BajaNomad

Buying a Mexican Plated Car

Beagle - 6-8-2019 at 03:15 AM

TOTAL EDIT- I maybe had too long of a question and it could have been confusing as to what I was asking. Edit Below:

Restating the question as I see maybe it was too long and maybe confusing. I'l shorten it for practical reasons. I will Edit up above as well.

Particular Vehicle I want to purchase.

Has California Plates but a mexican sticker in upper windshield....

Here's the question(s):

If it's a Baja Sur Registered Vehicle....

1)Does this mean that I cannot drive it without the Mexican Driver's License? I would be using it in San Juanico mainly.

2)Is there no point in even buying it till I have a MX License or is there a grace period where I can drive it while I'm waiting to get the Mex License?

3)And if I buy it, to drive it back to San Juanico, How would I insure it with California Plates, "afiliado" in Baja & me with a US driver's license?

Anyone with any first hand experience with this?

thank you, Nomad.

PS-yes I used the search function. Maybe this thread can help another random fool down the line.



[Edited on 6-8-2019 by Beagle]

[Edited on 6-8-2019 by Beagle]

chippy - 6-8-2019 at 07:05 AM

I wouldn´t buy it. I´m sure there are plenty of mex plated beaters down there so why risk it?

John Harper - 6-8-2019 at 07:13 AM

Have you seen any paperwork? Title or registration? I would not waste my time unless you know it's at least got a clear title. Who knows how it got from California?

John

Beagle - 6-8-2019 at 03:07 PM

Thanks for the input so far.

Restating the question as I see maybe it was too long and maybe confusing. I'l shorten it for practical reasons. I will Edit up above as well.

Particular Vehicle I want to purchase.

Has California Plates but a mexican sticker in upper windshield....

Here's the question(s):

If it's a Baja Sur registered vehicle...

1)Does this mean that I cannot drive it without the Mexican Driver's License? I would be using it in San Juanico mainly.

2)Is there no point in even buying it till I have a MX License or is there a grace period where I can drive it while I'm waiting to get the Mex License?

3)And if I buy it, to drive it back to San Juanico, How would I insure it with California Plates, "afiliado" in Baja & me with a US driver's license?

Anyone with any first hand experience with this?

thank you, Nomad.





[Edited on 6-8-2019 by Beagle]

[Edited on 6-8-2019 by Beagle]

Bob and Susan - 6-8-2019 at 07:08 PM

the vehicle is probably still titled in California
the person that owns it has "onapafa or anapromex" plates
these are political organizations protesting importation rules

as a foreigner you can not get involved in politics
so you cannot drive it with those plates

you need to re-title it in the states or take it to the border and import it if it qualifies

be aware a Mexican can get "onapafa or anapromex" plates without a title

it could be stolen or worse a repo

i'd walk away
go north and get another
or buy an imported one with "real plates"

you'll probably never have a real title with that one

Beagle - 6-8-2019 at 07:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
the vehicle is probably still titled in California
the person that owns it has "onapafa or anapromex" plates
these are political organizations protesting importation rules

as a foreigner you can not get involved in politics
so you cannot drive it with those plates

you need to re-title it in the states or take it to the border and import it if it qualifies

be aware a Mexican can get "onapafa or anapromex" plates without a title

it could be stolen or worse a repo

i'd walk away
go north and get another
or buy an imported one with "real plates"

you'll probably never have a real title with that one


That's super interesting. I'd like to learn more about that just because I'm curious. That does sound sketchy. We've just communicated via FB but I'm supposed to do a call tomorrow and he says it has a "clean title" But not sure If he and I have the same definition of that. I'll find out more and then see what happens and report back.

Thanks again!

norte - 6-9-2019 at 09:05 AM

I drove an ANAPROMEX vehicle. To get the ANAPROMEX in your name you need the title (it should come with the car even if part of the ANAPROMEX org), your immigration paper work, and a Mexican drivers license. I was stopped and checked by police...and everything was fine. I did a VIN search before purchasing which will tell you if it is stolen or not. Do not believe all the horror stories these people are telling you.

