18 replies to this topic

[PLAYAZ]

I know you all are mostly american.
and go to the AAA for an international drivers L

But where would a nonamerican mexico resident with a mexico drivers license obtain an international drivers license in TJ? to drive in the USA>
does that option even exist...

theres bogus websites besides the AAA

[bluejeans]

I know you all are mostly american.
and go to the AAA for an international drivers L

But where would a nonamerican mexico resident with a mexico drivers license obtain an international drivers license in TJ? to drive in the USA>
does that option even exist...

theres bogus websites besides the AAA

Try looking at this Google page "international drivers license"
http://www.google.co...amp;rlz=1I7ADBR

[zunigan]

As an american with a DL from CA. Do we need this type of DL?

[drchoi]

not need if your driving within 100miles of boarder..

mexican insurance would help

i believe one needs to secure a international driving licence from their country where the passport was issued..

[George Costanza]

I looked into this a few years back and there is a office in Otay Mesa, San Diego that offers International Driver licenses but there is one problem....
There is no such thing.

There is a international drivers permit which can be obtained officialy on the AAA website. It is no good for Mexico

[Chiquito]

What the AAA issues (under permission from the State Department) is called an International Drivers Permit. It is not any kind of license unto itself. It is a document that translates your existing license into other languages so officials who don't read English will understand it. It is only useful when accompanied with the original license.

There are some places that issue something called an International Drivers License but I don't know of anywhere that will recognize it as valid.

There are some sites that will issue you passports for the Soviet Union, Rhodesia, and several other countries that don't exist anymore. Technically not forgeries as there is no existing valid passport it is copying. May keep the terrorists from targeting you as an American, if they're real stupid, which they generally are.

[TJGringo]

not need if your driving within 100miles of boarder..

mexican insurance would help

i believe one needs to secure a international driving licence from their country where the passport was issued..

Drchoi is incorrect on all accounts

Mexico recognizes US drivers license no matter where you are in Mexico. There is no 100 mile rule. Mexican insurance doesn't help your license status and is not required in Mexico and last but not least like the two users above there is no IDL.

I was stopped in Rosarito a couple years ago and was told I needed a Mexican DL or I had to pay a fine. I stood firm and the police let me go. I called the US Consulate and they confirmed my statements above.

[Chiquito]

"...told I needed a Mexican DL.

Many of us have been told of very obscure rules that are invented on the spot to extort money.

[drchoi]

you guys are too funny

it may be OK not having a insurance in tj or other parts of mexico...its not recommanded that you drive without mexican insurance in mexico

2nd, if you do drive into pass 100 mole or so from the boarder, a driver is required to have a visa/perimit for extended stay in mexico.

so tjgringo is telling me i can drive to sandiego to mexico city without auto insurance , without permit, driving a US registered car without any problems with the mexican law?

i like to see that if thats true?

as per getting a international drivers licence, i still believe one must obtain it from ones own country..

[PLAYAZ]

OK

So a mexican resident or citizen may use their " mexico drivers lic"
to rent or drive a car in the united states?

Im pretty sure an american police officer would like a translation of a mexico drivers license or russian.german etc and
Im pretty sure many mexicans are legally driving in the usa with a mx lic/id as a tourist...
So when pulled over they would need a drivers lic and maybe a visa.

but an international drivers permit doesnt exist?

ok yes theres no such thing as a IDL more like a permit that supplements your state drivers id. both must be carried, like Chiq stated. Ive noticed many Americans using it in foreign countries.
Sorry for the confusion, but i was askin about driving on the usa side as a tourist not the mexico side.
I think Mexico and canada accept american State DL throughout the country with no intl permit req, and I would guess it varies from each country

I can call the AAA to find out about the reverse situation. Has anyone even seen a local AAA in Baja?

[PLAYAZ]

Hmmm i guess this is it->

INTERNATIONAL DRIVING LICENSES


This document, of annual force, entitles you to drive in any part of the world (except the country where it was issued), whether own or rented car.

REQUIREMENTS
Two passport size photographs (B&W or color)
A copy of the current local driving license both sides
Up to date passport (with expiration date grater or equal to the date of driver license provided)
A copy of proof of address document (electric power, water, phone bills; no longer than two months old)

**For your security, Banking account balances are not accepted.

Requirements for immigrants are:
Up to date FM2 form.
FM3 Form

All the documents must be shown in original and photocopy in order to verify the information authenticity and compare signatures and photographs.

