At the book signing yesterday, we bought a couple of copies of Peter Fowler's "Good Info for Gringos Living in Baja" (which actually should be
entitled "Good Info for Gringos Living in Rosarito," but that's another story). In the chapter on immigration, he states that once you have
immigrado status, you can no longer drive a foreign-plated car in Mexico (e.g., US or Canada). I checked a number of websites, and they all clearly
state that with FM-2 or immigrado staus, your vehicles must have Mexican plates.
Is this a requirement that is actually enforced? What are the risks of ignoring it (the way some people ignore getting an FM-3)? Any experiences to
share?
rob - 5-4-2008 at 08:55 AM
Like many laws in our adopted land, this particular regulation appears to be very sporadically enforced (I only know of one case). Consider:
You (a naturalized Mexican or FM-2 holder), are driving down the Transpeninsular in your US-plated vehicle - and you have an accident (which opens a
whole new can of worms labelled LIABILITY - because maybe your Vagabundos or Discover Baja insurance is no longer valid, you are afterall, breaking a
Mexican Federal law) , or are otherwise hauled over by the Federales Preventivas.
You are asked for ID and you dutifully (and unthinkingly) hand over your FM2 or IFE card, plus either your US or Mexican drivers license (at this
point it doesn't really matter, you are already doomed).
A beautifully-executed scenario of confusion will then be enacted for your benefit - followed by an explanation of the infracción. The law requires
immediate impoundment of the vehicle until disposition of the matter (as I say, I know of only one disposition - cost $6500US) - and the moment of
decision is at hand. If you allow (I use the word in the sense of making a procedural decision only) the vehicle to be impounded - you will shortly be
dealing with a whole new level of city-based management - and the ante is upped accordingly.
Your best deal would be to attempt to settle then and there - and it will cost you everything you are carrying (this is no $200US deal - of course you
could luck out and be dealing with a rookie), and if you don't have enough, loop back to the beginning of the paragraph.
My Mexican-American friends who drive US-plated vehicles (the law is equally applicable) carry passports and a US drivers license for the eventuality
above. This is sufficient in cities, where the local transitos ask only for licenses. On the highways, you will be asked for your license, and PERHAPS
your ID. This is your cue to produce your passport and your FMT.
You don't have one? Everyone knows that is an infracción and will need to be settled/rectified. True. But a lesser problem.stanburn - 5-5-2008 at 04:19 AM
I pick up my new FM-2 on this Friday. As I understand it the rules regarding foreign plated vehicles apply after you have completed 5 years on your
FM-2. That is when you become a quasi citizen.DENNIS - 5-5-2008 at 06:44 AM
I think it's like any other question in Mexico that has thirty different answers.bajamigo - 5-5-2008 at 05:25 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
I think it's like any other question in Mexico that has thirty different answers.
What are the other 29??
DENNIS - 5-5-2008 at 05:57 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by bajamigo
What are the other 29??
Which one to this point will you bet your life on?hookemup - 5-6-2008 at 09:49 AM
Maybe just maybe. This is what I find " FM3,if current US plates OK"
" FM2 ,US plates OK for 5 years,then must be sold out of the country" but who Knows ? Many answers as Dennis says.Maybe a trip to local immigration
office could clear it up. Did I say clear? Sorry.Bruce R Leech - 5-6-2008 at 09:55 AM
ether follow the rules or stay with the fm3. what is the point of getting it if
you cant live with it?DENNIS - 5-6-2008 at 11:25 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
ether follow the rules or stay with the fm3. what is the point of getting it if
you cant live with it?
Good suggestion, Bruce. I think we're just trying to establish what the rules are today.bajamigo - 5-6-2008 at 12:15 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by bajamigo
What are the other 29??
Which one to this point will you bet your life on?
As Jack Benny once said when a thief demanded his money or his life, "I'm thinking, I'm thinking!"bajalou - 5-6-2008 at 12:53 PM
I've heard - not tried it - that you can apply to use a US plated car you had before getting the Imigrado status.Bruce R Leech - 5-6-2008 at 03:23 PM
the law says you cant drive the cars from out of Mexico while in Mexico on a fm2 or immigrant.bajalou - 5-6-2008 at 03:56 PM
The customs people and immigration had no problems with me driving a SD, USA plated truck to Mazatlan while in the 3rd year of my FM2. They issued
the Temp. Imp. permit that expired on the renewal date of the FM2, about 10 months from the date I got the TI.
what is the point of getting it if
you cant live with it?