Some people cross the border by road into Mexico for short periods —to work, do business, or to shop— while others will travel further into the country, traveling beyond the 35 km ‘free zone’.

US/Canadian insurance and third parties

Regardless of whether you stay in the ‘free zone’ or travel further into the Mexican interior, any coverage your US or Canadian insurance policy provides will not cover you for injury or damages your drive might cause to third parties.

They don’t because by law, they can’t: foreign insurance policies hold no legal jurisdiction in Mexico.

As a result, a brisk trade exists in the provision of specialized insurance policies to cover drivers, their vehicles, passengers, and property while the vehicle is in Mexico.

Insurance policies in English, valid in Mexico

These insurance policies are crafted in association with Mexican insurance companies, so the policy is presented in English, offered to customers with vehicles registered in the USA or Canada, and sold by insurance brokers who are licensed north of the border—but the insurance policy is underwritten by a licensed Mexican insurer, and thus legally valid in Mexico.

Driving uninsured in Mexico can lead to problematic situations arising in the event of a mishap. If you become involved in a serious car accident, all the drivers present will be arrested pending investigations, even those not at fault.

A complex legal process will ensue: if you are not adequately insured, you will have to raise your own bail bond and if you are judged to be at fault, you will become personally liable to third parties, including payment for any damaged road infrastructure.

Having an adequate insurance policy in place will settle your third party liabilities, and better policies will also provide legal counsel and bail bond payment as part of the coverages.

Online quotations, instant coverage

The process of choosing an insurance policy for driving in Mexico that suits your needs is made simple and straightforward by online quotation systems which capture key information about your vehicle and requirements, and provide a live price quote.  Insurance cover can be arranged instantly online and, in the event you need to make a claim, you will be able to dial a toll-free number and talk with English-speaking staff.

Learn more about driving in Mexico

Mexperience offers articles with insights to help you prepare for your road trip and drive confidently in Mexico.

• Importing a foreign car or other vehicle to Mexico
• Getting a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for your vehicle
• Insuring your vehicle for driving in Mexico
• Your Mexico road trip checklist
• Latest articles about driving in Mexico
• Guide to auto insurance in Mexico

Summary of Mexico’s vehicle import rules

Here is a summary of the current rules.  Details about these rules are described below and on our related article about import permits.

• Foreign-plated vehicles can be brought to Mexico without a Temporary Import Permit (TIP), provided they remain within the ~25km (15 mile) border buffer zone and/or within one of the defined border area Free Zones.
• Foreign-plated vehicles can be driven beyond the 25km border zone and outside of the defined Free Zones by visitors and temporary residents for a defined period by using a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) that is associated with the vehicle.  The vehicle must be driven out of Mexico before this permit expires.
• Foreign-plated vehicles that stay within one of the defined ‘Free Zones’ near the northern and southern border areas do not need a TIP and can be brought to Mexico indefinitely—provided the vehicle remains legally registered in its home country.
• Permanent residents cannot apply for a TIP and thus cannot bring a foreign-plated car to Mexico although permanent residents continue to keep and drive their vehicles IF they remain inside one of the Free Zones.

Obtaining a Temporary Import Permit (TIP)

If you intend to drive your vehicle beyond the 25km border zone (checkpoints exist), or anywhere outside of a defined Free Zone (see below), you must obtain a TIP before you cross into Mexico: they are not available anywhere inside Mexico, nor at Mexico’s interior checkpoints.

The defined Free Zones are:

• the entire Baja California peninsula; and
• a defined area in the state of Sonora; and
• the state of Quintana Roo.

If you drive your vehicle outside of one of the defined Free Zones without a TIP, the vehicle is at risk of being seized and impounded.

Temporary Import Permits: Learn more about Temporary Import Permits for foreign-plated vehicles in Mexico.  They are acquired via the Banjercito website.

Visitors entering Mexico using FMM (Visitor Permit)

If you are visiting Mexico on a tourist/visitor permit, you can import your foreign-plated vehicle to Mexico using a Temporary Import Permit (TIP).