Beagle - 6-9-2019 at 02:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by norte  
I drove an ANAPROMEX vehicle. To get the ANAPROMEX in your name you need the title (it should come with the car even if part of the ANAPROMEX org), your immigration paper work, and a Mexican drivers license. I was stopped and checked by police...and everything was fine. I did a VIN search before purchasing which will tell you if it is stolen or not. Do not believe all the horror stories these people are telling you.


Ok Norte, Thank you.

Maybe that's what he's talking about. He said it has "placas California y esta Afiliado en Mexico".

Norte, you drove that with a US driver's license or did you already have a Mexican driver's license?

Don't have my Mex License yet and from what I understand, I cannot drive a Mexican plated car? Or registered? or I'm not sure...but this has California "plates" so...

Doing the phone call later to see if more is revealed.

Thank you

[Edited on 6-9-2019 by Beagle]

Beagle - 6-9-2019 at 02:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
the vehicle is probably still titled in California
the person that owns it has "onapafa or anapromex" plates
these are political organizations protesting importation rules

as a foreigner you can not get involved in politics
so you cannot drive it with those plates

you need to re-title it in the states or take it to the border and import it if it qualifies

be aware a Mexican can get "onapafa or anapromex" plates without a title

it could be stolen or worse a repo

i'd walk away
go north and get another
or buy an imported one with "real plates"

you'll probably never have a real title with that one


Another question regarding this..If it was still titled in Cali and he had the title (lets just pretend), couldn't a just peel of the Anapromex sticker and have it re-registered is South Dakota or something?

Bob and Susan - 6-9-2019 at 02:45 PM

south Dakota will register it...

the catch...
you need to insure it in the usa

anapromex and onapfa you need their DL too
but they are for Mexicans

to drive legally you need to be in the process of importation
you might have to prove that



Beagle - 6-9-2019 at 03:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
south Dakota will register it...

the catch...
you need to insure it in the usa

anapromex and onapfa you need their DL too
but they are for Mexicans

to drive legally you need to be in the process of importation
you might have to prove that





Thank you.

So If I register it in S Dakota, can I just ditch the Anapromex sticker and insure it like we do when we drive our Tacoma down with Discover Baja or another that supplies US cars with Mex insurance?

EDIT-Oh I see what you mean, I have to have US insurance to Register in S Dakota. Ahhhh that is a catch!

It's an old Land Cruiser we would just use around our little surf pueblo and maybe to and from Loreto twice a year. Too old to import I'm sure.



[Edited on 6-10-2019 by Beagle]

norte - 6-9-2019 at 04:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Beagle  
Quote: Originally posted by norte  
I drove an ANAPROMEX vehicle. To get the ANAPROMEX in your name you need the title (it should come with the car even if part of the ANAPROMEX org), your immigration paper work, and a Mexican drivers license. I was stopped and checked by police...and everything was fine. I did a VIN search before purchasing which will tell you if it is stolen or not. Do not believe all the horror stories these people are telling you.


Ok Norte, Thank you.

Maybe that's what he's talking about. He said it has "placas California y esta Afiliado en Mexico".

Norte, you drove that with a US driver's license or did you already have a Mexican driver's license?

Don't have my Mex License yet and from what I understand, I cannot drive a Mexican plated car? Or registered? or I'm not sure...but this has California "plates" so...

Doing the phone call later to see if more is revealed.

Thank you

[Edited on 6-9-2019 by Beagle]


I had to get my Mexican drivers License first. It was required for me to get the Anapromex paperwork in my name.

norte - 6-9-2019 at 04:22 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
south Dakota will register it...

the catch...
you need to insure it in the usa

anapromex and onapfa you need their DL too
but they are for Mexicans

to drive legally you need to be in the process of importation
you might have to prove that





I was issued a Mexican Drivers license using my immigration card (Immigrado at the time), proof of residency (CFE bill), and they took my picture and issued my license in La Paz. I then went to the ANAPROMEX office with the old ANAPROMEX paperwork, the title (which I retained), my license, and my immigration card. All the paperwork was transferred to my name. Along with all the rules and cautions. Of note...the current administration as agreed to lay off ANAPROMEX cars as they work out a soultion to importation of these mostly older vehicles.

oh and I am not Mexican.

