BajaHopeful
Newbie
Posts: 2
Registered: 12-30-2013
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Some Questions Regarding Driving & Car Ownership in Baja
I am planning on moving to Baja this summer and I have a couple of questions regarding driving.
Is there much parking available near the border crossing (San Ysidro) if I wanted to leave my car in Mexico and walk across the border to then take
the SD trolley?
Do I need a Mexican driver's license in Baja or is a California driver's license ok as long as you're within 20 miles of the border? Even if it's not
specifically required, would you recommend I have a Mexican drivers license? To get your license is it a similar process to the U.S. (classes, road
test, written test, etc.)?
How much does it cost to register/insure a vehicle (on average)? Are there any other requirements, like inspections, smog testing, etc. that would
need to be taken care of for legal vehicle ownership?
If it makes any difference, I do not plan on ever driving said vehicle in the U.S....
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Casey67
Junior Nomad
Posts: 75
Registered: 4-4-2009
Location: Bahia Concepcion
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Mood: Baja Hot
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If you're just on a tourist visa, you can drive no problem with foreign car/license no problem. You just need basic liability at a minimum.
Insurance for Mexico only is $120-$200 for basic liability for a year. Comprehensive, theft etc varies with the vehicle value and might be an
additional $200-$500 depending on deductibles and limits etc.
Inspections and smog testing? Heh, no.
Registering a vehicle, and mex drivers license are a pain in the butt and only necessary with some resident visas or citizenship. Don't bother unless
you have to. If you search the forum you may find more info on this.
Edit: Yes, good gated parking in TJ near the border for roughly $7 per day.
[Edited on 30-12-2013 by Casey67]
A rose by any other name is still just rice
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dasubergeek
Senior Nomad
Posts: 694
Registered: 8-17-2013
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Actually, they do do smog testing... http://www.spabc.gob.mx/noticias/view/id/43/dep/0
But not necessary if you keep your US plate on the car.
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apple
Nomad
Posts: 284
Registered: 11-4-2013
Location: SD
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You don't need a visa for the car or anything else as long as you stay in Baja, and don't take it to the Mainland.
While in Mexico your car should retain current registration in America, to avoid returning to California once a year (or is it every other year?) most
Americans register their cars in South Dakota, where there are no residency, insurance or smog requirements. There are a bunch of companies out there
that will help you do it, like these guys http://www.americas-mailbox.com/home/tips/vehicle-registrati...
You also need Mexican car insurance, which as others have mentioned is cheap.
To get a Mexican driver's license you need to get Resident Status first, and then you would need to import your vehicle. Both of which are a hassle
and unnecessary.
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
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Mood: thriving in Baja
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Apple is 100% correct on everything he said. However, you don't really need help to get S.D> registration on your car, just go to https://www.govteller.com/Pay.aspx?mid=71856572001
Bob Durrell
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BajaHopeful
Newbie
Posts: 2
Registered: 12-30-2013
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Thanks you all for the info!
I was planning on getting a Temporary Resident Visa (used to be called an FM3, I think?) just because I don't know how long I'm going to stay in
Baja; it might be more than 6 months if I really like it. But then again I may not like it as much as I thought and only stay for 3 or 4 months. I
dunno, maybe I will just get the visitor visa so I can keep my US license and then "upgrade" to the Temp Resident if I decide to stay longer.
What if I don't have a car at all, do I really need one? I would be living in TJ, either in the city close to the border (Zona Rio, Hipodromo were
recommended to me) or in the playas neighborhood by the water. Is there much for public transportation in TJ (like buses)? I've read a bit about the
cabs and the advice that you should only take a certain kind that is regulated by the city. What about car pooling? I'm know there are a ton of
commuters going to SD are there opportunities to set up a pool or do people mostly drive themselves?
Basically, I don't want to have to drive over the border because of the length of wait and I understand it's much faster to be on foot. Once I get in
San Diego, public transport isn't a problem; I can ride the trolley to where I need to go.
Thanks again for all the input. I'm just exploring all my options and mulling things over right now since I have a few months yet before an actual
move.
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