Your vehicle permit when you enter as a visitor will last for a maximum of 180 days and cannot be renewed or extended beyond this time period.

You must export the vehicle (drive it out of Mexico) before the vehicle’s temporary import permit expires. If you don’t, you’ll lose your deposit and your vehicle becomes liable to seizure and impoundment.

Entering Mexico with a Residente Temporal permit

Holders of Residente Temporal (with or without work privileges) and Residente Temporal Estudiante may import their car to Mexico using a Temporary Import Permit (TIP).

The vehicle’s permit expiry date will be aligned with your temporary residency card expiry date.  If you bring your vehicle to Mexico using a temporary residency sticker, your vehicle import permit will last for only 30 days and you’ll need to visit the local customs office when you get your residency card.  See the TIP FAQs for more details about this.

You must export the vehicle (drive it out of Mexico) before the vehicle’s temporary import permit expires. If you don’t, you’ll lose your deposit and your vehicle becomes liable to seizure and impoundment.

Learn more about routes to residency in Mexico.

Entering Mexico with a Residente Permanente permit

Foreign residents with Permanent Residency and foreign-plated cars in Mexico

Residente Permanente visa or card holders are not allowed apply for a TIP.

According to the law, foreign residents with Residente Permante status cannot apply for a TIP and keep apply for a TIP and thus cannot bring a foreign-plated car to Mexico although permanent residents continue to keep and drive their vehicles IF they remain inside one of the Free Zones.

If you:

• have a foreign-plated car in Mexico now; and
• you are living outside of one the designated Free Zones; and
• you have Residente Permanente status; or
• change your immigration status from Residente Temporal to Residente Permanente; then
• you will need to make a choice about what do to with your foreign-plated vehicle, for example:

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.

Defined ‘Free Zone’ rules for Sonora, the Baja California peninsula, and the state of Quintana Roo

Sonora: There is no need to apply for a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) if you plan to use your vehicle within the State of Sonora’s “Free Zone” which includes the popular cities of Agua Prieta, Bahia de Kino, Caborca, Guaymas, Hermosillo, Magdalena, Nogales, Puerto Peñasco, San Carlos, and Santa Ana (green area on map, click/tap here for full size version). If you plan to travel outside of the Free Zone and remain within the state you can get a “Sonora Only” permit.  If you intend to drive the vehicle beyond the free zone / Sonora state you will need to apply for a TIP.

Baja Peninsula: Foreign-plated vehicles driven into the states of Baja California and Baja California Sur do not require a Temporary Import Permit (TIP).  However, your US or Canadian car plates must be valid and any stickers must be kept current while the vehicle is on the Baja peninsula. If you take your car by ferry from La Paz to the Mexican mainland you will become subject to the car import rules described above.

Quintana Roo: If you’re driving from Belize into Mexico and remain within the state boundary of Quintana Roo, you do not need to obtain Temporary Import Permit (TIP). However, if you plan to drive anywhere outside of the state, it’s important to have a valid TIP to avoid problems and possible seizure of your vehicle.

Entry and exit ports

When your foreign-plated vehicle has a TIP, you don’t necessarily have to exit Mexico through the same port that you entered.  For example, you can import the car at the US border and export it through Belize, or you could enter through Nogales and exit through Laredo, etc.

Expired Temporary Import Permits

If you have a TIP and overstay beyond its expiry date, you can apply for a “Retorno Seguro” (Safe Return) program that enables vehicle owners to drive a foreign-plated vehicle with an expired TIP out of Mexico within five days of the permit being issued without the vehicle being seized if it’s stopped by police or at a checkpoint.

Information about the Retorno Seguro program can be found here:
http://m.sat.gob.mx/aduanas/vehiculos/internacion_temporal/Paginas/retorno_seguro.aspx

Lost, stolen, or abandoned foreign-plated vehicles

If you abandon your foreign-plated car in Mexico, you’ll have to pay Aduana (Mexican Customs) 40% tax on the car’s value. This rule was brought-in some while ago to discourage foreigners from abandoning or selling their foreign-plated cars and telling Mexican Customs they were lost or stolen.