The procedure is carried out in customer service department from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00 hr. and it will be completed between 15 or 20 minutes.
Subject to change without previous notice

http://www.ama.com.m...inglicenses.asp

[BajaGringo]

Mexico accepts a US drivers license for driving in Mexico. You still need to have a proper visa and if driving your US plated car a permit once past the border areas. I have had a couple of cops over the years try to tell me I needed an international license but I always insisted that my US license was legal and they would back down. One cop in Cuernavaca kept insisting so I told him that I'd make him a bet; we go to the judge and get the real story - if I was right he'd buy me lunch and if he was right I'd give him a hundred dollars. He started laughing, shook my hand and wished me a nice day.

I think that the international drivers license is a waste of time and money IMHO...

[TJGringo]

As an american with a DL from CA. Do we need this type of DL?

Drchoi responds

not need if your driving within 100 miles of boarder..
i believe one needs to secure a international driving licence from their country where the passport was issued

The poster was not discussing what paperwork was needed but if we need a IDL to travel in Mexico and that was your response. " you only need a IDL if you travel more than 100 miles from the border."
I was just responding to the statement you posted not interpreting the text or what you meant to say.

Yes you need a visa or travel card which is available at the border in Tijuana

There is no IDL it is a worldwide scam and not recognized by any country in the world. A IDP like Chiquito said is merely a translation of your DL and is only recognized by a few countries and Mexico is not one of them.

I'm just trying to post factual information to help others out. I'm not arguing or calling anyone out.


GOOD POST Baja glad to see you back in action

[BajaGringo]

Thanks TJGringo - I have been really busy with work and traveling a lot lately. Hope to stay put for awhile now and catch up...

[drchoi]

As an american with a DL from CA. Do we need this type of DL?

Drchoi responds

not need if your driving within 100 miles of boarder..
i believe one needs to secure a international driving licence from their country where the passport was issued

The poster was not discussing what paperwork was needed but if we need a IDL to travel in Mexico and that was your response. " you only need a IDL if you travel more than 100 miles from the border."
I was just responding to the statement you posted not interpreting the text or what you meant to say.



I'm just trying to post factual information to help others out. I'm not arguing or calling anyone out.


GOOD POST Baja glad to see you back in action

thanks for your response but your incorrect on correcting my original response..

i never wrote you needed a IDL in my first post..

lol

your just too funny..and funny thing is i cant spell.. :shock:

[Pieancho]

Since you live in Baja California, why not just get a Mexican drivers license?

You need to go to the Hacienda on Via Rapidia just before the 20 de noviembre turn off. Take your FM-3 and a utility bill with copies and make an appointment.

Return with on your appointment date and complete the name, address, phone number, person to contact in case of emergency information. They will photograph you and have you verify your information.

Get a medical certification that you are physically and mentally able to drive. There is a medical doctor there that will provide one for you for about $200 pesos.

Take the 30 question test (in Spanish) on the computer touch screen. You can take it twice in one day if you fail the first time. Otherwise you need to make another appointment for another time after you study. For the most part, the rules are the same as California. There is a study sheet you can pick up, but the questions cover more than the sheet.

Upon passing the test, you will be told to take the driving test. For me it was to drive around the block.

Go back inside the building and pay $340 pesos and they will issue your license.

Now I use my BC license for ID instead of my FM-3.

[PLAYAZ]

Hmmm so does anyone drive in the USA with a BC license and BC plates?

[Chiquito]

A whole lot of Mexicans. Obviously to have a BC license and BC plates you need a BC address.

[Scooby]

Hmmm so does anyone drive in the USA with a BC license and BC plates?

I do, but I've also have a CA DL.
I'm guessing that the thousands of Mexican plated cars we see in the USA are often driven by the owners who have ONLY a MX license.
I've never asked them and I could be wrong. I'd also guess that renting on the US side might be more complicated.
Probably having a credit card could help in establishing ID and any payment worries of the rental agents.

If answers are hard to find about this, it might be worth humbling oneself to go over to the traffic lines at the border crossing and ask some of those drivers there.

To be honest, I've never gotten consistent answers either from US or MX officials :roll:
about the legal requirements of US citizens driving MX plated cars in the USA.
That though I know is another discussion.