and answers related to bringing a foreign-plated car or other vehicle to Mexico, with links to detailed information and helpful assistance services.

Learn more about driving in Mexico

Mexperience offers articles with insights to help you prepare for your road trip and drive confidently in Mexico.

• Importing a foreign car or other vehicle to Mexico
• Getting a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for your vehicle
• Insuring your vehicle for driving in Mexico
• Your Mexico road trip checklist
• Latest articles about driving in Mexico
• Guide to auto insurance in Mexico

However, even the best maintained vehicles can experience sudden failure when you’re on the road in Mexico and you’ll need to deal with the situation, whether you’re in the middle of a town or city or on a (remote) highway.  This article shares some practical tips and advice for dealing with vehicle breakdowns.

‘Angeles Verdes’ (Green Angels) on Mexico’s highways

On Mexico’s interstate highways, Angeles Verdes (Green Angels) patrol the roads, looking for broken down vehicles, and helping with minor repairs and, surprisingly frequently, selling fuel.

• They ride green-colored trucks (thus the name); sometimes it’s a tow truck, and will provide free help, although they will charge for fuel if you need it, as well as any car parts.
• They’ll arrange to tow you to the nearest town if the situation calls for that. It’s appropriate to tip the mechanic(s).
• Angeles Verdes can help with immediate repairs and fuel, but their service does not substitute the coverages offered by an insurance based roadside assistance plan—that, in addition to mechanical support can also include rental car provision while your vehicle is being repaired, and repatriation in the event your vehicle becomes undriveable.

Dealing with roadside breakdowns

Dealing with a vehicle breakdown in Mexico will depend on where you are and what cover you have in place to help you.

• There is no better coverage in a breakdown situation than to have a team of mechanics and recovery vehicles prepared to come to your aid when your vehicle fails in Mexico.
• We recommend that when you purchase auto insurance you buy the optional breakdown coverage and roadside assistance. This is especially helpful if you are on a remote highway and/or it’s nighttime.
• If you are in a large town or city when your car fails, someone may come to your aid to help you move the car to the edge of the road while you wait for breakdown assistance to arrive.
• If your car is rented and the rental agreement includes breakdown coverage, call the rental car agency and ask them to mobilize their breakdown service.
• If you are on a major highway, especially toll-roads, a patrolling vehicle from the Angeles Verdes might find you and help you (see note above).
• If you have roadside breakdown coverage as part of your auto insurance coverage, you can instead contact the insurance helpline and have assistance sent to directly your broken down vehicle.
• Note that cell phone coverage can be scarce on remote roads across Mexico; tolled highways have wired phones posted every few miles. If you are on a non-tolled highway, and there is no cell phone coverage, you may need to walk to find a cellphone signal or walk back to the nearest town or village to summon help.

Roadside breakdown and medical coverages

Good insurance brokers offer a comprehensive range of additional support services, which are optional, but are worth considering when you are driving in Mexico.  The two most important are:

Breakdown coverage

If your car breaks down while you’re driving in Mexico, roadside recovery will provide you with the essential support you need to get your car repaired and mitigate risks of becoming stranded.

Roadside assistance may include things like delivery of emergency fuel, towing services, dealing with flat or damaged tires, locksmith support, jumpstart assistance, and provision of lodging and a rental car while you wait for your vehicle to be repaired, and repatriation to your home country in the event of a write-off.

Medical assistance

a policy that provides medical coverage will provide round-the-clock medical assistance on your road trips, including in the event of a serious accident, land and air medical evacuation and coverages to support you and your travel companions, for example with accommodations and transport while you convalesce.

Arrange breakdown coverage

Mexperience’s auto insurance associate offers a comprehensive range of additional services that provide peace of mind when you’re taking a road trip in Mexico, including roadside breakdown and travel assistance, and medical coverages that can include medical evacuation.

Learn more about driving in Mexico

Mexperience offers articles with insights to help you prepare for your road trip and drive confidently in Mexico.

• Insuring your vehicle for driving in Mexico
• Importing a foreign car or other vehicle to Mexico
• Getting a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for your vehicle
• Your Mexico road trip checklist
• Latest articles about driving in Mexico
• Guide to auto insurance in Mexico

Driving on Mexico’s Freeways

Carreteras libres are typically local two-lane roads. They tend to be older and wander along the landscape through small towns and villages without sophisticated highway engineering. In rural areas especially, they are often marginally maintained, tend to be poorly marked, lack a shoulder (or have soft, unpaved shoulders) and they might also present driving challenges like potholes or farm animals wandering into the road. Then there is everyone’s favorite: topes—speed bumps, designed to control speed with bone-rattling effectiveness.

Although libres may sound like a challenge for the driver who is new to Mexico, you may eventually find a local libre that you like using simply because it is more scenic and interesting than a nearby autopista. You are going to find restaurants and fondas, shops of every flavor, old churches, schools, handcrafts, and tire repair shops. Everyday life in Mexico happens alongside the libres.

