Drivers License Rules

[catbird]

If you are temporal can you drive a Mexican plated car with a US License?

When you get the permanente status do you have to get a Mexican drivers license?

[Syver117]

Yes, I am temporal and I have a Mexican car and US license.  When I go permanente I can still drive with US license.  I do plan to get a MX license next year and I plan to renew my US license.

 

[lcscats]

Warning! My wife didn't keep her US license and in Washington she had to start over and do road test and everything including driving school to get US license back. Syver117 answered your question correctly.

[Yo1]

Mexican license is good in the US.  Really no need to keep up your US license unless you want  to.

[Mostlylost]

If stopped by police in USA I present my Jalisco DL. In Mexico my Florida DL.  Makes it more or less imposible to give you a ticket.

[Bontekoe]

Yes to first no to the second question

[AlanMexicali]

On ‎10‎/‎09‎/‎2016 at 8:35 AM, Mostlylost said:

If stopped by police in USA I present my Jalisco DL. In Mexico my Florida DL.  Makes it more or less imposible to give you a ticket.

They can take you to the office to pay the ticket in Mexico and keep your US license while escorting you there. Taking a drivers license or a license plate is not legal to do in the States of San Luis Potosi, Baja California, Jalisco and Mexico City that I have read in their traffic laws but they do it anyway. Many municipalities have several offices that are open 24 hours. Others you have to pay at the municipalities main of a sub office, closed on the weekend and after normal business hours. One I was in even had an ATM machine in it 10 PM on a Sunday night. I got stopped yesterday by a transito and he held onto my Mexican drivers license and "tarjeta de circulacion" while talking to me.

It was the 17th time I have been stopped by police in Mexico since 2005. He wanted to give me a "infraccion" [ticket] and keep my drivers license and have me pay the ticket and pick up my license on Monday. I called my wife and she straightened him out about keeping my drivers license and no ticket only a warning. I wondered why he didn´t start writing the ticket and thought it might be a shakedown, so I asked him if it was OK to call my wife and you can talk to her. He asked "Is she Mexican?". I said yes and he said call her then.. I thanked him and shook his hand and he said drive better and don´t go up one way streets the wrong way sir.  Federal or state pólice can give you a ticket and tell you were to go pay it. If you don´t pay your tickets you can´t renew registration of  the vehicle until you pay them.

Better to give them your Mexican drivers license if you get stopped for an infraction and they give you the ticket and it is over in a few minutes and not play games with them or it could backfire in your face. 17 stops and I know the ins and outs very well. It is easy to replace a "stolen" Mexican drivers license locally and at a minimal cost of about $150 pesos or so, than to get another one in the US if you actually live in Mexico full time. This is what I recommend everyone do in regards to this subject.

[Bontekoe]

Sorry to say but you must be a terrible driver or just do not learn to obey the rules!

[Intercasa]

Do you even need a US driver's license here if you are driving a US plated car?

The State of Jalisco recognizes driver licenses from Jalisco, other states and foreign countries per international treaties and recognition under federal law

 

III. Por lo que se refiere a las licencias para conducir vehículos expedidas en el extranjero, su reconocimiento y validez quedarán sujetos a las disposiciones federales sobre la materia y a los convenios internacionales de los que México forme parte.

 

[Aquaponicsman]

I had a cop in Acapulco pull me over claiming I ran a red light 10 blocks away, even though I had only entered that road 3 blocks away. He had at least 50 driver's licenses that he showed me that he had confiscated, I had a Mexican politician in the car with me and we left without further incident.

[tbh]

6 hours ago, AlanMexicali said:

They can take you to the office to pay the ticket in Mexico and keep your US license while escorting you there. Taking a drivers license or a license plate is not legal to do in the States of San Luis Potosi, Baja California, Jalisco and Mexico City that I have read in their traffic laws but they do it anyway.  ... ... ...

So can they, or can't they take our US license in Jalisco?    Apparently, the law is one thing and common practice is another.   

If the law says they can't take it, then what do we need to carry in the car to show them that they are not allowed to hold it?

