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capitolkat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 510
Registered: 3-9-2006
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Mitch--I think that the rules are in flux- the ones for Baja are never going to align with those from the mainland as they start from different
points- you had to have a TIP on the mainland, not in Baja. Like the folks you talked to at IMS- the general feeling is no need to replate your car
for a RP. Recently one of the popular locals who helps with visas was quoted on a la Paz site that there is no requirement for a change to Mexican
plates with the RP. Another poster contacted his insurance agent _ Lewis and Lewis- and they confirmed no need to change plates just because of the
RP.
I'll probably get my RP in the next few weeks ( application has been in for a couple of weeks) and I think that with all the information on the
subject- I do not plan to worry until something definitive is issued. Baja has always been a free zone- and nothing has changed that. That is the
primary regulation that is in play and no one I've seen in any position of authority in Baja has said different.
The IMS officials you talked to said the same, the local who handles many/ many visa applications said the same. Lewis and Lewis who insure countless
vehicles said no need to replate. You know if you confront Mexican officials they can waffle- but I take their first answer as the one they believe.
I've not seen a single RP holder who has had a problem in Baja.
That's my position and I'm sticking to it just like filing the foreign trust docs. You never needed to file them if all you had was a residence held
by fidecomiso. The IRS recently confirmed that position. sometimes we beat ourselves to death trying to jump through hoops that aren't even there.
Despite the clarification by the IRS some folks still file the foreign trust docs- go figure why??-- Looking for problems that aren't there-?maybe.
Life is too short to drink bad wine
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karenintx
Senior Nomad
Posts: 538
Registered: 3-16-2008
Location: CSL
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Mood: Living The Dream
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Quote: | Originally posted by Pescador
In my research, I come pretty much to the same conclusion that Lewis and Lewis has shared, that if you get citizenship, the issue is clear, but not so
much with the New Residente Permanente. |
Not trying to muddy the waters but when talking about this with the hubby his remark was..."so how do you explain all the Mexican citizens you see
driving (in CSL, SJD,T/S area) a vehicle with California license plates? Do you think their cars are illegal and if they were, don't you think the
Feds/Police would jump on that bandwagon?"
About three months ago we were at Cabo Mail Box, talking with the owner about USA/ Mexican plated vehicles. He is married to a Mexican citizen and
she works in the office. She explained to us that she is stopped all the time when she is driving her USA plated vehicle and is required to prove the
car is titled/registered in her name and that she has a USA DL. She explained "of course they are looking for a mordida" which she does not pay, but
in the end she drives away with her vehicle, USA DL, title/registration and the only thing she has lost is her time.
OK, now I will muddy the waters. Here is our situation.
1. South Dakota Plates
2. Just received our R/P
3. Have Texas DL
4. Currently have an expired "TIP" sticker on our windshield.
So what are we to do? If we take the sticker off the windshield would the Feds/Police know about the sticker...is it in their computers? Chances of
this vehicle going back to the USA are slim to none but if it did we would drive it up The Baja, not over to the mainland via the ferry.
Edited to add;
When we inquired @ CSL INM about a R/P having to get Mexican plates the agent said "INM has nothing to do with cars, INM only wants to know that you
are in this country legally so you would need to ask the Police this question."
I guess when you think about the agents statement, that is true. I don't think the USA Immigration concerns itself with license plates but then I
could be wrong.
[Edited on 7-15-2013 by karenintx]
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redmesa
Senior Nomad
Posts: 580
Registered: 3-12-2008
Location: Van Isle and Bahia Asuncion
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My 2 cents... They check sometimes here in Bahia Asuncion for titles but only want to see that you have title and a drivers license. If it matches
then everything seems okay. They even did this at the border coming down this last time. I think they are mainly looking for stolen vehicles etc.
They never have asked for any other papers. I know that some Mexican friends really avoid the stops. They are driving iffy registered cars and
probably no insurance or DL. I have even seen a preteen boy driving a huge semi with trailer around town. I just wait until someone tells me to do
something and then if I am late I beg stupidity defense. Now, if you are on the water that is another story.
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Alan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1626
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Yucaipa, CA/La Paz
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Mike, I know that they CAN ask for your visa or immigration status at any time but in actual practice the only times I have ever been asked to show my
visa (for me an FMM) was once at the Guererro Negro Ag Check Station and of course at the airport when boarding a return flight. You have current CA
plated vehicles and a current CA Driver's license. I would think the odds are exremely miniscule that it will ever become an issue for you.
In Memory of E-57
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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3511
Registered: 8-27-2003
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Quote: | Originally posted by MitchMan
Santiago,
How is it that the title has both their names on it but that the corporation owns it? Are you saying that all three own the sedan in some kind of
co-tenancy ownership? |
Sorry: the sedan is owned by the individuals; the truck is owned by the corp.
I suggest a test on the insurance. Go put your truck in storage and then turn it in as stolen and see what happens.
OK, prolly not a good idea but it would get the ball rolling.