There is an established process in place that prevents someone who has legitimately had their vehicle stolen (or suffered total loss of the vehicle in an accident) from having to pay the fee. Proper documentation will be required to get the TIP cancelled, so a police report has to be filed, plus special forms have to be filed with the Mexican Customs office, and the hired services of a Mexican Notary Public will be needed to formalize all the paperwork to cancel the TIP of a stolen car.  While the authorities cannot prevent you from leaving if you don’t pay the tax, failure to do so will forfeit your rights to import any other foreign-plated vehicle to Mexico in future.

Donating your vehicle to Mexican Customs

If you want to dispose of your car, there is a procedure whereby you can “donate” it to Mexican Customs; you can find more information about that here on the Mexican SAT web site.

Learn more about driving in Mexico

Mexperience offers articles with insights to help you prepare for your road trip and drive confidently in Mexico.

• Getting a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for your vehicle
• Permanent residents and foreign-plated vehicles in Mexico
• Insuring your vehicle for driving in Mexico
• Your Mexico road trip checklist
• Dealing with minor and major road accidents
• Latest articles about driving in Mexico
• Guide to auto insurance in Mexico

Auto insurance coverage valid in Mexico

Some auto insurance policies might contain wording that leads you to believe that you are covered in Mexico, but this out-of-country cover, if any is included, is limited to damage to your own vehicle and certain things you may be carrying inside your car.

The most important aspect of an auto insurance policy when you’re driving in Mexico is third-party liability, because claims for damages by third parties can be substantial.

Third party liability abroad needs a special policy

By law, US and Canadian insurers can’t provide third party liability and this coverage must be underwritten by a Mexican insurance company and be specially formed to be legally valid under Mexican law.

Third party liability covers any losses your actions might cause to others. These most commonly include (but are not limited to):

• damage to another person’s vehicle, or their property;
• injuries to another person in an accident; and
• damage to public property (e.g. road structures).

How much liability insurance is needed in Mexico?

While no one expects to be involved in an accident —and far less a serious one— when arranging coverage, it’s worth considering the worst-case scenario: that you accidentally cause serious injury or death of another person as a result of a vehicle accident.

Here in Mexico you can be made financially responsible to the other party (or their kin) if you unintentionally cause the death of another motorist, and reputable insurance brokers suggest that you have no less than US$300,000 in liability insurance and they will usually recommend US$500,000.

Get a policy covers more than just accidents

There are other factors besides financial liability to consider when you are arranging your auto insurance when you drive in Mexico.  The three most important aspects to consider when choosing a policy are:

Legal representation

If you’re involved in a serious road accident in Mexico, it’s common for those involved to be detained until the situation is assessed, fault is determined, and financial responsibility is assigned.

Due to this process, the legal representation which better policies offer will provide you with:

• local assistance to help you deal with the complex paperwork and procedures (in Spanish, and liaise with you in English);
• a fund to post a bail-bond and get you released as soon as practicable; and
• a legal team to negotiate on your behalf if fault and responsibility is assigned to you.

Medical coverage

If you or any of your vehicle’s occupants are injured in an accident, medical payments might or might not be covered. Medical coverage on auto policies vary and you’ll need to compare the choices to ensure you have an adequate amount of coverage, per person and in total.

Assistance for accidents and vehicle breakdowns

When an accident happens, what really matters is the practical support provided by an insurance policy.

If your vehicle breaks-down, or in the event of a minor accident which leaves your car damaged but readily repairable, a roadside travel assistance plan offered by the insurer can be an enormous benefit to you.

Roadside assistance can be purchased as part of an auto insurance policy and offers very practical help in what can be stressful and confusing circumstances.

• In the event of a breakdown or minor accident which leaves you stuck, help with things like gas delivery, a flat tire, a locksmith, or a tow truck to a nearby garage for essential repairs can be a phone call away.
• In the event of an accident, assistance can provide practical support and liaison with key personnel to help you recover more quickly and get back on your road trip as soon as practicable.

