driley
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 3-4-2007
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Take a new vehicle to Baja?
For a number of months we have been planning a trip to Baja and are now ready to go. We recently got a new Jeep to tow behind our motorhome, though
and the plates have not shown up yet. We have some concerns with taking a vehicle without plates into Mexico.
Someone at Vagabundos Del Mar has told us that it would not be a requirement to have plates for Baja but that it would be for areas of the mainland.
While the issue of whether or not we would be permitted to enter is very important, we have other concerns. Specifically, are we going to be drawing
to much attention to the Jeep by not having plates? Attention from the police or others?
From those of you who have traveled in Baja, what is your opinion with taking a new vehicle without plates into Baja?
Thanks.
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baja Steve
Nomad
Posts: 469
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Bend, or
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I had a new pickup a couple of years ago and did not get my plates. I was in Baja for thre months and had no problem. Be sure to have your temp and
insurance.
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BajaDanD
Senior Nomad
Posts: 745
Registered: 8-30-2003
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I bought my Toyota Tacoma and had it in Baja a week later with out plates.
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
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Mood: Anxious to get south
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I have brought each of my trucks when new with the temp. plates into Baja without ever a problem. Even Mexicans buy new vehicles (and used) and only
have the paper plate until their plates arrive.
Have a great trip!
BTW, where ya headed?
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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surfer jim
Super Nomad
Posts: 1891
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
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I don't like the idea even if it is legal....to me it would just give ANY policeman the idea he can stop you for no tag.....
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Taco de Baja
Super Nomad
Posts: 1913
Registered: 4-14-2004
Location: Behind the Orange Curtain, CA
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Mood: Dreamin' of Baja
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I brought my Tacoma into Baja back in 1996 when it was less than a month old. No issues. I simply used the temporary vehicle permit that the dealer
tapes to the window to get the insurance.
Besides, the sooner you get the Baja pin striping put on the better 
Truth generally lies in the coordination of antagonistic opinions
-Herbert Spencer
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fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
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Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
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30 minutes is about the ammount of time we wait after buying a brand new or used car to get home in Baja California, and yes you can buy mexican
insurance.
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I took my new Tacoma to Baja the very day I got it!!!
Here it is the next day on the beach near El Rosario...
(notice no plates)
I called Discover Baja Travel Club who handles my annual insurance and they printed out an ammended policy and taped to their door as I was going to
be passing their office after they closed... no problemo!
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Crusoe
Senior Nomad
Posts: 731
Registered: 10-14-2006
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Over the years I have been stopped 3 times .......Once in La Rivera and twice in La Paz for expired tabs and have had to "pay the man"...
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bajamigo
Super Nomad
Posts: 1218
Registered: 6-17-2006
Location: Punta Banda, BC
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Mood: hubimos llegado
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You gotta pay somebody.
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3718
Registered: 9-8-2003
Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
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Mood: muy amable
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I asked the same question two years ago
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=9746#pid73357
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larry
Nomad
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Registered: 8-22-2005
Location: Orinda, CA
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I am in California. I bought a used Suburban from a dealer in December to take to Baja. The plates came in the mail in three days after purchase.
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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"Even Mexicans buy new vehicles"
No way Guerro! Who told you that? 
Lic plate no necessario
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
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Mood: Anxious to get south
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Sharksbaja
"Even Mexicans buy new vehicles"
No way Guerro! Who told you that?
Lic plate no necessario |
Saw one once, a LOBO
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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BajaGeoff
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 1-11-2006
Location: San Diego and Campo Lopez
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Mood: Heading To Baja!!!
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From an insurance standpoint it is perfectly legal and not a problem to take a vehicle without plates. We simply insert "NewCar" in the license plate
field for the insurance paperwork.
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driley
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 3-4-2007
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Thanks for everyone's input.
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driley
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 3-4-2007
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
I took my new Tacoma to Baja the very day I got it!!!
Here it is the next day on the beach near El Rosario...
(notice no plates)
I called Discover Baja Travel Club who handles my annual insurance and they printed out an ammended policy and taped to their door as I was going to
be passing their office after they closed... no problemo! |
Of course the plates showed up the day before we left. Here is a pic of the Jeep happy on a beach in Mexico.
[Edited on 3-31-2007 by driley]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Please give us an occaisional report on your Unlimited JK Wrangler... How it works for you, problems, the things you like about it, etc.
I am a former Jeep owner, and still have passionate feelings for them (historically the first SUVs)! I drive Toyota now because they just never give
out, fail, have problems, etc. (so far)!!
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mikeintj
Junior Nomad
Posts: 45
Registered: 8-27-2006
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this question brings back memories!
I bought a car in San Diego and drove around Tijuana/ Rosarito every day for 2 months without plates no problem. Then, one day along the free road
between Tijuana and Rosarito I drove past a parked federal police car. As soon as I drove past the cops pulled out and I knew they were after me
because of the plates.
Sure enough they pulled me over and told me my car was illegal (even though I had the insurance paper stuck to my window, as is required in the US for
cars without plates). They told me I had to pay them so we agreed on a 40 bucks bribe. What struck me about this was that although I have been asked
many times for bribes in and around Tijuana, usually the cops want the money out of sight. These cops did not. They counted the money in full view of
the many passing cars.
The very next day I was driving along the very same stretch of road and saw a police car parked in the same place. Yep, sure enough as soon as I drove
past the cop car pulled out, lights flashing and demanded I pulled over. This time, the cop was a very honest and upright cop who did not ask for a
bribe and gave me a full ticket for having no plates (about $80, if paid promptly - mine wasn't!). Despite my asking him many times if we could settle
here at the roadside (i.e. take the bribe dude), he refused. Just my luck to run into one of the few honest cops in Tijuana!
So, after driving with no plates for 2 months with no problems, I got ticketed on two consecutive days for this offence.
The very next day I went straight to the DVLA to get some plates, which they gave me on the spot. I recommend you do the same prior to coming to Baja.
[Edited on 3-31-2007 by mikeintj]
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