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MitchMan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1856
Registered: 3-9-2009
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Thank you for all the responses. Nomads are great...and very savvy.
I must admit that your responses have made me breath a bit easier on this matter. It looks like the bottom line is as most of you have insinuated and
that is "don't sweat it at this time". Like I said before, I do believe that there is strength in numbers and most all of you are in accord with each
other.
Very helpful, I am very grateful for the input. I am in communication with a Mexican attorney who is officially looking into the situation in La Paz.
I will keep you posted on anything new that learn.
MitchMan
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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I had a problem years ago getting into Sonora with a vehicle that was registered with two names. So instead of vacationing in Sonora, I came to Baja
because it was a free zone with regard to vehicles. After driving the length of the peninsula, I figured I would try to get on the ferry at La Paz
and sure enough, they accepted the paperwork and title that was rejected in Sonora. The mainland has always had an issue with what is allowed in
terms of cars and they have checked the residency status of people and sometimes will not allow a vehicle plated in the US with a permanent resident
or the old inmagrado.
I do not believe that is happening in the Baja either north or south and I suspect that no one, at this time, is into enforcing anything else.
So yes, I drive a SD plated car, Boat trailer, Truck, and cargo trailer, with a Colorado Drivers License and travel all over the peninsula with any
or all of those vehicles. Until such time as I begin to hear otherwise, I will continue to do so. I have asked the question of official people in
Immigration, Aduana, court, police, and Federal Police and never have I heard anything different.
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Very different here than on the mainland as far as APPLICATION of the law.
I don't ask a fireman whether it's legal to carry a loaded firearm, nor do I ask a cop how to douse a kitchen grease fire.
Technically it is ILLEGAL for a residente permanente to drive anything other than a Mexican nacional or frontera motor vehicle. The law says your
permission to drive is based upon your immigration status. Driver license and license plates have to agree with your immigration status. That is how
it is keyed.
I spent three hours in the shade of a parota tree on the side of Mex 200 with a commandante de SSP reading his big black book with him. joaquin baez
is his name and he is the jefe of the Petlatlán Guerrero office of the SSP. The law is crystal clearly written. His men at the puesto de control
challenged my right to drive a motor vehicle with a valid FM-3, driver license, and expired 180-day Temporary Import Permit. Señor Baez came to my
rescue.
Written as law is that any sanctioned police officer anywhere at any time can demand to see your picture ID, your immigration legality, your motor
vehicle paperwork and permit if applicable.
HOW IT IS APPLIED is what causes the confusion.
I've said this dozens of times on this forum ASK THE PROFESSIONALS. In this case the PFP. Federal Police do not mind at all if you ask them a
question. As a matter of fact they seem to beam with pleasure. But it would be best to go directly to the PFP office in your area and ask a
supervisor.
Traffic cops cannot find their ASK with both hands, so if you want a 6th grade level of education answer ask a transito. To verify what I wrote above
as being fact ask a FEDERAL PFP officer.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Quote: | Originally posted by DavidE
The law is crystal clearly written. |
Is it only for LE eyes? Why can't we see it?
I wanna see it.
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Written crystal clear
Applied, like glops of mud, straw and manure.
I've run into too many strait-laced PFP to make me comfortable with the idea but Baja California is a different universe from Mexico. Most of the PFP
I see these days prowl between Guerrero Negro and Vizcaino altho I did see a patrulla in Asuncion a few months ago.
The OP asked a specific question and I attempted to give the best answer I could. Nothing urinates a cop off more than to be told in bad Spanish that
a law that he is legally enforcing does not exist (cabrón). It is always nice to know the reality behind the situation as one deals with the here and
now.
[Edited on 7-16-2013 by DavidE]
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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What kind of society keeps the written law from the citizenry?
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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just ask David. he has all the answers.....oops some are made up
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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Well, the Federal Police (pandas) in Santa Rosalia have a completely different interpretation and because Baja California did not require a TIP they
concur that your immigration status does not affect the legality of your automobile. I have heard from very creditible sources that there is a
problem in the other states of Mexico but the Federales told me no problem in Baja California Sur as long as the registration is current and correct.
So until I hear from some creditible source that we have a problem, I am not changing anything, especially based on some thing that happened somewhere
to someones uncle who probably had a garage full of AMWAY products, a South Dakota license plate, and a California Drivers License.
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
Member Is Offline
Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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RIGHT ON PESCADOR!
Asking the PFP their interpretation is IMHO the way to go. Why? Because it is they who can be the most strict about registration, and licenses.
RTS 551, I have answers because I ask questions of officials who know Mexican law and how it is applied. Another lesson I learned is that it is far
easier (a snap in fact) to offer vague criticism than it is to help with facts. So I prefer facts.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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LaRibereña
Nomad
Posts: 110
Registered: 8-27-2003
Location: Tehama, CA & La Ribera, BCS
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New Import Regulations for RP Holders
http://www.bajainsider.com/baja-business/importingregisterin...
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Looks like a cleverly designed ad to drum up business for ACV..........
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