When you visit Mexico, you might be content to spend most of your time in your resort or the local city, especially if you’re visiting a busy tourist region like Los Cabos. But if you want to explore more of this beautiful country, access to a car makes getting around much easier.
Yes, you can book organized day trips and tours, but your own car gives you much more flexibility. It’s perfect for planning a road trip around the country, taking day trips from Cabo, or exploring the most exciting things to do in La Paz.
If you’re planning to drive in Mexico for the first time, you’ll need to ensure you have the correct paperwork and follow the rules of the road. Although there are some similarities between the two countries, there are also some important differences between driving on U.S. roads and Mexican roads.
This guide will help you prepare to drive your own car or a car rental in Mexico. I’ll share helpful tips including understanding the different types of roads, knowing where you can park, and dealing with accidents and breakdowns.
In this guide:
- The Basics of Driving in Mexico
- Driving your Own Car into Mexico
- Renting a Car in Mexico
- Roads, Gas Stations and More
- Top Tips for Driving in Mexico
- Driving into the U.S. from Mexico
The Basics of Driving in Mexico
First of all, there are some similarities between driving in the United States and Mexico.
- They drive on the right-hand side of the road.
- The signs look pretty similar. For example, the stop signs look the same but say “Alto” instead of “Stop”.
- In an emergency, you dial 911, just like in the U.S.
But there are also some big differences between the two countries. They use the metric system, so distances and speed limits are in km, not miles. Speed limits are usually more suggestions than actual rules, and there is very little traffic enforcement.
Those ‘Alto’ signs might look familiar, but Mexican drivers generally treat them more like a yield sign and only stop if there’s an obstruction.
In some areas of the country, like the state of Colima where I used to live, you have to exit off to the right of a busy boulevard in order to turn left. You can’t just turn left from the main road, which caused me no end of problems until I figured it out!
It can take a while to adapt to driving in Mexico, and it might feel a bit overwhelming. From my personal experience, if you’re used to driving in larger cities in the U.S at rush hour, you’ll soon feel comfortable on Mexican roads.
Having said that, don’t take risks and drive dangerously just because you see local people doing it. They have more experience with the roads and drivers, and it’s not worth risking an accident.
There are some areas where you risk an encounter with Bandidos (bandits). However, if you stick to the main roads and avoid remote areas or driving at night, you should generally be safe.
Driving your own car into Mexico
Driving across the U.S.-Mexico border is pretty simple, but be sure to review Mexico’s driving laws before you leave. This will help you understand what to expect while driving in Mexico.
If you’re taking your own vehicle across the border, you’ll need to have certain documents with you:
Identification
U.S. citizens will need to carry identification such as a passport. If you’re visiting on a tourist visa or only staying up to 180 days, you’ll also need to complete an Official Entry Immigration Form (FMM), also known as a tourist card. You can do this online before you travel, which will save time.
However, this form is being phased out, and not all border crossings will require it.
Valid Driver’s License
Either a U.S. driver’s license or an international driving permit will be acceptable.
Proof of Registration
You’ll also need to bring proof of registration for the car you plan to drive into Mexico.
Car Insurance Policy
At a minimum, you must have civil liability insurance to legally drive in Mexico. This covers you in case you cause injury or damage to another driver or vehicle.
Although your standard U.S. auto insurance might cover medical costs or theft of your car, it can’t provide liability coverage when driving in Mexico. You’ll need to purchase a special Mexican auto insurance policy, and talking to an insurance provider will help you find the best policy for your needs. I use Baja Bound personally for driving in Baja California and Sonora, which is underwritten by Chubb.
You can also buy Mexican car insurance from stores in several small towns near the Mexican border. However, it’s likely to cost you more than buying it in advance from an insurance provider.
Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit
Unless you’re only visiting the border area or free zone, you’ll also need a Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit to bring your car into Mexico. You can buy a permit from the Banjercito website 7 to 60 days before your trip or get one when you arrive at the border.
The entire Baja Peninsula (Baja California Norte and Baja California Sur) and the state of Sonora don’t require this entry permit, and you can have a US-licensed car there indefinitely.
You’ll need various documents to obtain the permit, including proof of identity, car ownership, and registration. Visit the Mexperience website for more information about the Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit.
Crossing the Mexico Border From the U.S.
