What is involved in getting one ? What is the cost ?
driving
fishinrich - 2-19-2005 at 03:19 PM
Price--You have to prove you live in baja when you go to the dmv. In buena vista there are no street addresses so utility bills and cell phone
statements worked for me. I get my license in santiago and the price was I believe 338pesos and is good for three years with a small renewal fee each
year. There is no test or driving skills to perform, just walk in give them two small pictures of yourself, one for the license and the other for
there files, pay, and the license is yours. I am sure it is different in larger metropoliton areas. fishin richlizard lips - 2-19-2005 at 05:34 PM
In Ensenada Americans must produce either an FM2 or 3 to obtain one. They really follow this to the tee. I also suggest if you are driving a car with
American plates and are pulled over show your American License. Do not show your Mexican License. You must present your American license when you are
driving your American plated vehicle.MrBillM - 2-20-2005 at 02:11 PM
A neighbor of mine got his in San Felipe. He has an FM-3.
He was required to go to the Red Cross for a health statement. That part of it consisted of the official asking him how he felt and whether he had
any problems. He then went back and took a written test on a computer terminal. The test was in Spanish, but he was allowed to have his Mexican
spouse sit next to him and translate.
Obviously, methods and requirements vary from town to town.Dave - 2-20-2005 at 02:35 PM
In Rosarito I was told I needed a statement from the Mayor that I was a resident in good standing. This consisted of my presenting my credentials,
FM3, passport and proof of residence.
Of course I never needed to use it. Went in the license office, filled out the form, got my picture taken, paid the fee and got the license. No test,
ID, nada. El Jefe - 2-20-2005 at 02:42 PM
L Lips, how come is it that you would show your US license if driving a US plated car? If that is the case there would be no point in having a Mex
license if you kept your cars plated in the US. Si?
[Edited on 2-20-2005 by El Jefe]bajajudy - 2-20-2005 at 03:33 PM
Here is Los Cabos, you have to have an FM3 and have proof of your blood type.tim40 - 2-20-2005 at 03:44 PM
Wholly unrelated, but an exacting example of why I love Mexico/Baja....No two things are alike. Adventure that our grand parents grew up with!
El Jefe Question
MrBillM - 2-20-2005 at 06:13 PM
The ONLY reason to have a Mexican Drivers License is to drive a Mex registered vehicle. If the vehicle is U.S. Registered, the licensed driver must
be also. The same holds true for a Mexican registered vehicle.
Although I had known this for years, an article in the L.A. Times a number of years back pointed this out. A San Diego businessman who also had a
plant facility in Tijauna with a Mexican partner gave the keys to his Brand-New Chevy Surburban to his Mexican partner to go out to the airport to
pick up a package for the business. The partner ran into a roadblock and the Chevy was confiscated.
Driving test in Loreto
capn.sharky - 2-21-2005 at 08:50 AM
You must take a test. You have to run four 4-way stops and a red light without hitting someone. Also, you must have no muffler or at minimum and
really loud muffler on your car. Then they hold a mirror under your nose to see if you are breathing. If so --- you pass and get your license.
I got mine in Rosarito
jrbaja - 2-21-2005 at 11:16 AM
took a written test which I passed but also had to take a test omn the computer at the DMV which I didnt understand.
So, one of the guys took it for me and only got an 80%. Naturally I complained about the poor score but he passed me anyway.
Both my vehicles are registered in the u.s. and whenever I get pulled over, I show my Mexican license. Seldom do I have to pay for doing something
wrong and Im not sure of the reason but, a Mexican drivers license works for vehicles registered in either country as long as you obtain it legally.
As in having some sort of resident status be it FM3, FM2 or whatever.MrBillM - 2-21-2005 at 01:12 PM
While we all know that a part of The Baja experience is the random and accomadating way in which the laws are usually enforced, the prudent course is
to comply with the laws as written unless you are willing to accept the consequences of doing otherwise. If I had a vehicle that I didn't want
impounded for fines, I would be sure that I followed the law.azusa_bob - 2-21-2005 at 01:13 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by jrbaja
but also had to take a test omn the computer at the DMV which I didnt understand.
