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Ok, you want to drive to Mexico (good for
you!) and now you need to know what it will take to get you and
your vehicle into the country. Here is the straight scoop.
A friend of mine got in with a student ID and a smile, but she was
much prettier than I am. All minors (under 18) need either both
parents with them, or notarized permission from the absent parent(s)
or legal guardian.
- Vehicle Title or Registration Receipt. Owner is considered the
name(s) on title only. For example: a wife cannot take the car
if the title is only in the husband's name. If names of both husband
and wife appear on title, either one may take the car.
- Birth certificate, passport or notarized proof of citizenship,
or voter's registration card.
- Visa, MasterCard, Diner's, or American Express card with the
same name as on title.
- Valid driver's license (with photo and same name as on title).
- Notarized letter of permission from the bank or lienholder is
required on financed cars, rental cars, leased cars, or company
cars (on company stationary).
- No borrowed cars or borrowed credit cards are accepted.
- You must sign an affidavit of promise to return vehicle back
to the United States.
Failure to turn in your vehicle permit
before the expiration date may result in fines.
* This is subject to change without notice.
In order to get your vehicle permit, you will
pay an approximately $10-11 fee with a Visa, MasterCard or American
Express. If you do not have a credit card, you will have to post
a bond (much of which you will get back on your return). Your permit
is good for multiple entries, but you MUST turn it in at border
BEFORE it expires.
We might as well warn you about customs before
it is too late to do anything about it. Technically, both foreigners
and Mexicans who are driving are only allowed to bring $50 worth
of "merchandise" (mercancia, a word you will soon learn).
Since nobody takes long trips to Mexico with only $50 worth of stuff,
this is obviously impossible to enforce. What customs is looking
for is new items that could be sold. The secret is not to have new-looking
items with you. For example, if you have new clothes, take the tags
off. If you have new camping gear, take it out of the shiny boxes
and throw some dirt on them to make the boxes look old. Get the
idea?
One thing that will get you into trouble is
a lot of stuff in Wal-Mart etc. sacks. If you bought a lot of items
for your trip, take them out of the sacks, remove the price tags
and distribute them among your baggage. I was once delayed for having
too much film. I am a photographer and regularly take fifty rolls
of film. Technically that is illegal, but I only had a problem once.
That was when the rolls were still in a plastic bag from the store.
From then on, I spread them out and haven't had a problem since.
Computers
Laptop computers are never (a dangerous phrase to use in Mexico,
but I will go out on a limb here) a problem. Desktops can usually
be brought in. A journalist friend of mine was moving to Mexico
and had a lot of stuff, including a desktop computer. The customs
inspector wanted to do his job, but he was a practical man. "Your
computer," he asked, "it is small, no?" "Si,"
the scribe replied, "muy pequeño." Be honest and
friendly and things will work out. Be arrogant and you will have
trouble.
When to cross
Allow at least 30 minutes for customs clearing. Early in the
AM (6-7:30) is best. After 9:00 AM, it could take 30 minutes up
to an hour. Weekends are the worst time, especially holidays. If
you got a late start, please spend the night in a border town.
Driving in Mexico is not as dangerous as you
have been led to believe, but it is more challenging. There are
plenty of four-lane toll roads that (for a price) can make you feel
as comfortable as if you were back home. The two-lane roads vary
in width and conditions so that some of them are usually in great
shape, and others are often full of potholes. You will have to learn
a few rules of the road
For current gas and diesel prices, jump to
gas prices. For road conditions, go to road updates. Driving in
Mexico is perfectly safe and enjoyable. It is no more difficult
than driving in the U.S., though defensive driving is a requirement.
Despite what you have heard, Mexicans are very polite -- on the
open road. In cities, a certain amount of aggression is required.
Still, that's true in our country, too. How many of us can compete
with NY or Boston cabbies -- or would want to? I have driven in
most of the major U.S. cities and find the drivers in Mexico to
be generally more polite, particularly the truck drivers and long
distance bus drivers. (See the section about left turns).
Accidents
A remarkably small number of gringos have accidents in Mexico. Perhaps
they learn the differences quickly or perhaps God watches out for
fools, drunks and the U.S.A, as I was told by my father. So that
you won't have to depend on divine intervention, I will give you
some of the driving tips I have gleaned in my over twenty years
of driving around Mexico. In that time, I have had one accident
-- and that was because I passed out from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Here's a tip -- if you have a back window on your 4WD, don't leave
it open.
Why is everyone flashing their lights at
me?
Flashing your headlights at a car in front of you indicates
that you want to pass them. If you drive with your headlights on
during the day, you will be flashed by oncoming drivers because
they think you have left your lights on by accident.
Night Driving
Don't drive at night on the two-lane roads. There is a lot
of loose livestock and I have yet to see a cow equipped with tail
lights. My tip for driving at night is - DON'T. On the toll roads
(which are as good as or even better than those in the U.S. or Canada),
you can drive at night, but should be aware that some roads -- particularly
the Orizaba-Villahermosa road, and the Mexico City-Acapulco road,
have been known to have assaults at night.
Left Turn Signals
On the open road, a left turn signal is an invitation to the
guy behind you to pass. Trucks and busses frequently turn their
left blinker on to guide you around them. I trust them, but use
common sense. Sometimes they have optimistic views of your acceleration
capabilities. Don't use your left turn signal on a two lane road
when you are about to pass. You might get hit. A few readers have
pointed out that on the toll roads, people use turn signals as they
do here. My advice -- use 'em as you are used to on toll roads,
but don't expect the other guy to do the same.
Left Turns
Left turns are different! When there is a left turn lane, there
will usually be a left turn arrow. Look for 4 lights on signal.
You MUST wait for arrow (whether or not you saw any Indians).
Right Turns
Right on red is usually not OK, unless there is a sign saying
that it is. Lately, however, I have been honked at by locals when
I wait for a green light. What to do? If there isn't a cop nearby,
(and the coast is clear) I turn.
Topes and Truckers
Watch out for topes, which are speed bumps in every town of any
size. They begin just as you enter a town and there are lots of
them in-between. Slow down in rain -- more than you do here. The
roads are slicker, due to the blowoff from the big trucks and it
takes several hours of a heavy rain to wash it away.
Truckers are usually friendly and will use
the aforementioned left turn signal to give you the go-ahead to
pass them when you cannot see around them.
Cops
Traffic cops are more honest than you have been led to believe,
but there are some in towns who are looking for bribes, especially
in Mexico City. When this happens, stand firm and tell them you
want to go to the comandancia.
In Mexico City
You cannot drive in Mexico City on certain days, depending
on the last number of your license plate. Drive defensively at all
times and you should have no problems. You will not go to jail for
having a traffic accident, unless you do not have insurance, are
drunk or high, or are argumentative. If the accident is serious,
or if you kill someone, you could go to jail, or you and your car
could simply be detained until the matter is settled. For this reason
it is a good idea to have a legal assistance policy.
This came from Live Better South of the Border.
If you like the info you can order the book from a Secure Order
Form with VI, MC, AM at http://www.mexicomike.com or by sending
a check to Roads Scholar Press, 300 Zapata St., Rancho Viejo, TX
78520 or call 1-800-321-5605. The cost is $16.95 plus $4.00 S&H.
Texas residents add 8.25% tax ($22.34).
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