When you reach the border of the United States and Mexico, you’ll drive into one of several lanes. Bigger, busier border crossings generally have more lanes than the quieter locations.
Traffic lights hang above each of the lanes. A green light means you can proceed directly into Mexico, but if the traffic light is red, you’ll be directed to an inspection area. Here, a Mexican customs official may ask you some questions or search you and your vehicle.
As long as you have all your papers in order and you aren’t carrying any illegal items, you can continue into Mexico fairly quickly. Be aware that if you are carrying any gifts or new items still with tags, the customs officials may need to check whether you are bringing them in for resale.
Renting a Car in Mexico
You might prefer to fly into Mexico and rent a car there. If so, you’ll need to have a valid U.S. driver’s license and a valid credit card, as debit cards are not acceptable for car rentals.
You must be at least 25 years old and have held a driving license for a minimum of two years. Some car rentals require you to have held your license for at least five years.
Your credit card might provide insurance for renting a car in Mexico, however, you must buy basic Mexican car insurance as well. If you’re in a car accident and don’t have Mexican auto insurance, you will have to pay for the damage before you can leave the country.
As always, you should examine your rental vehicle carefully before signing the rental agreement. Make sure the rental company takes note of all scratches, dents, or broken parts, so you don’t have to pay for that damage when you return the car.
It’s also a good idea to take photographs of the interior and exterior of the car before you sign, as evidence of the car’s condition when you accept it.
Roads, Gas Stations and More
Whether you bring your own vehicle or rent a car, there are various aspects of driving in Mexico that you need to remember.
Types of Highways
There are two types of major highways in Mexico: “cuota” and “libre.”
Cuotas are toll roads similar to American highways, and they are usually dual carriageways with two lanes in each direction. However, cuotas in busy areas might have more lanes to keep heavy traffic flowing, and some cuotas only have a single lane in each direction.
Libres or free roads are smaller two-lane highways with a single lane in each direction, and they often have stoplights and entrances/exits along them. Less money is spent on maintaining libres, so you’ll usually find the road surface isn’t as good as cuotas.
Toll Roads
Tolls in Mexico are usually cash only. Although some toll booths take U.S. dollars, this tends to be in tourist areas or near the border. Most only take Mexican pesos, and even if you find a toll booth that accepts USD, the exchange rate is often poor.
To use the toll system, you drive up to a toll booth and push a button on the kiosk to receive a ticket. The arm will then open, and you can drive through.
The cost of tolls is calculated by how long you drive on the cuota road, so when you eventually reach the next toll booth, you hand your ticket to an attendant and they will tell you how much to pay. As an example, it costs me 120 pesos, or about $6, to drive from San Jose del Cabo International Airport to the Cabo area.
Some automated toll passes are now being installed on Mexican toll roads, but you’re unlikely to have the necessary equipment in your own car or any rental car. If you get in line at a toll booth with a WiFi symbol, there’ll be no attendant, so be sure to look for a toll lane with a paper money symbol on it.
Looking out for Animals
You’ll often see animals like goats, cows, and horses roaming at the roadside and wandering onto the road. This is a bigger problem at night because Mexican roads are often unlit, and it can be hard to see the animals.
Always drive cautiously to reduce the risk of hitting something.
Using your turn signals
Turn signals are used to indicate that you intend to turn, but slower vehicles also use them to show the following car that it’s safe for them to overtake. If a slow-moving vehicle in front of you puts its turn signals on, check for an intersection up ahead before deciding whether to pass it.
You should also be wary of using your left turn signal if you are about to pass the car in front of you on a single-carriageway libre road. Any cars behind might view it as an invitation to pass you.
Military and Police Checkpoints
You’ll come across police or military checkpoints on roads and highways, which might make you feel a bit nervous. Usually, they will wave you straight through, but they can stop your car and ask to inspect it and your paperwork.
Make sure you have your documents up to date and that they’re easily accessible. Stay calm and follow their instructions, and you’ll soon be on your way again.
Gas Stations
You’ll find petrol stations along highways and in towns, and the gas must be pumped by an attendant while you stay in your car.
There are two options: the red pump is premium gas, and the green pump is standard gas. You can ask the gas station attendant to fill it up “lleno de verde/rojo” (pronounced “yayno day bareday (green) or roho (red)”) or tell them the amount you want to spend.