Learn more about driving in Mexico

Mexperience offers articles with insights to help you prepare for your road trip and drive confidently in Mexico.

• Insuring your vehicle for driving in Mexico
• Importing a foreign car or other vehicle to Mexico
• Getting a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for your vehicle
• Your Mexico road trip checklist
• Latest articles about driving in Mexico
• Guide to auto insurance in Mexico

Our auto insurance associate, MexPro, offers auto insurance backed by A-rated underwriters that provide adequate coverage and peace of mind for your road trips in Mexico—including all-important third party liability, and practical assistance services that support you in stressful situations.

Auto insurance that’s valid in Mexico

Some auto insurance policies might contain wording that leads you to believe that you are covered in Mexico, but this out-of-country cover, if any is included, is limited to damage to your own vehicle and certain things you may be carrying inside your car.

What MexPro auto insurance offers:

• Insurance from an established company specializing in Mexico auto policies underwritten by A-rated (financially sound) insurers.
• Coverage offered for Cars, SUVs, Pickups, Vans, Motorcycles, ATV/UTV, and Motorhome/RVs.
• Cover for towed units if needed.
• Choice of Liability Only and Full Coverage insurance packages to suit your needs and budget.
• Insure for a defined number of days, or choose a bi-annual or annual policy for multiple visits.
• Obtain cover for the physical damage and total theft of your vehicle, and get the all-important third-party liability—all with fixed deductibles.
• All policies include: Legal assistance (US$30,000 max); Medical expenses after an accident (US$25,000 max); Roadside Assistance and Travel Assistance.
• Trip interruption cover: Assistance to continue your trip if it’s interrupted by accident or total theft with return to place of residence; or car rental; plus lodging expenses.
• Policy wording in English with features and benefits you’re accustomed to and expect from an Insurance policy.
• Coverage terms are clearly provided by our associate, MexPro Insurance, when you get a no-obligation quote.

Do I need auto insurance for my road trip to Mexico?

Here are key points to consider when you intend to drive your car or other motorized vehicles to Mexico:

• You need to obtain an auto insurance policy that covers at least third-party liability in Mexico, because your US or Canadian policy, however comprehensive, cannot cover this.
• All MexPro’s plans cover third-party liability, and their full coverage policies will also cover physical damage and total theft of your vehicle while it’s in Mexico.
• Having roadside assistance will be invaluable if your vehicle breaks down or if you’re involved in an accident.  Legal assistance provides essential coverage while accident blame is assessed.
• Driving in Mexico uninsured is a risk, especially if you’re involved a serious accident—and whether or not the accident is your fault.
• Affordable policies are available to give you and your passengers peace of mind when you’re on the road in Mexico.

Driving on Mexico’s Freeways

Carreteras libres are typically local two-lane roads. They tend to be older and wander along the landscape through small towns and villages without sophisticated highway engineering. In rural areas especially, they are often marginally maintained, tend to be poorly marked, lack a shoulder (or have soft, unpaved shoulders) and they might also present driving challenges like potholes or farm animals wandering into the road. Then there is everyone’s favorite: topes—speed bumps, designed to control speed with bone-rattling effectiveness.

Although libres may sound like a challenge for the driver who is new to Mexico, you may eventually find a local libre that you like using simply because it is more scenic and interesting than a nearby autopista. You are going to find restaurants and fondas, shops of every flavor, old churches, schools, handcrafts, and tire repair shops. Everyday life in Mexico happens alongside the libres.

Autopistas – Mexico’s tolled highways

Across much of Mexico, the local freeways are shadowed by a system of super highways that are built and maintained under the auspice of CAPUFE (Caminos y Puentes Federales)—Mexico’s department of federal roads and bridges. These toll roads are typically either three lanes (one in either direction and a center lane reserved for passing in both directions) or four lanes with a median dividing each side.

Like many highways in the United States and Canada, autopistas are graded and straighter that free roads, they have safe shoulders, limited access and egress, and the signage is consistently clear and accurate. Autopistas offer periodic gas stations with restrooms and sometimes a coffee shop or mini-mart where travelers can seek passing refreshment.

