BajaNomad

Driving down to Baja

The Poopers - 7-18-2022 at 12:50 PM

Help please, planning to drive down from Canada after doing our permanent residence at the consulate and complete when we get to La Paz, BCS.

Want to bring our car in (not eligible for import made in Germany) want to bring it in on our Canadian plates and return north after the residence is complete.

I don't think I can get a temporary import permit if we are entering on the permanent residence visa? But also heard I don't need a TIP if we stay in Baja as a free zone? Can anyone help?

SFandH - 7-18-2022 at 12:58 PM

You don't need a TIP for a car in Baja.

The Poopers - 7-18-2022 at 01:22 PM

thanks much appreciated

surabi - 7-18-2022 at 03:30 PM

Perhaps it works differently in Baja, but in the rest of Mexico, a TIP has nothing to do with it. It is illegal for a permanent resident to drive a foreign-plated car in Mexico. As soon as your permanent residency is competed in-country, your vehicle is here illegally.

gnukid - 7-18-2022 at 03:46 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi  
Perhaps it works differently in Baja, but in the rest of Mexico, a TIP has nothing to do with it. It is illegal for a permanent resident to drive a foreign-plated car in Mexico. As soon as your permanent residency is competed in-country, your vehicle is here illegally.


Of course, Surabi is totally incorrect, A permanent resident holder in Mexico may not apply and receive a TIP to drive a foreign plated vehicle in the restricted zone which is below Sonora. PR may drive foreign plated in the Frontereza and of course thousands do and have never been cited for infraction because none exists. There are different rules for Frontereza versus Restricted zone for temporary vehicle importation. Another person for example wife, who is not a PR could apply for TIP for the vehicle to transit to Restricted zone. The vehicle is not illegal, nor the driver, there is a only a restriction against applying for TIP for PR holder. Many exceptions exist.

David K - 7-18-2022 at 04:16 PM

Let's also congratulate The Poopers for asking about "Driving down to Baja" instead of the typical Canadian, "Driving down to 'the' Baja"!!

Your first step in our multi-step BA* has been passed!

*Bajaholics Annonymous

Chup - 7-18-2022 at 04:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by gnukid  
Quote: Originally posted by surabi  
Perhaps it works differently in Baja, but in the rest of Mexico, a TIP has nothing to do with it. It is illegal for a permanent resident to drive a foreign-plated car in Mexico. As soon as your permanent residency is competed in-country, your vehicle is here illegally.


Of course, Surabi is totally incorrect, A permanent resident holder in Mexico may not apply and receive a TIP to drive a foreign plated vehicle in the restricted zone which is below Sonora. PR may drive foreign plated in the Frontereza and of course thousands do and have never been cited for infraction because none exists. There are different rules for Frontereza versus Restricted zone for temporary vehicle importation. Another person for example wife, who is not a PR could apply for TIP for the vehicle to transit to Restricted zone. The vehicle is not illegal, nor the driver, there is a only a restriction against applying for TIP for PR holder. Many exceptions exist.



Quite the takedown...Is that really necessary? How about just clarify the possible error and not take this to a personal level?

JDCanuck - 7-18-2022 at 06:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by gnukid  


Of course, Surabi is totally incorrect, A permanent resident holder in Mexico may not apply and receive a TIP to drive a foreign plated vehicle in the restricted zone which is below Sonora. PR may drive foreign plated in the Frontereza and of course thousands do and have never been cited for infraction because none exists. There are different rules for Frontereza versus Restricted zone for temporary vehicle importation. Another person for example wife, who is not a PR could apply for TIP for the vehicle to transit to Restricted zone. The vehicle is not illegal, nor the driver, there is a only a restriction against applying for TIP for PR holder. Many exceptions exist.



Thanks Gnukid: That answers a whole lot of questions for us as well, as we have access to both the Canadian vehicle we are driving down to leave and another Baja plated one we leave there as well. Gets confusing at times to say the least.