Watch as they start up the pump to ensure they reset the numbers on the display before filling your car. I’ve overpaid for gas before because the attendant started with the numbers already set above zero.
You can also ask the attendant to wash your windows, air up your tires, or refill your fluids. You’ll have to pay for any fluids you purchase, but there’s usually no charge for the other services.
It is customary to tip the gas attendant based on how much help they provided. I usually tip 25 or 50 pesos if they’ve just filled up the car with gas, and I go up to 100 pesos if they help with refilling fluids and other services.
Parking in Mexico
Street parking zones are indicated by different colors:
- Red is a no-parking zone.
- Blue is disabled parking, and you will get a ticket if you park there without the correct permit.
- Yellow is parking for taxis or commercial loading bays; you can’t park there.
- Green is short-term parking for customers of the local shops, with limits on how long you can park there.
- Grey and white are free parking zones, but check to see if there are time limits on parking there.
If you get a parking ticket, the police may also take your rear license plate. You will have to attend the local police station to pay your ticket and collect the plate.
Dealing with Accidents
Drivers in the U.S. can simply exchange insurance information for minor accidents with no injuries, and don’t need to wait for the police to attend.
This isn’t the case if you get into a car accident in Mexico. You must leave your car where it is until a police officer tells you that you can move it. If you leave the scene of an accident without permission, your insurance probably won’t pay for any damage, and you could be in trouble with the police.
Dealing with traffic accidents in Mexico takes forever, so try your best to avoid them if possible!
What to do if you break down
If you break down during the day, you can call Los Ángeles Verdes (The Green Angels). This is a Mexican government-run roadside assistance service that patrols 200+ Mexican roads between 8am and 6pm. You can contact them on 078, a 24-hour toll-free number.
If you break down outside their service hours, you might be in for a long wait with your car. Either find a local hotel for the night or stay in your vehicle with your doors locked and windows closed until the Green Angels arrive.
Top Tips for Driving in Mexico
Here are some top tips to keep in mind before you drive in Mexico:
Learn the traffic laws and signs before you travel
Make sure you know the speed limits, street signs, traffic signals, and rules of the road before you drive in Mexico.
Look out for speed bumps (“topes”) as these don’t always have clear markings or warning signs nearby.
Stick to the toll roads
Driving on the “cuotas” will generally be safer and provide better road conditions. This is especially important if you’re driving outside major cities, as the emergency services in these areas may be limited.
Drive in daylight where possible
Roads in Mexico see more fatal accidents during the night, as the roads aren’t generally lit, so you may struggle to see the topes, potholes, or animals on the roads. Some cars also drive without taillights at night, which makes accidents more likely.
Driving during daylight hours will be less stressful and safer, especially in rural areas when police and emergency services may be limited.
Stay on main roads when driving alone
The risk of meeting Bandidos is actually pretty low, but the road conditions can be very poor, especially away from the cuotas. It’s also better to avoid driving alone, if possible, and avoid backstreets if you must drive alone.
Drive on the shoulder to avoid oncoming traffic
Oncoming drivers will often enter your lane when they are passing vehicles in front of them. You are expected to move over onto the shoulder to let them pass you.
Driving Under the Influence in Mexico
Basically, don’t do it. The national blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for driving in Mexico is 0.08% (80mg/100ml), but some states have lower limits. The only safe option is avoiding alcohol if you’re going to drive.
If you have a drink, the safest option is to take a taxi and return the next day to collect your car.
Driving into the U.S. from Mexico
When you return to the U.S. from Mexico, you’ll find that the U.S. border has several lanes, with busier crossing points having more lanes than quieter ones. A customs official will signal for you to stop and ask if you are carrying any goods you need to declare. Check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for details of what you can take back into the U.S.
Common sense and complete honesty is essential here because if your car is searched and you have any undeclared goods, your car will be seized, and you could face a jail sentence. Stay calm, be polite, and answer their questions, and you shouldn’t have any problems.
The Wrap-Up
Now you have the information you need to drive in Mexico. As long as you have your paperwork in order, check through the rules of the road before traveling, and take things easy while you get used to the new driving conditions, you’ll soon be confidently exploring the country in your car.
Driving a car in Mexico gives you much more freedom and flexibility, so you’ll be able to enjoy a more exciting and fulfilling experience on your Mexico vacation.