If you travel any distance on an autopista, you will soon become familiar with the caseta or toll-booth. The tolls vary depending on the road and distance traveled, and if you are traveling long distances, the amounts can add-up so make sure you are traveling with adequate cash: ATMs are hard to find outside of urban areas, and not all casetas take bank cards. If you’re a frequent traveler on Mexico’s highways, you might consider purchasing an electronic ‘Tag-IAVE’ chip that’s affixed to your windscreen and deducts credit from your Tag-IAVE account balance or is linked to a credit card.

If you pay your toll in cash, you will be given a receipt, which you should keep for the duration of your journey. On the back of the receipt is the emergency number for CAPUFE.

Mechanical breakdowns on Mexico’s toll roads

If you have mechanical car trouble or see a hazard in the road, call the number and give them the nearest kilometer number; these are marked as small white signs like mile markers in the US. They may be able to send help in the form of “Angeles Verdes”—a roving fleet of repair and recovery trucks which operate on Mexico’s toll roads.  Alternatively, you can call your insurance company if you have breakdown cover included, who will dispatch immediate assistance to you.

In Mexico tow-trucks are rarely used. Instead, the mechanic will come to you and if parts are required they don’t have, they will go and get them. You will need to pay the mechanic in cash. Of course, if you have travel assistance as part of your auto insurance coverage, they can send help for minor incidents like a broken fan belt, or even a major breakdown, no matter what kind of road you are on.

Dealing with accidents on a road trip

If you are involved in a car accident on a road trip in Mexico (whether it happens on a libre or autopista road), the first thing to do is to call your auto insurance company.

Here it’s worth noting that your US or Canadian auto insurance policy will not provide adequate cover in Mexico, and if you’re not properly insured you’ll face arrest, liability charges, and legal costs—which can be very serious if anyone is hurt and/or public property has been damaged by your vehicle.  You can learn more about how to get adequate coverage for your road trip across Mexico.

To learn more about travelling on Autopistas in Mexico, connect to our guide about Toll Roads in Mexico; and to get acquainted with the nomenclature you’ll find on Mexico’s roads, read A Guide to Mexican Street Speak.

Learn more about driving in Mexico

Mexperience offers articles with insights to help you prepare for your road trip and drive confidently in Mexico.

• Importing a foreign car or other vehicle to Mexico
• Getting a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for your vehicle
• Insuring your vehicle for driving in Mexico
• Your Mexico road trip checklist
• Latest articles about driving in Mexico
• Guide to auto insurance in Mexico

Permanent residents and foreign-plated vehicles

Since 2012, holders of Permanent Residency cards cannot apply for a TIP and, legally, cannot drive a foreign-plated car to Mexico.

That law stipulates that only visitors and Temporary Residents may apply for a Temporary Import Permit (TIP)—and by extension bring a foreign-plated vehicle to Mexico. Mexican nationals with foreign-plated cars 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,” and Temporary Residents living in a Free Zone who eventually changed their status to Permanent Residency have been doing the same.

Mexico’s vehicle ‘Free Zones’

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 entire Baja California peninsula;
• a defined area in the state of Sonora; and
• the state of Quintana Roo.

These zones are quasi-autonomous, and foreigners can drive their foreign-plated vehicles freely within them, without the need to apply for Temporary Import Permit (TIP).

When drivers want to take their vehicles beyond the ~25km border buffer zone and outside of one of the defined Free Zones, they must apply for and have a valid Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for the vehicle.

Driving and keeping a foreign-plated vehicle in a Free Zone

In late 2025 some drivers used Social Media to report that officers at vehicle checkpoints near La Paz, Baja California Sur, had been giving warnings to —and in some cases seized vehicles from— people driving foreign-plated cars and who held Permanent Residency cards.

The incidents, which now appear to have been isolated to Baja California Sur (there were, and have been, no reports of any vehicle seizures in the states of Baja California, Sonora, or Quintana Roo) triggered a series of events which caused some existing permanent residents to reconsider their vehicle arrangements.