Alm - 7-18-2022 at 06:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Chup  

Quite the takedown...Is that really necessary? How about just clarify the possible error and not take this to a personal level?

This is Gnukid, it happened many times before.

There was hardly an error in Surabi's post. TIP has nothing to do with this and yes, it is illegal for a permanent resident to drive a foreign-plated car in "Mexico" - according to the federal law, and perhaps it works differently in Baja.

[Edited on 7-19-2022 by Alm]

4x4abc - 7-18-2022 at 07:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Let's also congratulate The Poopers for asking about "Driving down to Baja" instead of the typical Canadian, "Driving down to 'the' Baja"!!

Your first step in our multi-step BA* has been passed!

*Bajaholics Annonymous



give it up David!

even the Mexicans are now calling "it" La Baja.

willardguy - 7-18-2022 at 07:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Let's also congratulate The Poopers for asking about "Driving down to Baja" instead of the typical Canadian, "Driving down to 'the' Baja"!!

Your first step in our multi-step BA* has been passed!

*Bajaholics Annonymous



give it up David!

even the Mexicans are now calling "it" La Baja.


its just "the david" its never gonna change....:rolleyes:

Is this about driving restrictions, or ownership restrictions?

AKgringo - 7-18-2022 at 07:22 PM

I am not a permanent resident, and don't see that in my future, but I have a curious nature. Is a PR prohibited from driving any foreign plated vehicle, or just prohibited from having one registered in their name?

surabi - 7-18-2022 at 07:22 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Alm  
Quote: Originally posted by Chup  

Quite the takedown...Is that really necessary? How about just clarify the possible error and not take this to a personal level?

This is Gnukid, it happened many times before.

There was hardly an error in Surabi's post. TIP has nothing to do with this and yes, it is illegal for a permanent resident to drive a foreign-plated car in "Mexico" - according to the federal law, and perhaps it works differently in Baja.

[Edited on 7-19-2022 by Alm]


Thanks, Alm and Chup. As usual, gnukid has to think he is correct.

First of all, I prefaced my post with "It may be different in Baja". And a TIP has nothing to do with permanent residents. PRs do not get a TIP when they drive into Mexico, regardless of where they enter.

And I would like to see someone produce something official that says a PR can legally drive a foreign plated vehicle in Baja or the Free Zone (just because Baja cops or Aduana don't enforce something doesn't mean it's legal). All the info I have found only pertains to the Free Zone in regards to TIPs.

Also, I posted that for the benefit of the OP, in case they should get a notion to take the ferry to the mainland with their car, which won't be allowed.

[Edited on 7-19-2022 by surabi]

surabi - 7-18-2022 at 07:26 PM

When someone refers to it as "The Baja", to me, they are just using that as a shortening of "The Baja Peninsula". That's different than calling it "The California".

One that's worse is "The Ukraine". It's Ukraine, no "the".

surabi - 7-18-2022 at 07:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
I am not a permanent resident, and don't see that in my future, but I have a curious nature. Is a PR prohibited from driving any foreign plated vehicle, or just prohibited from having one registered in their name?


Good question and one I've never seen asked or answered before, and I couldn't tell you. That would be a question for Aduana, because I can't find anything online which addresses that.
Mexican citizens are not legally allowed to drive foreign plated vehicles, so they might consider the same for PRs.

FYI a PR is not prohibited from having a foreign plated vehicle registered in their name and the vehicle in Mexico, they just aren't allowed to drive it. There are some PRs who transitioned from TR within Mexico, and have the foreign plated vehicle they originally drove down parked, sometimes for years, while they figure out what to do with it. In order for it to be driven back up to the border, at least on the mainland, they, or whoever was driving it, would need to get a Returno Seguro in case they got stopped.

JDCanuck - 7-18-2022 at 10:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho  
Quote: Originally posted by surabi  
Mexican citizens are not legally allowed to drive foreign plated vehicles,

You sure about that? From somewhere I had the idea that it's permitted if the (foreign) owner is in the vehicle.