Bob and Susan - 6-9-2019 at 06:08 PM

norte...someone took your money

you HAVE to be in the process of importing
i'll bet you aren't

you could easily lose your car

Beagle - 6-9-2019 at 06:11 PM

Quote: Originally posted by norte  
Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
south Dakota will register it...

the catch...
you need to insure it in the usa

anapromex and onapfa you need their DL too
but they are for Mexicans

to drive legally you need to be in the process of importation
you might have to prove that





I was issued a Mexican Drivers license using my immigration card (Immigrado at the time), proof of residency (CFE bill), and they took my picture and issued my license in La Paz. I then went to the ANAPROMEX office with the old ANAPROMEX paperwork, the title (which I retained), my license, and my immigration card. All the paperwork was transferred to my name. Along with all the rules and cautions. Of note...the current administration as agreed to lay off ANAPROMEX cars as they work out a soultion to importation of these mostly older vehicles.

oh and I am not Mexican.


Thanks Norte, That's helpful.

How do you go about getting the Mexican Insurance for it? Does it cause an issue with that?

Beagle - 6-9-2019 at 06:59 PM

I'm reading that with Anapromex you can not only not drive on the mainland or ferries (which I don't care about) but also cannot drive on Federal Highways? So you can't drive them on Hwy 1 between La Paz and Insurgentes then I guess?

norte - 6-10-2019 at 06:45 AM

Yes Bob. ANAPROMEX took my money as they have from thousands of others. Read up on what ANAPROMEX is and what they agree to do if someone tries to take your vehicle. Also read up on the administrations latest recognition of the organization.

Beagle. Normal Mexican ins...not tourist ins. No they tell you no on the ferries, mainland, or USA. Check with your local ANAPROMEX rep on other restrictions. They will tell you if there are any. As I understand it, currently the Federal Police are not bothering ANAPROMEX vehicles on Federal hwys.

John Harper - 6-10-2019 at 08:25 AM

Seems to be a lot more trouble being a cheap bastard than it's worth.

John

mjs - 6-10-2019 at 09:50 AM

Just a correction to the SD insurance requirements stated above. While you do need USA insurance if you drive in the U.S., SD does not require proof of insurance to register your vehicle or maintain registration. So no need to insure NOB if you won't take the car into the U.S.

FYI, AZ also allows you to go online and declare the vehicle is not being driven in AZ and suspended the insurance requirement while keeping the registration current.

As for MX insurance, consider a DL policy if you only need liability. Coverage for any vehicle you're driving and can be cheaper than individual policies if you have multiple vehicles. But again, is liability only.

mjs - 6-10-2019 at 09:59 AM

Also, if you plan to register in SD or another State, you need to verify the car is still in the California DMV records. You can do this online. If the vehicle is out of the system from lack of registration (10 years?) then California will require a vehicle inspection for vin verification.

It might be possible that another State will transfer the title to you if the car is out of the California database but might not. Especially if there is anything on the back of the title other than your information.

Beagle - 6-10-2019 at 10:44 AM

Yeah, I'm thinking no-go on the Anopromex. But it's been quite a learning experience. I've leaned a lot in the research over the last few days. Thanks to everyone that has contributed.

If I go with Mex plated, I need the Baja Driver's license. What's the process like in registering the car with Baja plates once it's been purchased? What's that circus look like?

Thanks again!

Bob and Susan - 6-10-2019 at 11:10 AM

governers office

IMG_2325.JPG - 157kB

Beagle - 6-10-2019 at 01:17 PM

Thanks Bob and Susan. :)

Beagle - 6-11-2019 at 01:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
governers office


I don't know some of those words but will look them up. Is this to register the vehicle? What's the actual process like? Is it several visits? Am I OK to drive in the meantime? If I just bought it, I can insure it?

Our plan is to come down and pick on up, leave at our place or in storage in Loreto and fly out till Oct.

Thanks for everyone's guidance. Hopefully this thread can help people down the line.

Lee - 6-11-2019 at 08:31 PM

When I get annual MX insurance for my vehicles (through Vagabundos), the form always requires my US insurance company name, policy number and expiration. I think it specifies that US insurance is required to get the MX policy.