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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
let's go "out of the box" and end the pain...
get a Mexican license...its about $50 bucks
no test
don't register in calif...big mistake...and why South Dakota if you are living full time in Mexico... |
Bob......don't know where you are getting your info, but in Ensenada to obtain a Baja California drivers license there is a written test, a drive
test, an eye exam, a blood type test and they may require you to have an exam by a doctor. Went through that process last year. They will also need
some other INM document other than an FMM.
Also, by claiming South Dakota residency, they will eliminate any personal state tax liability generated by income received from sources in Missouri
or anywhere else. If they claim California residency, California will tax any income received from out of state and California vehicle registration
costs/insurance/emission testing will put a rather large dent in their budget.
Nomad Udo recently went through the South Dakota process, moving from California to Baja Sur.....maybe he will add to this discussion.
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=69509
[Edited on 3-8-2014 by bajaguy]
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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Back to the beginning...
KISS IT, keep it simple is a good rule in life and Baja, especially when you're just starting out on your new adventure and for at least the first
year of your new life south of the border.
No matter how much you've visited and vacationed in Baja, circumstances are different when in-residence. You may not like it in Baja or your
circumstances may require it-- for whatever reason(s)-- you find that you must return north.
Why change anything right now? Wait 'til you're settled a bit.
If your drivers' licenses are current and cars legally registered stateside, leave 'em that way.
California registration:
You'll need a state mailing address, smog certificate and proof in insurance. Reg'n. costs are kinda pricey.
California drivers license:
You'll just need a state mailing address and pass the written exam.
South Dakota options for your cars:
You can register your cars in South Dakota easily and very inexpensively and drive them in the US and Mexico legally with a current drivers license
from any US state (no need to change your present drivers license). No smog nor proof of US insrance is required for registration.
The pros or cons of becoming a legal resident of South Dakota:
Complex and worthy of being explored as a topic for another thread.
Import your cars to Mexico:
Don't do it right now. Wait. It's expensive and it's a semi-permanent change. If, after a year or so you were to return fulltime to the US to live
you'll be faced with having to import your cars back into the USA or selling them in Mexico. No hurry, so wait on this option and think carefully!
| Quote: | Originally posted by phoenix2121
A bit of background... I joined this forum in 2008, and had intended to move to the Baja later that year. Life happened, and it kept me from doing it.
Now, we're (myself, my girlfriend and my 11-year-old son) are finally able to make the move. We've been selling stuff in our home, and we're trying to
clear out to get down to the Baja by June.
Anyway, I think we've solved most of the problems we'll face logistically, but there's one that I just can't seem to find any good info on.
We both have cars that we'll be taking with us (from St. Louis). We have no problem getting our drivers licenses renewed, as we can just hop a flight
for a visit home, and then get it renewed while we're here, but we're running into a wall when trying to figure out how we'll renew our registration
on our cars (plates) each year.
Obviously, we don't want to drive 1,000+ miles home each year to get our plates renewed, and although they offer the ability to register online, the
cars also need a safety and emissions test from a Missouri testing facility.
We have friends in California and had considered using their addresses in order to get California drivers licenses and registration, but I think they
require a proof of California address to do that, and we're obviously not living there, so we won't have what they need (a utility bill in most
cases).
I know that there are tons of people that drive on expired plates in the Baja, but this becomes an issue when we drive the car into the US to visit
friends in San Diego, or if my girlfriend decides to work in San Diego (pending Sentri pass application currently).
So, what do you folks do? Are there any "good" options here? |
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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welcome to mexico bajaguy 
here you only need to pay...they waive the tests if there is a test
no smog either
truck driver - about 870pesos
car driver - about 580 pesos
couple bucks for the picture
you do need copies of your passport
i'd still import the car...cars don't last forever...
sell it later...its probably rusted anyway if its from st Louis
not worth keeping a long time
I reregistered a couple of cars to california,,,and each time calif had an "import" tax...go figure...California likes to tax people
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phoenix2121
Junior Nomad
Posts: 85
Registered: 8-16-2008
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Thanks for this. I had no idea that after the first trip to SD I wouldn't have to visit again for a renewal. That's quite cool. Thanks.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn\'t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
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phoenix2121
Junior Nomad
Posts: 85
Registered: 8-16-2008
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
let's go "out of the box" and end the pain...
you are going to LIVE in TJ...import the car
use Mexican plates and get mex insurance
get USA insurance when you travel north
get a Mexican license...its about $50 bucks
no test
if the wife works in san diego...have here
walk across and use the trolly and
bus service
these things actually work in san diego
don't register in calif...big mistake...and why South Dakota if you are living full time in mexico... |
How much is it to import the car?
Also, I had considered this, but are the plates legal in the states when we go back? Also, don't you need a fm2 or fm3 (I know they have new names
now, just can't remember what they are) to get that?
We couldn't get either as the income requirements are steep now... It's around $2,100 per person, and $500 extra for the child. We make about $3,500
per month collectively once she quits her job for the move.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn\'t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Check the other link I posted. It's a step-by-step guide.
An added plus of a SD DL is that it is one of the few states that issues Enhanced DL's
| Quote: | Originally posted by phoenix2121
Thanks for this. I had no idea that after the first trip to SD I wouldn't have to visit again for a renewal. That's quite cool. Thanks.
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phoenix2121
Junior Nomad
Posts: 85
Registered: 8-16-2008
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Our registration is still good for about a year after moving in June, so we'll probably take the advice given and wait until that point to decide
between SD, CA, or importing the cars to Mexico.
Anyone know the costs for that? Or, if you can do it on an FMM (we don't meet the income requirements for the permanent residence)?
