12 replies to this topic

[HARRY]

Mi suegra has license plates on her car that only allows the vehicle to be driven in Baja Norte only (no further south than Ensenada). She only paid $100 for the registration. Has anyone else heard of such a thing? I would like to get Baja plates on my SUV.

[Klort]

I have only seen the fronterizo or nacional, have never seen another plate in Tijuana except for other state plates.

[Miggiesmallz- TEXMEX]

I believe your suegra has the fronteriza plates, which typically is found on cars which originated in the US that were brought across the border to Mexico but not fully imported. She should, however, be able to circulate the entire BC Peninsula but not go to the interior.

http://www.worldlice...ld/NA_MEXI.html

[Cyanide41]

Is that why some cars have the plates with the orange sky instead of the ones with the blue sky?

[Klort]

Right, blue's nacional, orange is fronterizo. If the car is 1997, easy to get nacional, but not the others.

[bajashrink]

Mi suegra has license plates on her car that only allows the vehicle to be driven in Baja Norte only (no further south than Ensenada). She only paid $100 for the registration. Has anyone else heard of such a thing? I would like to get Baja plates on my SUV.

Yes, a vehicle with fronteriza plates is a used, imported vehicle from north of the border and can only be operated within 100 km of the northern border without a permit to travel further. However, those registered in Baja California, other states, and other countries can be operated all the way down to the tip of the Baja penninsula without a special permit.

Vehicles with Mexican fronteriza vehicle registrations and plates and foreign-registered vehicles can obtain a six-month permit to travel to the interior of Mexico beyond the 100 km limit. The permit can be obtained at a Mexican customs border crossing and costs about 25 dollars. The vehicle has to be returned to Mexican customs by the six month expiration date as verification that it was not left or sold in the interior.

Most used vehicles imported from the U.S. can now be registered with national license plates instead of fronteriza, but they cost several hundred dollars more.

[Lolita]

Yes, a vehicle with fronteriza plates is a used, imported vehicle from north of the border and can only be operated within 100 km of the northern border without a permit to travel further.  However, those registered in Baja California, other states, and other countries can be operated all the way down to the tip of the Baja penninsula without a special permit.

Vehicles with Mexican fronteriza vehicle registrations and plates and foreign-registered vehicles can obtain a six-month permit to travel to the interior of Mexico beyond the 100 km limit.  The permit can be obtained at a Mexican customs border crossing and costs about 25 dollars. The vehicle has to be returned to Mexican customs by the six month expiration date as verification that it was not left or sold in the interior.

Most used vehicles imported from the U.S. can now be registered with national license plates instead of fronteriza, but they cost several hundred dollars more.

How can an imported car be registered in MX? What do I need, where can I go?

[bajashrink]

There are many private vehicle importation agencies in the MX border towns. Just look for the signs that say IMPORTACION or NACIONALIZACION. If you want to have it done in TJ, the nearest one closest the San Ysidro border crossing is at the intersection where the west pedestrian turnstiles are located, which is Av. de la Amistad & Larroque. The cost of importation depends on the year and make of the vehicle.

Zoom in and you can see the intersection:

http://maps.google.c...ps?hl=en&tab=wl

[pel1000]

There are many private vehicle importation agencies in the MX border towns.  Just look for the signs that say IMPORTACION or NACIONALIZACION.  If you want to have it done in TJ, the nearest one closest the San Ysidro border crossing is at the intersection where the west pedestrian turnstiles are located, which is Av. de la Amistad & Larroque.  The cost of importation depends on the year and make of the vehicle.

Zoom in and you can see the intersection:

http://maps.google.c...ps?hl=en&tab=wl

I am thinking to buy a 2004 Passat from LA. Can someone tell me if it can be fully imported with blue licence plates or just the orange ones?

[bajashrink]

FYI: The main of advantage of having a vehicle that's registered in Baja used to be not having to get it smog checked like you do in California and other states. However, as of this year that's no longer the case.

[Cyanide41]

FYI: The main of advantage of having a vehicle that's registered in Baja used to be not having to get it smog checked like you do in California and other states. However, as of this year that's no longer the case.

Before I go to the end of your post I was thinking, "I am pretty sure that is no longer the case." I know that on Segunda headed NE bound, there is a smog station just before the Soler exit, right next to the Pemex. I remember seeing HUGE lines for that place.

Smog checks are well passed due in Mexico. I am just curious (doubtful) that they will be enforced.

[Klort]

I am thinking to buy a 2004 Passat from LA. Can someone tell me if it can be fully imported with blue licence plates or just the orange ones?

Much more expensive if you get the nacional, I don't even think you can get it. Just get the orange ones.

[bajashrink]

Before I go to the end of your post I was thinking, "I am pretty sure that is no longer the case." I know that on Segunda headed NE bound, there is a smog station just before the Soler exit, right next to the Pemex. I remember seeing HUGE lines for that place.

Smog checks are well passed due in Mexico. I am just curious (doubtful) that they will be enforced.

They're enforced because the smog stations are run by the state and you can't renew your registration until your vehicle can pass the test.

The long lines were when the state was offering the tests for free. There' now a fee again, which is about the same rate as in the states.