The incidents also opened debates online about the legality of keeping and driving a foreign-plated vehicle in Mexico’s Free Zones, especially along the border with the US. These debates include the notion that one’s “tax residency,” not one’s immigration status, determines whether a Permanent Resident can drive a foreign-plated car inside the Free Zones.

The SAT (Mexico’s equivalent of the US IRS, also responsible for Mexican Customs) and Banjercito have not published any official comment or official guidance about the matter to date.

In absence of official guidance, it appears that Permanent Residents are continuing to drive their foreign-plated vehicles inside one of the designated Free Zones.

Driving in Mexico’s Free Zones—and beyond

If you are intending to drive a foreign-plated vehicle to Mexico:

Within the ~25km buffer zone along the border: Regardless of whether you’re a visitor, Temporary or Permanent resident; you do not need a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) and can drive your vehicle freely back and forth.

Past the buffer zone and OUTSIDE a Free Zone: If you are a Permanent Resident, you cannot apply for a TIP and you cannot drive your vehicle past the buffer zone. Only visitors and Temporary Residents may apply for a TIP. You must have a valid TIP to take a vehicles beyond the checkpoint.

Past the buffer zone INSIDE a Free Zone: Whether you are a visitor, Temporary Resident or Permanent Resident, you do not need a TIP and Permanent Residents are still driving their vehicles in these Free Zones.

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.

Taking a Mexican-plated car to the US & Canada

If you reside in Mexico, you might own a Mexican-plated vehicle, and you might want to drive it to the USA or Canada on short visits—usually up to six months.

Your Mexican insurance policy probably covers damage to your own vehicle and loss of any personal items inside of it when the car is outside of Mexico (check the policy); however, it will not cover third party liabilities in the USA and Canada in the event of an accident. A special top-up insurance policy is needed.

Short-term third-party liability insurance

Policies for Mexican-plated vehicles driving into the USA and Canada can be purchased on a short-term basis only—you select the number of days you intend to visit the US/Canada as part of the quotation process.

The insurance policy will:

• Cover you in the event of an accident in the USA or Canada and provide third party liability coverage up to the value of the coverage stated on the policy.
• Provide a limited amount of coverage for medical expenses—sufficient to cover very minor incidents, but insufficient for a serious situation, so a separate medical coverage policy is recommended.
• Provide roadside assistance in the event of a vehicle breakdown while you’re outside of Mexico, and legal assistance—as described in the policy.
• You can optionally purchase other defined coverages in addition to those listed above for an extra fee.

These policies are not intended to provide comprehensive coverage but instead top-up your Mexican insurance to cover you for damages in the event of an accident or other incident involving third parties while you’re driving in the USA or Canada.

Learn more about driving in Mexico

Mexperience offers articles with insights to help you prepare for your road trip and drive confidently in Mexico.

• Your Mexico road trip checklist
• Who can drive a foreign-plated vehicle in Mexico
• Insuring your vehicle for driving in Mexico
• Importing a foreign car or other vehicle to Mexico
• Latest articles about driving in Mexico
• Guide to auto insurance in Mexico

Detailed guides and articles about driving & taking road trips in Mexico

Guide to Driving and Road Trips in Mexico

The experience of driving in Mexico is captivating and rewarding. Driving your own vehicle across Mexico’s extensive and well-developed road network provides an ideal way for you to explore these diverse lands and become acquainted with the local topography, the regions, the culture, and the local people in ways that no other means of transport can match.

A safe and enjoyable road trip across Mexico, whether you come for leisure, for work, or to travel from and to your home here, requires some forethought, planning, and preparation.

Driving insights and practical handbook for drivers

Our guides and articles constitute a practical handbook for anyone who intends to drive in Mexico, whether you bring your foreign-plated car on a road trip, rent a car locally, or live here and own a car.