You guys are amazing. Thanks for all the answers and the great advice.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn\'t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
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Riom
Nomad
Posts: 492
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by phoenix2121
How much is it to import the car?
Also, I had considered this, but are the plates legal in the states when we go back? Also, don't you need a fm2 or fm3 (I know they have new names
now, just can't remember what they are) to get that?
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Last time I looked, cars made in North America that are 5-10 model years old (only) can be imported (I imported mine three years ago). Reckon on
$1000 one-off including all taxes and costs to agents, maybe $500 for a really basic older car, maybe $1500 for something great, but $1k won't be that
far off.
But, to get the plates, you'll need a BC license. To get the BC license, you'll need a residence visa (at least here in San Felipe, it does vary!)
and some tests. So if you can't get a residence visa, you can't get a license (here at least), so you can't plate the car, so don't import it.
You'll be tourists: just visit with your US-plated car.
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phoenix2121
Junior Nomad
Posts: 85
Registered: 8-16-2008
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I'd love to not be a "tourist" but the income requirements have become quite steep. Hopefully that changed quite soon. Or, is that yet another thing
that's a "rule" yet nobody actually enforces it?
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn\'t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
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Riom
Nomad
Posts: 492
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by phoenix2121
We couldn't get either as the income requirements are steep now... It's around $2,100 per person, and $500 extra for the child. We make about $3,500
per month collectively once she quits her job for the move. |
Wouldn't the spouse also be a dependent, making it $3100 total? (Temporary residence is all you need, as after 4 years it's upgraded to permanent
without having to qualify under the permanent residence figures).
Or, maybe one of you could apply initially, then (officially) bring in the others as relatives later ("vinculo familiar"). Seems to apply even to
temporary residents.
I'm out of touch with the latest rules, but Yuclandia is usually detailed and up to date. Bear in mind each local consulate and INM office may behave slightly differently.
[Edited on 2014-3-9 by Riom]
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phoenix2121
Junior Nomad
Posts: 85
Registered: 8-16-2008
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Riom
| Quote: | Originally posted by phoenix2121
We couldn't get either as the income requirements are steep now... It's around $2,100 per person, and $500 extra for the child. We make about $3,500
per month collectively once she quits her job for the move. |
Wouldn't the spouse also be a dependent, making it $3100 total? (Temporary residence is all you need, as after 4 years it's upgraded to permanent
without having to qualify under the permanent residence figures).
Or, maybe one of you could apply initially, then (officially) bring in the others as relatives later ("vinculo familiar"). Seems to apply even to
temporary residents.
I'm out of touch with the latest rules, but Yuclandia is usually detailed and up to date. Bear in mind each local consulate and INM office may behave slightly differently.
[Edited on 2014-3-9 by Riom] |
I'll look into that, thanks!
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn\'t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
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SlyOnce
Nomad
Posts: 262
Registered: 12-26-2013
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In San Ysidro, right near the border, there is a Postal Annex at Dairy Mart Road. Since you are going to be living in the border area, like me, you
don't need even a MX Tourist Visa. File paperwork at the Postal Annex to make that your legal mailing address. Its a street address not a PO Box.
You can receive packages there, they will text you when they arrive. Using that address, get a CA DL and plates. Apply for your SENTRI on your car
and for all 3 of you. You will need US car insurance, and MX insurance (my MX insurance costs under $200 a year).
During early months in Baja, you will be crossing often. You don't want mail to be sent to MX from the US.
Rent, don't buy, here in the northern border area for a while.
Get a feel for the place before you make steps that can't be retraced.
Don't overly worry about US and CA taxes, your income is low. Assuming the cars are not worth much, CA registration won't be high (you don't want to
bring a valuable car anyhow).
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tjsue
Senior Nomad
Posts: 520
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: San Diego
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I agree, get a PMB. I have one, but it close to where I use to live in Normal Heights. I didn't want to change my address, and in that area 2-3
times per week, plus it's only $78 per year. Even when I lived in San Diego, I didn't get any mail at my residence, everything goes to the PMB.
[Edited on 3-10-2014 by tjsue]
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CortezBlue
Super Nomad
Posts: 2213
Registered: 11-14-2006
Location: Fenix/San Phelipe
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www.claycountysd.org
is the best website to get your plates
I actually called them years ago and told them I was licensing a vehicle to leave in Mexico. They had no problem They told me that all I had to do
is make sure I had insurance on the vehicle if I was traveling to South Dakota
That his been about 8 years ago.
“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”
- Albert Einstein
Follow Cortez Blue
www.cortezblue.com
We put the FUNK in disFUNKtion |
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Udo
Elite Nomad
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Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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I agree with bajaguy.
The first step you need you need to handle is to go to the website:
www.americas-mailbox.com
Print out all the pertinent information regarding your vehicle registration.
Then transfer all your vehicles to SD registration. The people at the office will do all the paperwork for you, if you sign a power of attorney for
the vehicle registration, and pay your lic. fees.
America's mail box also has on site a motel and an RV park, and you are now allowed to claim your PMB as an apartment...i.e. your address will be 514
Americas Way, Apartment #(), Box Elder SD 57719.
At a later time of your choosing, you spend the night at their motel. They will give you a receipt with an address on it. That will be your permanent
SD residency on your SD DL. You then take the receipt to the local (it is about two miles away) DMV office (closed Mondays, but opens at 7 a.m. the
rest of the weekdays). Fill out your paperwork, give up your current DL. Make sure you bring 2 Federally issued IDs...your passport, W-2, SSI card,
etc. They will then issue a DL with a gold star on it and you will then be allowed to handle your vehicle and DL renewal by WWW.
It doesn't get any easier than that (other than having to appear at the DMV personally to have your photo taken.)
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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