Autopistas – Mexico’s tolled highways

Across much of Mexico, the local freeways are shadowed by a system of super highways that are built and maintained under the auspice of CAPUFE (Caminos y Puentes Federales)—Mexico’s department of federal roads and bridges. These toll roads are typically either three lanes (one in either direction and a center lane reserved for passing in both directions) or four lanes with a median dividing each side.

Like many highways in the United States and Canada, autopistas are graded and straighter that free roads, they have safe shoulders, limited access and egress, and the signage is consistently clear and accurate. Autopistas offer periodic gas stations with restrooms and sometimes a coffee shop or mini-mart where travelers can seek passing refreshment.

If you travel any distance on an autopista, you will soon become familiar with the caseta or toll-booth. The tolls vary depending on the road and distance traveled, and if you are traveling long distances, the amounts can add-up so make sure you are traveling with adequate cash: ATMs are hard to find outside of urban areas, and not all casetas take bank cards. If you’re a frequent traveler on Mexico’s highways, you might consider purchasing an electronic ‘Tag-IAVE’ chip that’s affixed to your windscreen and deducts credit from your Tag-IAVE account balance or is linked to a credit card.

If you pay your toll in cash, you will be given a receipt, which you should keep for the duration of your journey. On the back of the receipt is the emergency number for CAPUFE.

Mechanical breakdowns on Mexico’s toll roads

If you have mechanical car trouble or see a hazard in the road, call the number and give them the nearest kilometer number; these are marked as small white signs like mile markers in the US. They may be able to send help in the form of “Angeles Verdes”—a roving fleet of repair and recovery trucks which operate on Mexico’s toll roads.  Alternatively, you can call your insurance company if you have breakdown cover included, who will dispatch immediate assistance to you.

In Mexico tow-trucks are rarely used. Instead, the mechanic will come to you and if parts are required they don’t have, they will go and get them. You will need to pay the mechanic in cash. Of course, if you have travel assistance as part of your auto insurance coverage, they can send help for minor incidents like a broken fan belt, or even a major breakdown, no matter what kind of road you are on.

Dealing with accidents on a road trip

If you are involved in a car accident on a road trip in Mexico (whether it happens on a libre or autopista road), the first thing to do is to call your auto insurance company.

Here it’s worth noting that your US or Canadian auto insurance policy will not provide adequate cover in Mexico, and if you’re not properly insured you’ll face arrest, liability charges, and legal costs—which can be very serious if anyone is hurt and/or public property has been damaged by your vehicle.  You can learn more about how to get adequate coverage for your road trip across Mexico.

To learn more about travelling on Autopistas in Mexico, connect to our guide about Toll Roads in Mexico; and to get acquainted with the nomenclature you’ll find on Mexico’s roads, read A Guide to Mexican Street Speak.

Learn more about driving in Mexico

Mexperience offers articles with insights to help you prepare for your road trip and drive confidently in Mexico.

• Importing a foreign car or other vehicle to Mexico
• Getting a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for your vehicle
• Insuring your vehicle for driving in Mexico
• Your Mexico road trip checklist
• Latest articles about driving in Mexico
• Guide to auto insurance in Mexico

Out of the blue, signs will point you in the direction of Mexico City’s main wholesale market – the Central de Abastos – or tell you you’re headed towards the airport. True enough, but you could be 20 or more kilometers, and several turns, away from reaching your destination—and there will be no follow-up signs to help you after that.

In the capital, it’s easy enough to find signs telling you you’re going the right way to get to Xochimilco, but suddenly you are left to figure out for yourself that the signs pointing to Embarcaderos are what you now need to follow to reach the place where you can rent one of the flower-arched canal boats called trajineras.

With such a disarray of road signs, another option is to stop and ask for directions. This carries its own set of complications. First you need to find people who “look like they might know.” This subjective decision, often devoid of any real intuition, needs to be accompanied by the possibility of pulling over without prompting a barrage of abuse from the horns of cars behind you that will be kept waiting while you listen to the explanation.

Then there is the risk that your navigator of choice doesn’t really know, but would rather tell you “todo derecho” – keep going straight – than admit that they’re not quite sure, or appear to be unhelpful.  You may get an inkling of this when someone points to a fork in the road ahead and announces “todo derecho.” If you’re the insistent sort, you might ask if they can be a little more specific, to which “derechito” might be the response. Here the diminutive doesn’t mean any less straight ahead, but stresses the simplicity of the original instruction.

Obviously not all requests for directions are frustrated in this way, and the best people to ask, in the absence of technology, are probably taxi drivers.

Of course, modern technology has transformed the ‘direction-asking-and-finding’ experience. A few years ago, you might have had the foresight to look up your destination on Google Maps, print out both a distant shot and a close up for when you get near to your destination, and navigate to your intended place of arrival that way.

