When Mexico reformed its immigration law in 2012, the rules explicitly forbade foreigners with Residente Permanente status from bringing a foreign-plated vehicle to Mexico using a Temporary Import Permit (TIP).
The rule was not readily enforced in the “Free Zones” in the Baja peninsula, Sonora and Quintana Roo—perhaps because drivers don’t need to apply for a TIP if their foreign-plated vehicle will remain exclusively in a Free Zone.
However, in late 2025 drivers in Baja began reporting on Social Media posts that officers at vehicle checkpoints on the Baja peninsula had been giving warnings to—and in some cases seized vehicles from—people driving foreign-plated cars and who held Permanent Residency in Mexico.
This article describes the context of the situation and shares the latest information we have about the changing pattern of enforcement related to Permanent Residents driving their foreign-plated vehicles in Mexico.
Mexico’s vehicle ‘Free Zones’
Foreigners can drive their foreign-plated vehicles freely within the ~25km “buffer zone” along the border with US (before the checkpoints). When they drive beyond the buffer zone, they need to have a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for the vehicle unless they intend to keep the vehicle exclusively inside the “free zone.”
Mexico has three vehicle ‘free zones’ along its borders that are defined areas in which drivers of foreign-plated cars do not need to apply for a TIP; they are:
- the Baja California peninsula (north);
- a defined area in the state of Sonora (north); and
- the state of Quintana Roo (south).
Permanent residents and foreign-plated vehicles
When Mexico reformed its immigration law in 2012, it explicitly forbade foreigners with Permanent Residency status from importing a foreign-plated vehicle to Mexico.
According to law, since 2012, holders of Permanent Residency cards cannot apply for a TIP and, legally, cannot drive a foreign-plated car to anywhere Mexico.
That law stipulates that only visitors and holders of Temporary Residency cards may apply for a Temporary Import Permit (TIP)—and by extension bring a foreign-plated vehicle to Mexico. Mexican nationals who can prove that they live abroad may also apply for a TIP.
A TIP is valid for the same time period that the visitor permit or Temporary Residency card is valid, and the car must be exported and the TIP cancelled at the end of that time period.
However, since 2012, foreign residents with permanent residency cards have been driving and keeping their foreign-plated vehicles inside a vehicle “Free Zone” without trouble, and temporary residents who eventually changed their status to permanent residency have been doing the same.
New enforcement of an existing law
In late 2025 drivers in Baja began reporting on Social Media that officers at vehicle checkpoints on the Baja peninsula had been giving warnings to—and in some cases seized vehicles from—people driving foreign-plated cars and who held Permanent Residency in Mexico.
Those reports (example one, example two), share information about what appears to be a changing pattern in the enforcement related to permanent residents driving vehicles in the Baja region.
Banjercito, the government agency that manages vehicle import permits, confirmed to our associate MexPro, one of the largest and longest-established vehicle insurance brokers, that the law forbids people with permanent residency status from importing a vehicle using a TIP, and that they are aware that enforcement about this rule is being stepped-up at vehicle checkpoints.
Responding to the new enforcement
In light of recent reports about officers at checkpoints asking drivers of foreign-plated vehicles about their immigration status, and with some reports of ad-hoc seizure of vehicles in Baja, it would be prudent to presume that people with permanent residency status will find it increasingly difficult to drive and keep their foreign-plated vehicles in Mexico’s vehicle ‘free zones’ and may face warnings, fines, and potentially seizure of their vehicles.
If you are currently in Mexico with a foreign-plated vehicle AND you hold Permanent Residency status
If you are in the Baja area, or other free zone, you may continue to drive your vehicle, but be aware from recent reports that new enforcement is being exercised that might result in you receiving a formal warning, or a fine, and your vehicle might be seized and impounded.
Export your vehicle and buy a Mexican-plated car: Drive the vehicle out of Mexico, and back to its country of origin. You could sell your foreign-plated car and use the funds to purchase a car in Mexico with Mexican plates. You can drive your Mexican-plated car to US/Canada; you simply need to buy northbound auto insurance to cover you for Third Party Liability while you’re outside Mexico. (Your Mexican insurance policy will likely cover damage and theft—check your policy for details.)
Regularize your vehicle in Mexico: Depending on the model and age of your vehicle, you might be able to pay to “regularize” your vehicle and get Mexican plates for it using this government program. Using a Customs Broker may help to facilitate the process and help you complete all the paperwork properly. You can buy northbound auto insurance to cover you for Third Party Liability while you’re outside Mexico. (Your Mexican insurance policy will likely cover damage and theft—check your policy for details.)
Import the vehicle using a Customs Broker: There is a process to legally import a car by paying the relevant duties and import taxes and getting Mexican plates for the vehicle. You might need to export the vehicle and re-import it. You’ll need a Customs Broker to guide and assist you with this process.
Applying for Permanent Residency in Mexico
If you are planning to apply for permanent residency status in Mexico, either from the start (as a retiree), or through an exchange from temporary to permanent residency, we recommend that you no longer assume it’s possible to bring/keep your foreign-plated vehicle to/in Mexico, even if it’s driven/kept only in a Free Zone.
Further information
You can read more about Mexico’s vehicle ‘free zones’ and the Temporary Import Permit on our guide to importing a foreign-plated vehicle to Mexico.
See also: Rules about driving a foreign-plated vehicle in Mexico.
If you are a Permanent Resident with a foreign-plated vehicle in Mexico and have some experience about the recent enforcement or other first-hand local knowledge that is relevant, please post a comment below that may constructively assist/guide others.
I am a TR. My wife I’d PR. We just bought a used car in Arizona for temporary trips to our condo in San Carlos. We have temporary “paper plates” until the hard plates arrive.
