BajaNomad - Mexico drivers license

Mexico drivers license

beachbum1A - 1-21-2014 at 12:16 PM

A friend's Calif. drivers license will expire soon and he (not a member of BN) has a couple of questions that I am posting for him.

As part of these questions, understand that his vehicle is currently registered in South Dakota.
OK...

1. If he allows his Calif. license to expire, can he legally drive his vehicle in the state of Calif. with a MX drivers license?

2. Can he drive the same (So. Dakota) registered vehicle legally here in Mexico with a MX driver license?

I should have added that he does have his permanente visa.

Thanks!

[Edited on 1-21-2014 by beachbum1A]

dtbushpilot - 1-21-2014 at 12:28 PM

No, no.

Kgryfon - 1-21-2014 at 04:40 PM

From what you've said it looks like he has legal ties to SD and MX, but no longer to CA. He probably was supposed to get a SD DL and turn his CA DL in once he became a SD "resident." Only SD residents are supposed to have their cars registered there.

Assuming this is the case:
1) if his car is registered in SD, that implies that he is a resident of SD and would therefore not need a CA driver's license.
2) He should get a SC DL
3) from the internet and not sure how accurate: a valid driver license from any Mexican state allows a resident of Mexico to drive in the US

Take it for what it's worth. I'd be calling the DMV in CA to ask them question 1) and I'd call an expert in MX DMV and ask them question 2).

Kgryfon - 1-21-2014 at 05:01 PM

http://www.watchsonomacounty.com/2011/07/county/judge-califo...

Might want to read this. Not exactly the same situation, but close.

dtbushpilot - 1-21-2014 at 05:04 PM

What I understand is that his friend is a former CA resident, now a MX resident who has registered his car in SD to avoid the CA registration hassles. If he is pulled over in the US and presents a MX drivers license and has nothing to show SD residency he will likely be in for some trouble, just an assumption on my part.

I am certain that driving a US plated car in Mexico and presenting a MX drivers license to a federal cop could result in your car being impounded. It is definitely illegal and considerd a serious offense.

I think beachbums friend should do as Kgryfon suggests and seek professional advice.

[Edited on 1-22-2014 by dtbushpilot]

beachbum1A - 1-21-2014 at 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kgryfon
From what you've said it looks like he has legal ties to SD and MX, but no longer to CA. He probably was supposed to get a SD DL and turn his CA DL in once he became a SD "resident." Only SD residents are supposed to have their cars registered there.

Assuming this is the case:
1) if his car is registered in SD, that implies that he is a resident of SD and would therefore not need a CA driver's license.
2) He should get a SC DL
3) from the internet and not sure how accurate: a valid driver license from any Mexican state allows a resident of Mexico to drive in the US

Take it for what it's worth. I'd be calling the DMV in CA to ask them question 1) and I'd call an expert in MX DMV and ask them question 2).

Negative on the "legal ties" to Calif.. The only tie to Calif. is his DL and that will soon expire. He is a US citizen residing permanently in Mexico and like a lot of other North Americans, have their vehicles registered in So Dakota.
But you're probably correct in that he need to contact the DMV in Calif. and inquire as to the legality of driving there with a MX drivers license while he resides in Mexico as a permanent resident.

beachbum1A - 1-21-2014 at 05:46 PM

Quote:

I am certain that driving a US plated car in Mexico and presenting a MX drivers license to a federal cop could result in your car being impounded. It is definitely illegal and considerd a serious offense.

I think your correct on this point. At least that's what I've heard all along. Thanks.

bajaguy - 1-21-2014 at 05:47 PM

Good luck on getting a correct answer!! :lol:

Quote:

Originally posted by beachbum1A
But you're probably correct in that he need to contact the DMV in Calif. and inquire as to the legality of driving there with a MX drivers license while he resides in Mexico as a permanent resident.

dasubergeek - 1-21-2014 at 06:13 PM

Make sure to call the CA DMV three times and then pick which of the four answers you like best.

J.P. - 1-21-2014 at 06:22 PM

WHEREVER your friend decides tell him not to let his current license expire. at his age it may be difficult to get another one.
tell him to buy a Mexico car and get a mexico license :biggrin:

Vacation time

bajaguy - 1-21-2014 at 06:26 PM

Your friend needs to take a trip to South Dakota......maybe do some prospecting along the way :lol:

rts551 - 1-21-2014 at 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by beachbum1A

Quote:

I think your correct on this point. At least that's what I've heard all along. Thanks.

wonder if this is because of the illegal importation and sale of cars that happens in Mexico.

bajadock - 1-21-2014 at 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kgryfon
Only SD residents are supposed to have their cars registered there.

Trying not to be in internet #rick on this, but, can you document a source? cheers

rts551 - 1-21-2014 at 06:50 PM

And what if you have a US passport,FM-3 or Temporary resident card, Mexican drivers license, and US plated car (SD or otherwise). I go my first Baja Sur, Municipality of Mulege drivers License (since I do not believe there is a federal government license) when I had a FM-3. no problem. just showed my FM-3 and Passport.

Not correct

bajaguy - 1-21-2014 at 07:01 PM

http://mydakotaaddress.com/Affidavit%20non-residence%20for%2...

Quote:

Originally posted by Kgryfon
......Only SD residents are supposed to have their cars registered there.

yellowklr - 1-21-2014 at 07:18 PM

Its a big mess that I deal with every day in my job…….Its really a mess when your DL doesn't match your VEH REG

If you insist on driving a SD plated car get a SD DL…..And when in Califonia you have contact with any LE you LIVE in SD………..Don't give any other address

hope thats clear

Bill Collector - 1-21-2014 at 07:26 PM

We have been pulled over by a Federal police at the airport in San Jose. We have our car licensed in South Dakota. We presented our Mexican drivers license, our IFFE Card, we are mexican citizens. There was never a problem. Our car wasnt impounded, they told us to Have a Good Day.