Obviously, the test
"omn" the computer was in Spanish! :moon::moon:Dave - 2-21-2005 at 03:04 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by jrbaja
a Mexican drivers license works for vehicles registered in either country
It only works with pizzachit cars and vans. New vehicles are confiscated.bajalou - 2-21-2005 at 03:14 PM
Locals (nationals with Mex dr licenses) hired a friend with US license to drive a truck to US - their truck had US plates and they didn't want to
loose it.
dono - 2-22-2005 at 08:03 AM
I have rented cars in the U.S. using my Mexican drivers license.
dono
MrBillM - 2-22-2005 at 10:20 AM
In that instance, of course, you are dealing with U.S. Law and not Mexican law.
Dave,
jrbaja - 2-22-2005 at 05:05 PM
Obviously you are familiar with my cars!
But then, if you lived where I live, drive where I drive, and do the things I do, you would understand why it would be pretty stupid to have it any
other way.
Ill be driven these dungmobiles till the bamboo replacement parts quit workin!
Sooo cool you said that!
flyfishinPam - 2-24-2005 at 12:18 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by tim40
Wholly unrelated, but an exacting example of why I love Mexico/Baja....No two things are alike. Adventure that our grand parents grew up with!
I was thinking about how my grandmother lived about 100 years ago...I used to ask "what was it like before electricity?" "what was it like before
running water?"
Then I realize I'm here and some things haven't changed. I live in an area without water or electricity. I rely on modern technology to get me
through the inconvienence. But in the campo outside Acapulco right now my mother in law is living like folks did about 100 years ago, feching water
in a nearby stream, washing clothes in the river, riding a mule long distances. Some things haven't changed. And many parts of Baja are still this
way. Even in the cities here, life is one adventure after another. Lack of too many rules and inconsistent enforcement of what ones there are is
actually somewhat entertaining to live with.
I don't have a USA license anymore. Could I drive up there now, or should I get an international license? Ahhh, what do I care?Bruce R Leech - 2-24-2005 at 07:32 AM
that is my way of looking at it to Pam. it is an adventure every time I do anything here it is deferent. if you cant stand change don't come to
Mexico. bajajudy - 2-24-2005 at 11:19 AM
One of my favorite things to say to people who complain about this and that.
Do you know the difference between an ordeal and an adventure????????????????
ATTITUDE
You have to have the right attitude to survive, no, to thrive here.lizard lips - 2-25-2005 at 02:30 PM
The bottom line is if you are driving an American plated vehicle you must have an American License. If you are driving a Mexican Plated Vehicle then
you must have a Mexican Drivers License. It is the law in Mexico if you are driving a car in Mexico. My vehicle was impounded here in Ensenada years
ago when my Wife was driving my car with a Mexican License. I researched the law at that time and it was correct and I dont think it has changed since
then.
and if a Mexican drives a car in the US with a valid Mexicanlicense
BajaVida - 2-25-2005 at 07:38 PM
his car is impounded AND s/he gets deportedelgatoloco - 2-25-2005 at 07:53 PM
What about American licensed driver of Mexican plated rental car??lizard lips - 2-25-2005 at 11:25 PM
Rental cars in Mexico are the only exceptionSharksbaja - 2-26-2005 at 02:22 AM
If u want a license it was very easy in Mulege. It was for me anyway. I think it was $7 or $12. Write down your name and (Mexican)address on a piece
of paper and hand it to the secretary. I don't think I even showed her an ID. Then tell her your blood type. Next, drive a few blocks and get your
photo taken at a nearby residence with a nice little studio. Then go back to the secretary give her the three photo copies. She will afix one to the
new license, keep one and u get one and then go to the lamination store and presto, good to go! Unbelievable!Braulio - 3-7-2005 at 09:41 AM
BajaVida - Sorry - but what you're saying here is just not true. I have Mexicans with only a mexican DL drive my US plated vehicles all the time in
the US - I checked with the CHP about 15 years ago and then again fairly recently. It's perfectly legal as long as they have insurance.
Mexicans get deported when they don't have the proper passport/visa - but CHP and local police really aren't interested in enforcing it unless a major
crime has been commited.
Having a Mexican drivers license
jrbaja - 3-7-2005 at 09:57 AM
and driving both vehicles with Ca. plates, I have been pulled over on numerous occasions. I show them my Mexican drivers license and it is usually a
done deal.
I figure they realize I am poor when they see the cars and license.
THANX
Price - 3-10-2005 at 01:47 PM
Thanx everyone for your input - we are going to buy a mini-van(do to 6 dogs) not a new one - we want to get the cheapest rates with the most coverage
- anyone know what it takes to get a drivers liscance in San Felipe -