We paid cash for the car, it has Mexican insurance and full documentation.
The car is in both our names as is the insurance.
What should we expect driving it to San Carlos for less than 30 days?
Tengo una consulta. Tengo residencia permanente mexicana. Pero actualmente estoy viviendo de regreso en mi país. Pero pretendo ir a México a visitar familia y volver a salir de México. Hay alguna manera de ir en mi carro. En este momento el carro no figura a mi nombre pues esta a nombre de la institución que lo está financiando. Tendría que solicitar el permiso para poder salir de Honduras con el carro. Pero no se si podré ingresarlo a México. Gravas por sus repuestas.
I am a PR and I now have a nacional Car. I only want to follow the rules and live without fear. I was not aware of this law until last month shortly after I arrived. As you suggested I now need to drive my us plated car back to the US. Do you know if they are stopping Northbound cars or if is possible to get a permit to drive Northbound only?
Thank you
What did you find out about returning our South Dakota plated vehicles back to USA w/out problems. IE : permits etc??
Hi Tom,
You might not experience any problems driving your car back to its place of origin. If you do get stopped in Mexico and asked about your immigration status, you could explain to the officer that you are on your way now to driving the vehicle out of Mexico.
My husband and I are retired canadians, we are Mexican temporary residents until October 2026, when we will become Mexican permanent residents. We have a home on Vancouver Island in British Columbia Canada. We have driven our vehicle from British Columbia to BCS , stay 6 months , and drive our vehicle back to Canada. We have been doing this for 15 years. So our vehicle is here in los Barriles now, and we will drive back to Canada in April. We have 3 large dogs, over weight for airline travel. For that reason, we have always driven. What should we do to prepare to return in October 2026 driving a vehicle ?
Hi Debra,
When you initially return, as Temporary Residents, there is no problem in driving your foreign-plated vehicle to/in BCS. However, after you change your residency status (that must be done in Mexico) from Temporary to Permanent, by the rules, you cannot continue keep/drive the foreign-plated car in Mexico.
You might not experience any problems driving it (back to Canada), and if you do get stopped in Mexico and asked about your immigration status, you could explain to the officer that you have recently changed from RT to RP (and are driving the vehicle out of Mexico).
Is there any specific info on the length of time (i.e. 2 days vs. 2 weeks vs. 2 months etc) you can (or cannot) operate your US plated vehicle in Baja having a PR card? Example: drive south to shop and spend the night / drive south to stay at my secondary home in Baja for a couple of months. It seems the minute you’re “in country’, you’re in violation.
Hi Paul,
Based on the 2012 immigration law, Permanent Residents cannot drive their foreign-plated car in Mexico for any time period.
It’s impossible to get a TIP for the vehicle if you have Permanent Residency and so outside of the buffer/free zones the law is more easily enforceable, as vehicles without a TIP are in violation.
Inside the free zones, it’s been a grey area as there is no need for a TIP and the law is harder to enforce.
What *appears* to be changing, based on recent reports, is the enforcement of the law–through checks on drivers’ immigration status at highway checkpoints if they are driving a foreign-plated vehicle.
We live in Baja Ca 5 or 6 months and Oregon the remainder of the year. We can’t regularize or permanently import our vehicle because we are not legal when we go back to Oregon. We must register and plate our vehicle, by law, in Oregon. We can’t keep importing and plating in Mexico, then import and plate in Oregon twice a year.
I thought the law for PR not driving foreign plated vehicles was strictly for Permanent “tax” residents in Mexico. (50% of your income earned in Mexico or Mexico is your sole place of residence). Is that not true?
Thank you,
Sue
Hi Sue,
We are aware that there are some posts circulating on Social Media citing that the restrictions are for “permanent tax residents” only, but we have seen nothing official to confirm that.
From the recent pattern of reports, Permanent Residents driving a foreign-plated vehicle who are stopped at checkpoints *might* get warned and/or have their vehicle seized, and in the event of seizure, the costs to reclaim it are entirely on the vehicle owner as insurance companies don’t cover any associated costs when a vehicle is seized.
I am temporary, but will be eligible for Permanent in a few months. I don’t want to import it and then not be able to register it in California. I have a home there but I own a home here too. I am trying to do the right thing, but it seems impossible when I reside in both places. I can’t just leave a car at the border to switch every time I go over.??? Should I allow my residency to expire… I’m under the impression that is worse…
A couple of options .
Drive a Mexican plates car in the USA.
Put dual plates on your vehicle.
Hi Wendy,
It is possible to allow your Residente Temporal expire and re-start the process; however you would need to re-apply (and prove qualification) for residency at a Mexican consulate abroad (if you have defined family connections in Mexico you could re-apply at a INM office in Mexico) and then go through 1+3 year RT process all over again.
It’s probably easier (and more efficient) to get a Mexican-plated car (you might be able to regularize your current car and get Mexican plates for it, see this article above for details/link), and buy northbound top-up insurance when you drive it north.
About Northbound insurance:
https://www.mexperience.com/insurance-for-your-mexican-plated-car-in-the-usa-canada/
We are permanent residents with US plates on our car. We fly back and forth to BCS from Oregon. Can’t we just go to a government office and ‘register’ the car in Mexico and get Mexican plates? Why would we have to drive 800 miles to cross the border in order to have it ‘imported?’ I am also aware that if you drive a car with Mexican plates you must have a Mexican driver’s license as well. I’m all for doing the right thing, but want to ensure what that is exactly.
Hello Janet,
You *might* be able to regularize your car in Mexico without exporting it using this government program (depending on the car model and age, etc.):
https://www.gob.mx/sesnsp/acciones-y-programas/regularizacion-de-vehiculos-usados-de-procedencia-extranjera-408560
Talk to a customs broker for guidance and assistance.