Getting Your Mexican Tourist Car Permits To Drive In Mexico
You need a Mexican car permit to drive your car in Mexico
Mexican Car Permit Requirements
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You need a Mexican car permit if you are driving in Mexico beyond the Mexican border. A Mexican car permit will cost you about $32 now (325 pesos September, 2007) and will probably go up. There is a Mexican vehicle permit for motorhomes for $49.50 USD valid for 10 years. There is also a Mexican boat permit. If you are driving in Sonora, Mexico only, there is no charge.
You can get your Mexican car permit online as well for $49.50 (more for RV's) and have it delivered to your door if you plan 2 weeks in advance. This does work and will save you a little time but costs more. If you are driving to Mexico during the Christmas or Easter vacation time, it is definitely worth it. Otherwise, it's up to you.
As of September, 2007, you can get your car permits and immigration permits at the consulates in these cities: CHICAGO, HOUSTON, DALLAS, AUSTIN, FORT WORTH, LOS ANGELES, SACRAMENTO, SAN BERNARDINO, PHOENIX, ALBUQUERQUE Y DENVER. You still have to have them cancelled at the border before returning to the USA.
You have to pay the Mexican Treasury department (Hacienda) by credit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express). You need the title or registration for your car or RV and are supposed to have a notarized letter of permission to take it into Mexico if it is financed (if you can't get one, you'll probably get your Mexican car permit -- I have never been asked for one -- but don't blame me if you run into a Hacienda official who is a sticker for rules and refuses to give you a Mexico driving car permit for not having it).
Be darn sure to turn this permit in before leaving Mexico. Otherwise, the next time you come, you’ll have to pay a pretty stiff fine. Hacienda (the tax man) keeps really good track of these car permits.
You have to pay the Mexican Treasury department (Hacienda) by credit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express).
That said, some people have told me that they didn’t turn their Mexico car permit in and got back into Mexico anyway. Others have told me that they were detained at the Mexican border. Still others had to pay a rather large fine. Hacienda states that the penalty for not turning in your car permit is $33, plus $5 a day for each day it has expired.
If you did not turn in your Mexican car permit, you may still be able to get it canceled.