BajaNomad

Driving into the USA with Mexican car

Mulegena - 4-2-2013 at 07:07 PM

I believe this topic has come up on threads, but I've Searched and found nothing specific, ie. how to enter the US with a legal Mexican-plated car.

Some questions:
~First, is there an online website/s for definitive answers?
If not, does anyone know?:
~Must the operator's/s' name/s be on the Mexican car's registration in order to drive it into the US?
~Can temporary US insurance be purchased near the border in Tecate before crossing into the US or on-line in advance?
~As a foreigner legally residing in Mexico must I have a Mexican drivers license to drive a Mexican car in Mexico?
~Can I use my current Mexican drivers license in the USA?
~Can I use my current California State drivers license in the USA while driving a Mexican car?

Bruce R Leech - 4-2-2013 at 07:20 PM

if the car is in your name it will be ok, if not dont try it. I drive my Mexican plated truck to the USA once a month and my insurance coasts 150.00 a year.

Mulegena - 4-3-2013 at 06:20 AM

Thanks, Bruce. Good to know the driver's/s' name/s must be on the car's current title and registration.

Anything else, Anybody?

bajalinda - 4-3-2013 at 07:18 AM

You can get short-term insurance to cover your Mexican car while in the US. It's been a couple of years since we've done this and I don't remember how much it cost or which agency we used (in La Paz), but I'll look it up and post later. In any case, we got coverage for one month and it was very reasonable.

bajajudy - 4-3-2013 at 07:45 AM

I think that you can purchase insurance on line and print your policy.

BajaParrothead - 4-3-2013 at 08:22 AM

Quote:
~Can I use my current Mexican drivers license in the USA?
~Can I use my current California State drivers license in the USA while driving a Mexican car?


Mulegena,
As for driving in the US on your Mexican license; A Mexican DL is valid in the US for the period of time granted on the tourist visa.

Your California license allows you to drive any legal, validly registered motor vehicle in the US. The requirements for operating a foreign registered vehicle in California is that the vehicle cannot be "based" in California, cannot be used for purposes of, or transportation to employment. If you are just visiting NOB for a short period, no problem, just make sure you have valid US insurance.
Safe travels!!:D

bajalinda - 4-3-2013 at 03:56 PM

Mulegena - we got our short term policy at Ortiz Insurance Agency in La Paz and I believe it was an ING policy - cost was no more than $50.00US at the very most. We decided to take care of it before the drive and not hassle with it at the border since we could indicate the starting date that we wanted. If there's a similar kind of office where you are, why not just get it done before you hit the road? Don't know about online, but in this day and age there's got to be a way to do it online too.

comitan - 4-3-2013 at 04:12 PM

Mulegena

If its a legal mexican registeredI(plated car) uou probably have a rider on the back for insurance while in the USA, Most mexican insurers have been doing this the last 2 years. Qualitas I know, Also Atlas, ask your insurance agent. I have driven all over the US with Mexican plated car with Mexican drivers license.

Mulegena - 4-3-2013 at 04:33 PM

Thanks, Nomads.
With this info so far, you've encouraged me to pursue this.
Welcome any and all knowledge on this subject.
As my plans develop I'll post my findings on this thread, too.
Mil Gracias y keep it coming.

Riom - 4-3-2013 at 09:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
I believe this topic has come up on threads, but I've Searched and found nothing specific, ie. how to enter the US with a legal Mexican-plated car.


I have Baja California plates (frontera), and a Mexican driver's license (and Mexican residence). With these I get my car insurance in Mexico (Atlas last year, Quálitas this year). As well as covering all of Mexico, both comprehensive policies include full coverage in the USA (lower 48) and Canada, for any number of trips and any length of stay. Not every policy does though, you need to check.

I've only once been asked for the registration documents and insurance when entering the US.

There's an extra requirement for Canada, the "Non-Resident Inter-Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card". This card should be free if your Mexican policy has sufficient coverage for Canada (not all do), but you do have to specially request it (it's a very unusual requirement), and it can take some time for the card to reach your insurance broker.

As others have mentioned, it's legal to drive with Mexican plates and license for any length of trip in the USA or Canada, while you have a valid tourist entry permit and insurance. If you're a "resident" of any US state their rules would probably forbid driving for long with "out of state" (or country) plates/license (not an issue for me).

Rob

[Edited on 2013-4-4 by Riom]

Mulegena - 4-4-2013 at 03:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Riom
I have Baja California plates (frontera), and a Mexican driver's license (and Mexican residence). With these I get my car insurance in Mexico (Atlas last year, Quálitas this year)...
As others have mentioned, it's legal to drive with Mexican plates and license for any length of trip in the USA or Canada, while you have a valid tourist entry permit and insurance...