[Mostlylost]

Jalisco no. SLP yes unless they have changed the law. "Sure take my Florida DL but I need a receipt so I can get home."  They have no receipt. Catch 22. Has always worked for me. Inc Federales

[AlanMexicali]

22 hours ago, tbh said:

So can they, or can't they take our US license in Jalisco?    Apparently, the law is one thing and common practice is another.   

If the law says they can't take it, then what do we need to carry in the car to show them that they are not allowed to hold it?

Ley de Movilidad y Transporte del Estado de Jalisco | info.jalisco.gob.mx

 

 

 

LEY DE MOVILIDAD Y TRANSPORTE DEL ESTADO DE JALISCO

 

LAW OF MOBILITY AND TRANSPORTATION OF THE STATE OF JALISCO

 

Capítulo IV

Del registro y los requisitos para circular

 

Artículo 50. Los vehículos registrados en el extranjero podrán circular en el Estado, si sus conductores acreditan la legal internación y estancia en el país de los mismos, mediante la documentación expedida por las autoridades federales competentes.

chapter IV

Registration and requirements to circulate

 

Article 50. Vehicles registered abroad can circulate in the State if their drivers prove their legal entry and stay in the country thereof, through documentation issued by the competent federal authorities. [RT,RP, FMM tourist card]

 

Artículo 51. A los vehículos registrados en otra entidad federativa, para circular en las vías públicas del Estado no se les exigirán requisitos diferentes o adicionales a los que deban de satisfacer en su lugar de procedencia; su cumplimiento se comprobará mediante los documentos que expidan las autoridades de su jurisdicción. No obstante lo anterior, se podrán retirar de la circulación aquellos vehículos que aun y cuando estén registrados en otra entidad federativa, emitan visiblemente contaminantes a la atmósfera.

 

Article 51. A vehicle registered in another federal entity, for driving on public roads the State shall not require different or additional requirements to be satisfied in their place of origin; compliance shall be verified by the documents issued by the authorities of their jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, may be withdrawn from circulation vehicles that even when they are registered in another federal entity, visibly emit pollutants into the atmosphere.

Artículo 52

V. Si el vehículo es de procedencia extranjera, acreditar su legal importación en los términos que señale la legislación aplicable;

Article 52

V. If the vehicle is of foreign origin, prove their legal importation into the applicable provisions of applicable law;

Capítulo V

De las licencias de conducir y los requisitos

para operar vehículos

 

Artículo 54. Es obligación de los conductores de vehículos de transporte público y particulares, para operar y conducir vehículos en el Estado, obtener y portar consigo la licencia para conducir o permiso vigente, con la modalidad, categoría y tipo de servicio de que se trate, expedido por:

 

I. La Secretaría, la cual expedirá estos documentos conforme a las características y normas establecidas en esta ley;

 

II. Las autoridades competentes en materia de vialidad transito y transporte y de movilidad y transporte, de otras entidades y de la Federación, para operar o conducir vehículos por las vías públicas; y

 

III. Por lo que se refiere a las licencias para conducir vehículos expedidas en el extranjero, su reconocimiento y validez quedarán sujetos a las disposiciones federales sobre la materia y a los convenios internacionales de los que México forme parte.

 

chapter V
Driver's licenses and requirements to operate vehicles

Article 54. It is the duty of drivers of public transport vehicles and individuals to operate and driving in the state, obtain and carry with them a driver's license or permit in force, with the type, category and type of service that question , issued by:

I. The Secretariat, which issued these documents according to the characteristics and rules established in this law;

II. The competent authorities of transit roads and transport and mobility and transport, and other entities of the Federation, to operate or drive vehicles on public roads; Y

III. As regards the licenses issued to drive abroad, recognition and validity will be subject to federal provisions on the subject and international agreements to which Mexico is a party.

 

Titulo Séptimo

De las medidas de seguridad, infracciones, sanciones, inspección y vigilancia,

y medios de defensa de los particulares

 

Capítulo I

De las medidas de seguridad

 

Artículo 173. Los elementos de la policía vial no están autorizadas para recoger al operador o conductor, su licencia, permiso, gafete de identificación, tarjeta de circulación y cualquier otro documento, con excepción de los vehículos de transporte público de carga o  transporte público de pasajeros, o cualquiera de sus modalidades, así como transporte público especializado.