It’s packed with local knowledge and advice that helps you prepare for your road trips:

• when you’re bringing your foreign-plated car to Mexico, whether it’s for regular short trips across the border, for longer road trips, to live here part time, or full time;
• when you plan to drive extensively in Mexico, whether you’re coming for an extended road trip or you plan to live in Mexico and drive regularly here in a Mexican-plated vehicle;
• for trip planning and safety, this guide offers practical advice and local knowledge for anyone who is driving in Mexico, whether you have a foreign-plated car, a Mexican-plated car, or if you plan to rent a car in Mexico;
• to learn about dealing with breakdowns, accidents, and insurance claims, this guide offers comprehensive advice and guidance in case your vehicle breaks down, you’re involved in an accident, and arranging adequate insurance coverages for your vehicle and trip.

Comprehensive guide about driving and taking road trips in Mexico

Our detailed and continually updated guides help you to plan and prepare for your road trip, and drive confidently and safely with peace of mind when you’re on the road in Mexico.

Detailed insights about driving in Mexico

Our continually updated detailed guides and articles include:

Bringing a foreign-plated car to Mexico

Find out how to bring your US- or Canadian-plated car across the border, including FAQs about bringing your car to and detailed guide to temporarily importing your vehicle to Mexico, and what you need to do when you drive your foreign-plated vehicle out of Mexico.

Mexico’s tolled roads

Learn about how Mexico’s extensive network of toll roads can be accessed, including Mexico City’s elevated beltway, and explore whether a toll road or freeway is a better choice for your journey.

Practical and safety tips for driving in Mexico

Our guides and articles share practical matters of driving in Mexico and get tips and guidance to stay safe and mitigate risks, including the rules for driving foreign-plated cars in Mexico, getting acquainted with common words you’ll see in Spanish as you drive, and practical matters for road users in Mexico.

Insights for the road ahead

Our guides also share insights to help you on your journey including a road trip checklist, using gasoline service stations in Mexico, how to manage at military checkpoints, and driving restrictions in and around Mexico City depending on your vehicle.

Vehicle security in Mexico

Read out guide with tips and advice for keeping your vehicle safe and secure while driving in Mexico.

Dealing with vehicle breakdowns in Mexico

Read practical advice and insights about dealing with mechanical breakdowns when you’re in Mexico.

Dealing with road traffic accidents in Mexico

find out what the procedures are if you become involved in a minor or major road accident in Mexico.

Vehicle insurance for your Mexico road trip

We publish extensive information help you understand how vehicle insurance works and how to get peace of mind with adequate auto insurance, breakdown, and medical coverages when you’re driving in Mexico.

Continually updated articles

Connect to our sections about driving in Mexico and auto insurance in Mexico for regularly-updated information about driving and road trips in Mexico.

This article describes the typical costs you need to take into account when you intend to own and run your own private vehicle in Mexico.

Bring you own car, import one, or buy locally?

Foreign residents moving to Mexico from the US or Canada might bring their car with them when they move—but there are rules and restrictions about doing this.

If you bring your foreign-plated vehicle with you to Mexico, you will need to pay for a Temporary Import Permit (TIP)—and note that you can only keep a foreign plated car in Mexico while you are a visitor or temporary resident.  Permanent foreign residents cannot drive a foreign plated car in Mexico except inside one of the of designated ‘Free zones’ near the northern and southern border areas—see this article for details.

If your siltation doesn’t allow you to import a car temporarily to Mexico under the current rules, then you could consider importing your vehicle and getting Mexican license plates for it.  You need to contact a customs agent to do this: the process is complex, carries costs and import duties, and not all vehicles can be imported.

The alternative to importing your own car (temporarily or through a permanent import procedure) is to buy a car locally.  If you do this, we recommend you purchase the vehicle from an established dealer or agency, or from someone you know personally (or a direct personal referral).  If you buy a car locally and use financing, be sure to understand the terms and cost of the car loan.

Car taxes in Mexico

Mexican vehicles must be licensed according to their intended use.  Vehicles for private use need to have current plates, and some Mexican states also charge a Tenencia tax.

All Mexican-plated cars must pay the “Derechos” (license plate) tax. Plate fees and plate-update schedules vary by state—check locally for details.  A plate change typically costs between MXN$2,500 and MXN$5,000 pesos but this plate change doesn’t happen annually.