Questions, please:
~ Can you provide the contact information for Qualitas, please?
~ Are you suggesting that I must apply for a tourist entry permit into the USA? I'm a US citizen.

Riom - 4-5-2013 at 11:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
~ Can you provide the contact information for Qualitas, please?


The website for Qualitas is: www.qualitas.com.mx

My car is an import (frontera), which doesn't fit any of the online quote systems, so rather than trying to deal directly with insurance companies I use a broker (Alanis in San Felipe). They look for the best deal for me each year (saved me 25% this year), and are somebody to work for me if there's ever any problems. There should be a similar broker in your area.
Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
~ Are you suggesting that I must apply for a tourist entry permit into the USA? I'm a US citizen.


No. For non-US citizens, driving a foreign-plated car is legal in the US while not a resident (such as entering as a tourist).

But for US citizens (or legal residents, students etc), it probably depends on state rules - if you're a resident, or become a resident, of a US state, that state will decide when you can no longer drive on foreign plates/license.

For example for Arizona:
http://www.azdot.gov/mvd/azwelcome.asp#ResidentDefinition

So if you vote in Arizona (or work there, spend more than 7 months per year there, etc), your Mexican plates/license would legally need to be changed for Arizona ones "immediately" you set foot (wheel) in the state.

If there's nothing to make you resident (tax home?) in the US state that you visit, you would be treated the same as a tourist. Just like using California plates in Arizona for limited visits.

The Mexican insurance does require you to be a resident of Mexico (FM3/2 etc).

Rob

[Edited on 2013-4-5 by Riom]

DavidE - 4-5-2013 at 12:32 PM

Friends have confirmed what I found out the hard way, a cracked windshield can send a car and occupants back into Mexico as can inoperative lights or illegal lights (driving lights without covers) blue clearance lights, etc. Just sayin'.

Mulegena - 4-5-2013 at 01:07 PM

Good to know, DavidE.
Personally not planning on doing any of that, but pertinent info for this Thread.

tecatero - 8-4-2016 at 07:22 AM

Im a permanent resident card holder, mexican DL, and have insurance for US on my mexican plated vehicle. Now, crossing the border I can show all paperwork on my car, I still hold a US Passport,,,,,,,,tell me I don't need a tourist visa to visit US .?

David K - 8-4-2016 at 07:31 AM

You are an American citizen with a valid U.S. Passport (for identification), what prevents you from coming "home" otherwise?

AKgringo - 8-4-2016 at 08:11 AM

I know that I am not allowed to hold a driver's license in both Alaska and California, is it different with a foreign license? Presenting one from each country could be a problem.

David K - 8-4-2016 at 10:56 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
I know that I am not allowed to hold a driver's license in both Alaska and California, is it different with a foreign license? Presenting one from each country could be a problem.


Don't show more than one drivers license, but I don't think the cop cares who pulls you over.

At the border, you do not show a drivers license (unless you don't have any other ID, then just show the American one, naturally, if northbound).

AKgringo - 8-4-2016 at 11:35 AM

David, I was asked for registration documents for my car at Tecate once, because my CA plates did not jive with my AK passport.

Having a MX plated vehicle would surely trigger similar or more questions. Unless the US passport and DL show the MX address, there is even more room for questions.

It probably is no big deal, but if it is busy that day, who wants to get sent to secondary to sort it out?

David K - 8-4-2016 at 12:06 PM

Right you are, anything out of the norm will raise questions. The agents at the border must question anything odd. Having duplicate IDs from different countries or Americans driving a Mexican car should raise questions.

woody with a view - 8-4-2016 at 01:23 PM

When did Alaska start producing passports?

David K - 8-4-2016 at 01:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
When did Alaska start producing passports?


:light::lol: I have heard of the California Republic, but not the REPUBLIC OF ALASKA! What is Sarah Palin up to now???

AKgringo - 8-4-2016 at 01:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
When did Alaska start producing passports?


I showed the agent my AK drivers license first, to see if he would ask for a passport. He did, or some other proof of citizenship, such as birth certificate or voter registration.

woody with a view - 8-4-2016 at 02:00 PM

Prolly for those quickie trips to Russia!

AKgringo - 8-4-2016 at 03:23 PM

Are we off topic yet?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diomede_Islands

mtgoat666 - 8-4-2016 at 03:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
When did Alaska start producing passports?


:light::lol: I have heard of the California Republic, but not the REPUBLIC OF ALASKA! What is Sarah Palin up to now???


Thankfully she has disappeared back into the cave where mccain found her. Good riddance!