Today, modern smartphones have GPS and cellphone-tower triangulation built-in: the new person to ask is the Google Map App who, through means of your phone’s wizardry, will tell you where you are: type-in (or tell it) where you want to go from here and it will point the way, or moreover speak directions to you in real-time if you want it to.

Other helpful articles

For additional insights about driving in Mexico, connect to these additional articles and resources here in Mexperience

• Guide to Mexican Street Speak
• Military checkpoints in Mexico
• Dealing with car accidents in Mexico
• Toll road or freeway?

Tolerance of one’s fellow commuter tends to be inversely proportionate to the number of people aboard the train, and the pushing and shoving in packed carriages around rush-hour can sour the mood of the most ardent philanthropist.

Types of traveler on Mexico City’s metro trains

For those who do or plan to travel on the capital’s Metro — which is still often the fastest, cheapest, and easiest way to get from one end of the the city to the other —  here are are some brief descriptions of the more obvious types of traveler you may encounter.

The Window Slammer

This passenger storms on to the nearly empty train on cold mornings and walks briskly through the carriage slamming the windows shut, then sits down assertively and proceeds to sniffle, discouraging his fellows from invading this space.

The Door Blocker

Stands by the doors for the whole duration of the journey, and is testy about other people pushing-by to get on or off. A door blocker will board a crowded train just as the buzzer is sounding, and stop right by the entrance, causing those behind to have to push to get on, or miss the train. Door blockers usually wear a bulging backpack.

The Seat Reliever

This (usually female) passenger uses a sort of moral blackmail to show the comfortably seated that they probably shouldn’t be. She will stand right in front of the seated person (usually male), and inadvertently press a bag into his knees. One way out of this for those who embarrass easily is to pretend you were getting off, and vacate the spot.

The Worrier

Keeps asking people between him or her and the door if they’re getting off at the next stop. ¿Va a bajar? The question implies, “and if not, could you move aside so that I may?” This would be fine if the train wasn’t still waiting at the previous station.

The Loud Talker

Thinks everyone is interested in hearing about his or her weekend, or day at the office, or heated exchange with a teacher, usually accompanied by a friend or co-worker who limit their responses to the occasional, “ah-ha,” or nod of agreement. A lot of “and so I said,” and “and so he said.”

The Earphone Hummer

Mumbles along to music being played loud enough through an earphone to be audible, but not discernible, to others nearby, often accompanying this with foot tapping, body swaying, and the occasional outburst of “yeah baby!” or “all right!”, oblivious to eyes being rolled in the immediate vicinity.

The Traveling Texter

Gets on everybody’s nerves, using both hands to type away furiously with two thumbs instead of holding on, often leans on the poles taking up the space of two (or at least one and a half) people, and pays no attention to others who need to push past to get off.

Virtual tour of a ride on the metro

These and other videos on YouTube illustrate visually typical rides on Mexico City’s metro.

Permanent and temporary checkpoints

The checkpoints are either permanent or of the type which are set-up on the fly and may appear on any highway at any time of day or night.

Some checkpoints stop every vehicle for inspection, although most create a bottle-neck to slow down the traffic enabling the officers at the checkpoint to selectively signal certain vehicles to pull-over and stop at an inspection area situated at the side of the road. Private vehicles, public buses, taxis, as well as commercial trucks and vehicles may be stopped and searched at these checkpoints.

Getting stopped at checkpoints

If you’re riding on a public intercity bus, a military officer may signal the bus driver to pull-over and have search dogs check the baggage holds; officers might also board the bus to undertake further searches.

There is no need to feel alarmed if your vehicle, or a bus you are traveling on, are selected for a revision and signaled to pulled-over.

If you are traveling in a private vehicle, the officer in charge will politely ask to look at the contents of your car’s trunk, and they might also ask you to step out of the vehicle while they check the contents inside.  At some checkpoints, mirrors are used to inspect underneath the vehicle, and search dogs may be present to sniff for the presence of drugs and other illicit items.  To expedite the process in the shortest time, simply be courteous and comply with the lead-officer’s requests.

Purpose of military checkpoints

The checkpoints are installed to monitor and prevent the illegal movement of goods on Mexico’s roads.  In addition to checking for illicit narcotics, officers are inspecting vehicles for the unauthorized transportation of products such as precious woods (e.g. mahogany) as the trading of these is licensed in Mexico; illegal firearms; ancient artifacts that might have been stolen from archaeology sites; and ensuring that large commercial trucks have their paperwork in order when they are transporting restricted or licensed goods.

In the unlikely event that the lead officer decides to detain you or your vehicle, you should ask why they are doing so and, if you are a foreign national, you should request access to your country’s consulate to inform them of your detention.

Most inspections are completed within a few short minutes and you should soon be on your way.  Unless heavy traffic has caused a backlog of slow-moving cars on the approach to the checkpoint, the event is unlikely to make any material difference to your journey’s itinerary.

For complete guides to getting around in Mexico, connect to our Travel Essentials : Transport in Mexico section here on Mexperience.