 

Seventh Title  
 

Security measures, infringements, penalties, inspection and surveillance, and means of defense of individuals [individuals´ rights]

 Chapter I

Security measures

 

Article 173. The elements of the traffic police are not authorized to collect [KEEP OR CONFISCATE]  the operator  or driver's license, permit, identification badge, circulation card and any other documents, with the exception of public transport vehicles loading or public transport passengers, or any of its forms, as well as specialized public transportation."

 

Several things in the Jalisco Traffic Laws indicate some misinformation I had thought existed.

 

1. Transitos and municipal pólice can ask for proof of legal stay in the country of foreigners. [RT, RP or FMM tourist card] 

 

2. They also can ask for proof on the legal stay of foreign plated vehcles in the country. [TIP] and proof of  the legallity of vehicles of foreign origin. Legal importation.

 

3. The plates need to be current and valid in the state/province of the country where the foreign plated vehicle is registered, not expired. It appears a TIP is not considered vehicle registration in Mexcio, or at least not in Jalisco.

 

4. Police cannot confiscate or hold onto your drivers license or any other document.

[AlanMexicali]

On ‎11‎/‎09‎/‎2016 at 3:29 PM, Bontekoe said:

Sorry to say but you must be a terrible driver or just do not learn to obey the rules!

My wife says the same thing. My excuse is monkey see, monkey do. I consider myself a "status quo" driver here and follow the others around like a hound dog. After a few screeching stops and getting rear ended I don´t drive like I do NOB anymore. I swerve, do semi stops, run red lights at excruciating long reds where street vendors and street performers annoy people to death and I know as many as 8 or 9 vehicles behind me will do the same and drive down one way streets the wrong way were going around several blocks on cobblestone streets that haven´t been maintained in decades is not a smart option just like many others do. I do park correctly unlike many others that do not and screw things up royally and see it hundreds of times daily. Cops usually do nothing but once in a blue moon take some action. They seem to be more interested in driving around and eating and park in groups and chat in shady places with each other. 

[captnaselli]

31 minutes ago, AlanMexicali said:

My wife says the same thing. My excuse is monkey see, monkey do. I consider myself a "status quo" driver here and follow the others around like a hound dog. After a few screeching stops and getting rear ended I don´t drive like I do NOB anymore. I swerve, do semi stops, run red lights at excruciating long reds where street vendors and street performers annoy people to death and I know as many as 8 or 9 vehicles behind me will do the same and drive down one way streets the wrong way were going around several blocks on cobblestone streets that haven´t been maintained in decades in not an smart option just like many others do. I do park correctly unlike many others that do not and scew things up royally and see it hundreds of times daily. Cops usually do nothing but once in a blue moon take some action. They seem to be more interested in driving around and eating and park in groups and chat in shady places with each other. 

 

[captnaselli]

http://info.jalisco.gob.mx/sites/default/files/leyes/ley_de_movilidad_y_transporte_del_estado_de_jalisco_08-10-13-ii.pdf

Allen, I am known as Captain Joseph L. Naselli a United States Coast Guard licensed passenger liner operator.  I have a 1979 Mercedes Antique licensed plated car, state of Jalisco. As mater of fact,  I don't have to do yearly emissions inspections, the only thing you have to do is keep paying my yearly auto registration tax. Somewhere in the above document is the law that states the above sentence. Would you do me the favor of finding same as my Spanish is lacking any real substance. Thanking you in advance for any and all considerations.

Email:  captnaselli@netzero.net  Phone 376 766-5687

[tbh]

Thanks, Alan.

I'll print that and carry it with me in my car.    I think I'll print off that letterhead from the website, too, just to add a little emphasis.    Thanks again.

[Bontekoe]

Edited by moderator to remove personal insult.  Don't do it again

[CHILLIN]

Captn -a beautiful old Mercedes. Did you have to go through Mexico City (CDMX) for the antique plates? Did you use a facilitator?

[Mostlylost]

Poster stated Jalisco antique plates.