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Driving in Mexico
Drivers in Mexico enjoy an extensive infrastructure of roads and intercity highways.
Mexico has invested heavily in road infrastructure over the last two decades. Getting around Mexico by road today is easier and safer than it ever has been.
Blog Articles: Transportation in Mexico
Mexico's Road Network
Since the early 1990's, Mexico has invested huge amounts of money to upgrade its interstate road network, working with the private sector to build and maintain high-quality interstate highways which connect Mexico's major towns and cities.
All of Mexico's new interstate roads are tolled. The tolls are relatively expensive too, in comparison to toll roads in the USA, for example. However, they are well maintained, modern four-lane roads (except in very rugged mountainous stretches where it is impossible to build a wide road), and provide a fast, safe and effective way to travel by road from A to B.
You can travel on Mexico's non-tolled interstates for free (these are known as carreteras federales), but some are slower to travel on; most are two-lane highways, making it likely that you will get stuck behind slow-moving traffic. They are also less maintained than toll roads, so you'll need to look out for pot holes and other similar hazards.
Toll Roads in Mexico
Mexico has an extensive network of intercity toll-roads. See the guide about Toll Roads in Mexico on Mexperience, for more information and advice.
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Car Rental in Mexico
Mexico is well-served by a number of global and local car rental agencies. Read the complete guide to Car Rental in Mexico for more details.
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Bringing Your Own Car to Mexico
Foreigners driving into Mexico are allowed to bring their cars (also boats and motor homes) into the country after meeting certain documentary requirements including the payment of a “temporary import” permit.
Foreign retirees (“inmigrantes rentistas”) or those in Mexico on working permits (“no-inmigrante”) may bring in one car (their own) for the duration of their visas and subsequent extensions. Tourists may also bring in one car, even if it’s not their own. For more information about different visas see the Mexperience page on Mexican Immigration.
Foreigners will need to show proof of nationality, their Mexican visa or tourist card, as well as proof of ownership of the vehicle. In the event the vehicle isn't paid for, a letter of credit or invoice from the corresponding financial institution will be needed. If the vehicle is rented, the hire contract in the driver’s name and a description of the vehicle. If it’s a company car, the importer will need to show documental proof of a working relationship with the company, as well as company proof of ownership. Also required is a letter stating the driver’s intention to return the vehicle after the authorized period.
The first steps for obtaining a permit can be taken online at the site of Banco del Ejercito where you will find a link from the homepage.
Permits can also be processed at the following Mexican consulates: Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Sacramento, Phoenix, and Albuquerque, as well as at the Banco del Ejercito booths at Mexican customs on the border or at seaports. The online cost of the permit is $22 plus value-added tax, while the cost at consulates is $35.20.
If the permit is paid for in cash, a deposit must be made against failure to take the vehicle out of Mexico at the right time. The deposit, which is returned to the owner when the vehicle leaves Mexico, is $400 for 1999 or later models, $300 for models 1994 to 1998, and $200 for earlier models. Detailed information is available in Spanish at the Mexican customs web site.
The border state of Sonora has a special arrangement, waiving the fees, deposits and other requirements for visitors who intend to stay in the state.
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Driving In Mexico
Driving in Mexico City
Most foreign visitors to the nation's capital eschew driving, unless they have a specific reason for needing a motor car. Taxis are plentiful and affordable, and the city's Metro system is still the most efficient way to get into the center of the city, without the malaise of traffic and parking to deal with.
Mexico City is extremely congested with traffic, and journey times for even mid-range distances can exceed one hour -- considerably more early in the mornings and between 6pm and 9pm at night.
Also See: Driving the Mexico City Way, a blog article by Foreign Native.
Need for Documentation
Have your driver and vehicle documentation to hand at all times when you are driving in Mexico. If you are used to driving in a country where immediate documentation production is not required (e.g. UK), you may be accustomed to leaving your driver's license and/or other car documentation at home, because if you get stopped, you can present it to the police later, or they will look up your record electronically from the squad car. This is not so in Mexico. Traffic police are allowed to ask to see your license and your car registration card, known in Spanish as the "tarjeta de circulacion." It's also practical to keep your car insurance papers with you.
If you're renting a car in Mexico, besides the personal documentation listed above, the rental company will provide the other necessary documentation related to the car.
Getting Pulled over by the Police
You'll need to present your paperwork (as described above) to the officer who pulled you over. If you don't speak Spanish, they may well just leave you alone, unless your offence was serious or you are involved in a nasty accident. In such circumstances, get your country's Consulate involved.
General Guidance
If you live in the UK, Ireland, Australia or other country where people drive on the left, remember that you will be driving on the right hand side in Mexico.
Driving in Mexico City is similar to driving in other large metropolitan cities. Be careful, use your mirrors, and be additionally vigilant for the unexpected as drivers in Mexico don't often give warning about their intentions.