This is what my Mexican Insurer states:
https://www.bajabound.com/before/permits/mexicandrivers

Important: Although some Mexican policies do cover Mexican licensed drivers, it is important that a U.S. citizen is still present in the vehicle. The Mexican authorities in Northern Baja have been cracking down on Mexican citizens driving U.S. plated vehicles without a U.S. citizen inside the vehicle. Vehicles have been confiscated and insurance does not cover this risk.





[Edited on 7-23-2022 by JDCanuck]

gnukid - 7-19-2022 at 04:30 AM

Instead of adding speculative misinformation upon misinformation, refer to the Aduana site which is available in English, for Frontereza, BC, BCS and Border to Sonora and cite the restriction or a specific report of individual infraction reported in the news?

Or search this site and see the endless references I have already provided over years to try to reduce misinformation here which apparently is a passion for incel senior Nomads.

Note that there are tens of thousands of PR who transit back and forth across the border with reciprocal privilege to do so, otherwise there would be a parking lot at the border where all PR and dual citizens would have to park their car, and get into another car to proceed, which is absurd, and of course is not happening. PR drive back and forth all day long, legally.

The only issue is that PR visa holder can not use that Visa as a qualification for TIP, to go to Mainland and DF, but another family member who is non PR may do so. Other restrictions also apply on driving days depending online plate number due to traffic.

As well you will note exceptions to allow Mexicans, Family, relationships by marriage allow them to transit driving the vehicle, otherwise all those cars would have to be parked in a parking lot at the border and the PR registered owner would have to have a second car there, to transit.

Please refer to Aduana site, refer to actual documentation, news and not speculate.

In reality, of course, there has never ever been a case of any PR or Inmigrado cited by a Aduana restriction for driving their legal vehicle in the Frontereza, the idea that this is an issue is absolutely absurd.


[Edited on 7-19-2022 by gnukid]

The Poopers - 7-19-2022 at 07:18 AM

Wow thanks everyone, I think we have the info requested now. I feel like we lit the fuse on something here, hopefully you all stay friends.

David K - 7-19-2022 at 07:32 AM

Quote: Originally posted by The Poopers  
Wow thanks everyone, I think we have the info requested now. I feel like we lit the fuse on something here, hopefully you all stay friends.


Glad to have you on board, on "The Nomad"! :lol:

pauldavidmena - 7-19-2022 at 07:52 AM

Quote: Originally posted by The Poopers  
Wow thanks everyone, I think we have the info requested now. I feel like we lit the fuse on something here, hopefully you all stay friends.


Welcome to BajaNomad! You'll find that even the most innocuous of topics can degenerate into a Hatfield-McCoy style feud within only a few posts. The trick is to separate the chaff from the wheat and to not to get drawn into the crossfire.

Who are you calling chaff?

AKgringo - 7-19-2022 at 08:04 AM

Oh wait....I see what you mean. I'll try not to do it again!

pauldavidmena - 7-19-2022 at 09:34 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Oh wait....I see what you mean. I'll try not to do it again!


You are certainly not chaff! The occasional detour is fine, and in fact often leads to some worthy diversions - a bit like off-roading. :yes:

bajatrailrider - 7-19-2022 at 06:02 PM

At least in north Baja you will never have a problem . Driving US plated car with PR. Law or not haha I asked my Mex cop amigo. He said we have more things to worry about. Also had no clue about this Im driving Us plated trucks 15 years. Next door to me 40 years driving US plated trucks w PR

eastmeetswest - 7-24-2022 at 06:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Let's also congratulate The Poopers for asking about "Driving down to Baja" instead of the typical Canadian, "Driving down to 'the' Baja"!!

Your first step in our multi-step BA* has been passed!

*Bajaholics Annonymous



But we are from The North!:spingrin::tumble: