BajaNomad

questions on buying scooter

elbicho - 5-21-2011 at 06:13 PM

I am thinking of buying a scooter in La Paz. I have a few questions.

1. Do I need a FM3 to buy one?
2. Do I need a Mexican DL to buy one?
3. What would I have to do to get it registered?

Thanks

choyero - 5-21-2011 at 06:30 PM

They will sell it to you, but you will not be able to register it or drive it without a mexican license. To get a Mex license you need an fm2/3.

Dave - 5-21-2011 at 07:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by choyero
They will sell it to you, but you will not be able to register it or drive it without a mexican license. To get a Mex license you need an fm2/3.


I wouldn't bet on it. You do not need a Mexican license to register a vehicle. However, you probably would need an FM2/3. Also, you don't need a Mexican license to operate a Mexican plated vehicle...as long as you could either prove ownership or had permission.

choyero - 5-21-2011 at 07:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Quote:
Originally posted by choyero
They will sell it to you, but you will not be able to register it or drive it without a mexican license. To get a Mex license you need an fm2/3.


I wouldn't bet on it. You do not need a Mexican license to register a vehicle. However, you probably would need an FM2/3. Also, you don't need a Mexican license to operate a Mexican plated vehicle...as long as you could either prove ownership or had permission.


I needed a Mex DL when I registered my vehicle. I bought a mex truck, and I didn't have a mex dl, I didn't know I needed a MDL when I bought the truck. The guy I bought it from didn't have a MDL. They also required a blood test to get a drivers license. I had to get a MDL in order to register/transfer it. They even made me take a written test.

longlegsinlapaz - 5-21-2011 at 08:03 PM

In La Paz:

Dave - 5-21-2011 at 11:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by morgaine7
And yes, you need a Mexican DL to operate a Mexican-registered vehicle in La Paz (and probably all of BCS). The traffic law specifically says that a foreign DL is valid only if you're operating a vehicle with plates from the same country.


So...one couldn't borrow a Mexican friend's car to go grocery shopping, or drive him to the hospital?

How about renting a car?

Bob and Susan - 5-22-2011 at 03:01 AM

dave...you could "borrow" a friends car to go shopping or the hospital
but
you'd be driving without a license

i noticed rental cars down here have different plates

here in mulege you pay for registration and plates in the governers office in town...this is the easiest ticket for law enforcement...no registration or license

longlegsinlapaz - 5-22-2011 at 07:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Quote:
Originally posted by morgaine7
And yes, you need a Mexican DL to operate a Mexican-registered vehicle in La Paz (and probably all of BCS). The traffic law specifically says that a foreign DL is valid only if you're operating a vehicle with plates from the same country.


So...one couldn't borrow a Mexican friend's car to go grocery shopping, or drive him to the hospital?

How about renting a car?


Rental cars....by their very nature....are the exception to the rule.

It is legal to drive a friend's Mx plated vehicle with a US DL....IF the registered owner is physically in the vehicle with you.

I've taken friends to the airport & stored their vehicles at my place while they were gone....once, as we got to the airport, I said, "Oh crap! What country is this truck licensed in?" It was US-plated, but I'm 8-10 minutes from the airport so I just drove back home extra cautiously.....& picked them up in my car 3-4 weeks later! Chances are probably slim, but there is the infrequent bogus infraction stop for mordita possibility & a foreign-plated vehicle increases that risk. I'm personally not willing to knowingly or intentionally risk having anyone else's vehicle possibly confiscated or impounded by Aduana.:no:

As Bob and Susan stated, rental cars do have a unique license plate (white with a "misty" red strip along the bottom) & I've noticed that taxis & most large commercial-type trucks carry the same type of plate, so I believe it must be a commercial vehicle designation.

On edit: elbicho, if you're moving here, I'd wait until you have applied for FM3 or FM2 before you apply for local DL & attempt to buy, license & register a vehicle of any type.

[Edited on 5-22-2011 by longlegsinlapaz]

[Edited on 5-22-2011 by longlegsinlapaz]

Bajatripper - 5-22-2011 at 12:13 PM

Such a wealth of knowledge. You just gotta love it!

BajaGringo - 5-22-2011 at 01:58 PM

I had to get a Baja drivers license to be able to register my Baja plated vehicle.

elbicho - 5-22-2011 at 05:18 PM

Thanks everybody. Is there any place that rents them? The place that rents out bicycles and rollerblades on the Malecon has a couple but they are LOLexpensive. Another place?

bajagrouper - 5-27-2011 at 04:10 PM

Funny you can buy property with a tourist card (FFM) but not a motorcycle......

[Edited on 5-27-2011 by bajagrouper]

msteve1014 - 5-27-2011 at 04:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajagrouper
Funny you can buy property with a tourist card (FFM) but not a motorcycle......

[Edited on 5-27-2011 by bajagrouper]

you can buy the motorcycle, you just can't ride it, or register it.