Georgia

Just an observation: I have found it far more persuasive to have with me the entire code of traffic laws for whatever state I am traveling through (they are not all the same). If there is English, the polic disregard it. All of the traffic laws are available in each state's website. While Spencers rulebook is mega-helpful (English and Spanish) it is not persuasive to ruarl policemen. If you have the rules of the road of whatever state, it really stops the police in their tracks.

I'll update it soon. Please note the minimum wage is rising in 2010 so that will affect fines. The Guadalajara Metropolitan area (Guadalajara, Zapopan, Tlaquepaque, Tonalá, El Salto and Tlajomulco de Zúñiga) will be zone B at 55.84 pesos and all other areas Zone C at 54.47 pesos. Our zone is close enough to my last year's rounded amount of 54 so I won't change until I make other changes. I'll always list at the bottom of the guide the revision date. The next major revision I hope to do soon and include the national driving laws that the Federales enforce. I'll stick it at the end so you can just print those pages.

Please remember that the driving guide is for the Chapala area. Other cities and states have their own driving rules and modifications of the State rules (if within Jalisco). Other states may seize your driver license until you pay the fine and other cities as well who have modified the state code in their municipal driving code (Vallarta for example). Also on the highways the Federales can take your license and their fines are higher. Other differences in the other areas / states / federales are that there are no or limited discounts for paying early, some areas don't give discounts for paying early on certain offenses and others don't give discounts for a 2nd or 3rd offense.

Drive safe.

Georgia, has it been a while since you've crossed at Colombia?  Apparently it isn't so pleasant these days...a knowledgeable poster on TOB wrote about it just yesterday.

We crossed at the Colombia Bridge three weeks ago. After crossing the bridge, but before you get to the aduana/imigracion building and toll, there IS an army revision. They go through the car quite thoroughly but were very respectful and thanks us for our cooperation. No complaints here. I thanks them as well.

We are picking some friends up at the airpot in guadalajara and driving back to Leon Gto and were wondering if any one knows a nice place to stop in Tlaquepaque for a nice afternoon meal and some shopping?

I have a home in Tlaquepaque. There are two places I woud highly recommend: one is around the corner from El Parian on Reforma between Progreso and Matamoreos: it is the restaurant at Quinta Don Jose, Reforma 140. It's a B&B with an awesome chef and great music on the weekends.

The second place is Nahual on Juarez a block east of the Parian on the right side of the street. An incredible menu, great cuisine. Doesn't have the service and ambiance of Quinta Don Jose, but the food choices are awesome.

Quite honestly, after reading the OP about the treatment these people received, I cannot believe you just said that! But you did.

My husband and I frequently drive to Texas using the Colombia Bridge crossing. At that crossing the guards actually remember us by name and are very courteous. Ask us if we like living in Mexico .. in a friendly and curious way. Many of them are of Mexican heritage and speak native Mexican Spanish. But it is a question of which border crossing you choose. The Colombia crossing - in both directions - has always been a pleasure. They do check thoroughly every 100th car - and even apologized when we were number 100 on one occcasion. But that is that particular crossing.

I know others are not so courteous and they absolutely should be reported for abusive behavior.