Wally - 1-21-2014 at 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bill Collector
We have been pulled over by a Federal police at the airport in San Jose. We have our car licensed in South Dakota. We presented our Mexican drivers license, our IFFE Card, we are mexican citizens. There was never a problem. Our car wasnt impounded, they told us to Have a Good Day.

First off: How does a Mexican legally register a vehicle in the US?

Second: The law is the law, if you are driving in Mexico:

You drive a Mexican plated car you MUST have a Mexican DL.

You drive a U.S. plated car you MUST have a U.S. DL. And no they don't much care if they are from the same State.

Just because you were not cited or worse doesn't mean anything.

Who knows what a Cali cop would say if you drove your SD registered car into the States with a Mexican DL.

p.s. Technically, as the new laws apparently read, if you are a Permanent Resident of Mexico you are not allowed to drive a US plated vehicle. TBD if that ever gets enforced.

Here's to knocking on wood that if and when that happens it aint any of us.

Kgryfon - 1-21-2014 at 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dasubergeek
Make sure to call the CA DMV three times and then pick which of the four answers you like best.

Well, got that right! Even if you show them in clear English, from their own website, they still don't get it sometimes...had to transfer a bunch of stuff from my parent's estate recently. Of all the work I had to do as executor of their trust, CA DMV was the biggest pain in the rear. I finally just started going straight to the headquarters in Sac because the local offices were just...stupid. Badly trained. Unable to think logically. Whatever the source of the problem was, it was a total waste of time dealing with them!

Kgryfon - 1-21-2014 at 10:07 PM

Quote:

Trying not to be in internet #rick on this, but, can you document a source? cheers

I stand corrected! Here's the actual policy:

http://dor.sd.gov/Motor_Vehicles/Non_Resident_Information/PD...

and guidance:

http://dor.sd.gov/Motor_Vehicles/Non_Resident_Information/PD...

Ca dmv

captkw - 1-21-2014 at 10:29 PM

two offices two answers...had a sorta frind that worked at the los gotas ca. DMV for many years..On more than one occasion he stated " my job (at dmv) is to give you the least information and get the money from you" quote/unquote...YA Think ??..your asking a damn good question though.. I know that the motherland (ca) wants you after 15 days of being in the state wants you to bend over and do everthing like reg new plates..DL.smog,, if you from out of state and not military...most folks blow them off !! just don't get stopped !! might want to call a consulate on both sides of the border....Question??= why does my jap made radio in my Sweden made car still thinks it's in Mexico ?? LOL...K&T :cool:

Pescador - 1-22-2014 at 08:49 AM

The most important point is being missed here. It is not legal to drive a SD plated car or any US registered car with a Mexican Drivers License. You can get a Onapaffa or Anapromex license and be OK, but with a Mexican license, it does not.

"your papers PLEEZ"

captkw - 1-22-2014 at 09:39 AM

In 1949 at the Geneva convention over 100 countrys signed on to a universel DL...mexico and the USA were part of that !! so has the courts,,,laws somehow been passed by ??? The "Mother Land...CA" seems to think it runs the planet....I'M moving to Russia...where I can still be a free man !!

bajaguy - 1-22-2014 at 10:05 AM

It's called an "International Drivers License", you can get them from the Automobile Club for about $5....however, you still need a valid drivers license from someplace for the int'l license to be legal/valid.

Quote:

Originally posted by captkw
In 1949 at the Geneva convention over 100 countrys signed on to a universel DL...mexico and the USA were part of that !! so has the courts,,,laws somehow been passed by ??? The "Mother Land...CA" seems to think it runs the planet....I'M moving to Russia...where I can still be a free man !!

Osprey - 1-22-2014 at 02:56 PM

The International Driver's License is recognized only as a means of identification. If they were valid to drive in countries all over the globe, we would all get one wouldn't we?

IDP

bajaguy - 1-22-2014 at 04:26 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Driving_Permit

Quote:

Originally posted by Osprey
The International Driver's License is recognized only as a means of identification. If they were valid to drive in countries all over the globe, we would all get one wouldn't we?

Osprey - 1-22-2014 at 06:58 PM

Bajaguy, read the Wiki: you gots to have a valid driver's license to get an International Driving Permit. Duh!

DUH????

bajaguy - 1-22-2014 at 07:02 PM

Read my post of 1-22-2014 at 09:05 AM.....where I specifically state you need a valid drivers license to get an IDP.........duh!!

Quote:

Originally posted by Osprey
Bajaguy, read the Wiki: you gots to have a valid driver's license to get an International Driving Permit. Duh!

beachbum1A - 1-23-2014 at 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by J.P.
WHEREVER your friend decides tell him not to let his current license expire. at his age it may be difficult to get another one.
tell him to buy a Mexico car and get a mexico license :biggrin:

Affirmative on not allowing his current CA license expire! I told him this as I believe it could be a bit difficult obtaining a new license at (almost 80 y/o).

BajaBlanca - 1-23-2014 at 09:55 AM

I am sure it is a big NONO to have a calif drivers license and then have your car plated in another state. that is clearly evasion of taxes and really sounds like it could become a big headache.

maybe you could take your amigo on a road trip? Have him try for the license in South Dakota where there is probably an eye test but no driving test ????