Drivers in Mexico don't often use their indicators, and won't be that amenable when it comes to letting other drivers into a line of traffic from a side road - even if the line isn't going anywhere! Signaling your intentions might help or it might simply ensure that other drivers prevent you from making the maneuver; e.g. changing lanes.
Cars may be in a higher state of disrepair than you might be used to at home, especially in rural areas. Bald tires, no head lights or tail lights, and malfunctioning break lights are not uncommon. Take extra care in bad weather conditions.
"Topes", Mexican Spanish for speed bumps, are a common feature on all Mexican roads in urban areas, and on highways which pass through small towns and villages. Some are worn out and behave like bumps in the road that you don't notice anymore, and some are like brick walls that will do real damage to your vehicle if you go over them at speed. If you are renting a car be especially aware of speed bumps - rental companies regularly check under the car for speed bump damage. Slow down at all bumps, and keep your speed down in urban areas; not all topes are sign-posted or marked out.
Drive Defensively
If you drive defensively in Mexico, chances are you'll have no problems at all. Driving in Mexico can be very enjoyable and safe; you'll simply need to exercise extra care, especially in urban areas.
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Night Driving in Mexico
Road Conditions - Smaller and fringe roads can be under-developed or in disrepair. Watch out for pot-holes - some are bad enough that they will wreck your suspension and possibly leave you needing a new tire or wheel! Sometimes they are marked with a cone (or a rock painted white is also common), but sometimes they are just there and may be hard to see, especially at night.
Markings and Lighting - Road markings may not be present. This makes driving tricky on dark highways or inside unlit provincial towns when you can't see where the road edge ends - and road signs may not be lit up. If you're traveling by car at night it's best to stay on a main highway (toll roads are best) or be in an area you know.
Cyclists and Pedestrians - Be vigilant at night for cyclists who may not have lights fitted to their bikes; they will be near-invisible until you are very close to them. The same applies for pedestrians: in rural areas, many local workers walk home from work along the edge of local roads; they may not be walking towards you and probably won't be wearing anything bright and far less likely to be wearing reflective clothing.
Beware of the Animals! - Another important consideration when driving, especially at night, is the presence of cattle and animals wandering into the roads. Many roads in Mexico do not have fences fitted either side of them where they cross ranches, farms or areas where animals are allowed to graze. It's not uncommon for cows, sheep, dogs and other animals to wander aimlessly into the middle of the road, regardless of what may be traveling towards them! Not only does this present a danger to your own car (if it's a rental car, you may have to pay excess charges for any damage - see Car Rental, above) the event could be a catalyst for a bigger accident involving several cars.
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Car Breakdowns in Mexico
If you rented a car, your car rental company should have breakdown recovery services in place - check with them to find out what the procedure is before your start your journey.
Angeles Verdes (Green Angels)
On the interstate highways, "Angeles Verdes" (Green Angels) patrol the roads, looking for broken down vehicles, and helping out with minor repairs and surprisingly frequently, selling fuel. They ride green trucks, sometimes its a tow truck, and will provide free help, although they will charge for fuel if you need it, and parts. They'll tow you to the nearest town if your car is in need. It's appropriate to Tip the mechanic if they help you out.
Dealing with Breakdowns
If you are in a rented car, or your own private car, dealing with a breakdown in Mexico will depend where you are and what cover you have in place to help you.
If you are in a large town or city, someone may come to your aid to help you move the car to the edge of the road; many Mexicans are amenable and helpful when they see someone who has broken down.
If your car is rented, call the rental car company at once, as they will mobilize their breakdown service and get help to you as soon as possible.
If you are covered for breakdowns by your insurance company or some other breakdown service (for example AMA, Asociacion Mexicana de Automoviles) call them to get help to you.
If you are on a major highway, especially toll-roads, a patrolling vehicle from the Angeles Verdes may find you and help you (see note above). Note that cell phone coverage can be scarce on remote roads across Mexico; tolled highways have wired phones posted every few miles. If you are on a non-tolled highway, and there is no cell phone coverage, you may need to walk back to the nearest town or village to summon help.
Beware of 'Fake Breakdowns'
Principally on major highways, and especially non-toll roads, some uncouth people may stage a breakdown to lure a potential crime victim. The best advice is to ignore people who are broken down on the highways and trying to flag you to stop, especially at night; although it is absolutely essential to stop if you witness a car accident or are involved in a car accident. Failure to stop in these circumstances is a Federal offense.
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Accidents on the Road
Minor Accidents and Bumps
Mexicans will tend to walk away from minor accidents. Insurance is not compulsory in Mexico and many people do not buy it. If you are involved in a "fender bender" or other minor accident, don't be surprised if the other drives off. In the event where the other driver does get out, you may need to wait until an insurance assessor arrives for the matter to be resolved (see below). If you are renting a car and the other driver speeds off, you will be liable for the damage on the rental car (or the excess fee associated with any damage).
Serious Accidents
For more serious accidents, if the police get involved, it is possible to be arrested and held until blame is assessed and dues paid. Mexican Law is based on the French legal system of 'guilty until proven innocent'. If you don't speak Spanish, you could be taken advantage of by the other party when it comes to telling the tale. You should always contact the insurance company and/or rental car agency in the event of a serious accident or where the police are involved. In such circumstances, contact your home country's Consulate and advise them of the circumstances. If anyone is hurt of killed, then you will be subject to a detailed legal process and will need the services of your consulate, a lawyer and your insurance company.
Also See: Guide to Insurance in Mexico
Insurance Assessors
Where an accident takes place between road vehicles in Mexico, insurance assessors from the companies representing the drivers are summoned to the scene. This is why you may see, adjacent to a car accident scene, vehicles with insurance company logos painted on them.
In many countries where there is no personal injury or death involved in an accident, or the police are not involved, drivers simply exchange insurance details and the 'fender bender' is sorted out between insurers.
In Mexico, this is not the case. In all circumstances, insurance assessors arrive on the scene to interview the drivers, take notes and photograph the incident to file a detailed report. If the drivers involved in the accident share the same insurance company, then one assessor will represent both parties; otherwise two or more assessors may arrive on the scene.
I you are renting a car in Mexico and are involved in an accident, then the car rental agency will probably arrange for the insurance company's assessor to visit the scene of the accident. They may also have other people attend the scene; for example, an agency rep with a replacement car if the vehicle you are driving is no longer roadworthy due to the accident.
Once the scene of the accident is assessed, the insurance assessors will arrange for tow trucks, etc if required and negotiate with each other about who is to blame.
If people are hurt or killed, a legal process will also ensue (see serious accidents, above), otherwise, people will drive off (or have alternative transport arranged by the insurance company) and go about their business.
Personal Insurance
It's strongly advisable to have personal travel insurance when driving in Mexico - in addition to the car insurance. Some services even offer travel assistance so in the event of a car accident, for example, you would have access to English-speaking advisors via 24/7 help line. They can get doctors, lawyers and other professionals to contact you directly and even send emergency messages home on your behalf.
Have your insurance documents at the ready, and if your car is rented, contact the rental company immediately, following procedures they will have given to you. In the unlikely case of a serious accident, you will need to get the police involved and contact your country's Foreign Consulate in Mexico.
Also See: Guide to Insurance in Mexico
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Buying Gasoline in Mexico
Filling stations in Mexico are all PEMEX franchises. PEMEX - an acronym for Petroleos Mexicanos - is the state-owned oil company which has a national monopoly on the supply of fuel in Mexico. To find a filling station, look out for the green and white PEMEX signs, located everywhere.
Gasoline Prices in Mexico
The price for gasoline and diesel fuels will be the same, whatever station you go to, in whatever part of the country you find yourself, except on the border with the USA, where prices are indexed to prices across the U.S. border for local commercial reasons. Sometimes those prices are below those of the rest of the country, and at other times they are higher, since U.S. prices vary considerably.
The price of gasoline and diesel is subsidized by the government in Mexico. Depending upon world market prices for oil and gasoline, the price of fuel in Mexico may be higher than the USA, or lower, as Mexico's fuel prices rise in line with a government inflation formula, not the international price of oil.
Full Service Stations
All stations are FULL SERVICE. However, it's a good idea to get out of your car (stretch your legs) and check that the counter on the pump is set to zero. Most gas station assistants make a point about showing you that the meter is set at zero before filling.
Ask the attendant to fill the tank, (lleno -"YAY-noh") or to a specified monetary amount. Additionally, if you ask, the attendant will also clean the windscreen, check/fill your oil if required (check this with him), replace your windscreen wipers (these are sold), fill your radiator with water, check your tire pressure and adjust as necessary, and any other minor job that may need doing that won't take more than a few minutes at most.
Some kids may come along and clean your windscreen for you, unsolicited. It's optional to pay, but you should give them 2 or 3 pesos each in return for their efforts if you let them clean your screen.
Tipping Gas Station Attendants
Attendants at gasoline stations should be Tipped, commensurate with the amount of work they do for you. 3-5% of the cost of your fuel is normal for fuel-only, 5-10% of same for additional services.
Paying for Your Fuel
Generally speaking, it's a waste of time flashing your plastic card at most PEMEX stations - many of them don't take plastic. Some stations are now starting to take major credit cards, but buying fuel for vehicles is still largely a cash business in Mexico. When you fill up, make sure you have cash with you in case the station you need to stop at doesn't accept cards.
Blog Article: Cash, Please
Blog Articles: Transportation in Mexico