Some Mexican states also charge an annual Tenencia car tax, that’s based on a percentage of the vehicle’s original purchase price with:

• A minimum value threshold for the vehicle (less expensive vehicles may be exempt); and
• relief for depreciation; so
• If your vehicle is over the threshold, you pay the tax on the current market value (sometimes referred to as the ‘blue book value’ ) of the car.
• This site publishes an article with details of the ‘tenencia’ tax by Mexican state.

Emissions verification testing

Your vehicle will need to undergo regular emissions testing if it’s over a certain age.  Learn more about the emissions tests and vehicle restrictions in and around Mexico City.

The price of gasoline and diesel

Since November 2017, the Mexican gasoline market has been deregulated and individual stations can now charge whatever they want for fuel (competing with other local stations).  Prior to this, the price of gasoline was set each month by the government.

Buying gasoline and using service stations in Mexico (includes a link to current gasoline prices)

Vehicle servicing costs

If you’re living in Mexico full time and don’t return to your home country for regular maintenance, you’ll need to find service options in Mexico to keep your car in good mechanical shape.

Some people will always take their car to a branded dealership; others will look for small independent mechanics to keep their car mechanically maintained.

Branded dealership servicing

Getting your car tuned-up at a branded dealership (“Agencia”) will cost more than getting the work undertaken at a local independently owned repair shop. If your car is new or not too old, it’s sensible to pay the extra costs and get the car serviced at the dealership where the work and parts will be guaranteed for a certain period—and having an agency service record might help to improve the value or at least the marketability of the vehicle if you sell it.

Using a local independent workshop

If you’re driving an older vehicle, choosing the local workshop servicing option will save you money.  The quality of service varies and warranties from independent worships might or might not be honored.  If you use a local workshop, we recommend you ask people you know and trust locally to get a referral from someone you know.  We don’t recommend you take your car for servicing at a local independent service station you don’t know.

The cost of servicing your vehicle in Mexico

Annual car servicing costs will vary depending on your car type and model, its age, the mileage you have accrued, and any special attention it might need, e.g. new brake shoes, new suspension, etc.

As a rule of thumb, a mid-sized car that is one of the popular brands, of an average age, will cost between MXN$10,000 and MXN$15,000 pesos a year to keep regularly serviced at an authorized dealer.  The most popular brands in Mexico are Volkswagen, Nissan, Mazda, Kia, Toyota, and Ford.

If you car is more luxurious, for example, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, you can expect to pay more as the service and parts for these vehicle brands is more expensive.

Ask around for quotes locally and if you use an authorized dealer, ask around at two or three agencies in the area as they are all independently run franchises and might quote different rates for the same service plan, or some agencies might have special deals on servicing.

Insurance for foreign-plated cars

If you bring a foreign plated car to Mexico, you’ll need to get it adequately insured as your home-country policy will not cover you for third party liability.

Auto insurance that covers third party liability is compulsory in Mexico, but this does not mean that everyone drives around insured.

Driving uninsured is a significant risk in Mexico as, in the event of an accident where someone is injured or killed, the police will get involved and arrest everyone until blame and damages have been apportioned: insurance is crucial in this situation.

Insurance for Mexican-plated vehicles

Insurance costs for Mexican-plated cars vary widely depending on the vehicle, its age, the location where it’s kept, and the drivers who will use it.  You can purchase auto insurance for Mexican-plated vehicles from your bank, a local insurance broker, and a plethora of online portals.

Miscellaneous costs of running a car in Mexico

In addition to obligatory taxes, insurance, fuel, and regular maintenance, you will also need to budget for:

Toll road fees

If you travel intercity, you can choose to use the free federal highways or the tolled autopistas. For speed and safety most drivers choose to take the tolled roads.  In Mexico City there is also an option to use an elevated tolled beltway around the capital.  See this article for more details.  Toll road fees have been rising steadily in recent years and can add significant costs to long distance (or frequent) journeys.

Car parking fees

There is often free parking available somewhere, but many drivers prefer to park in a monitored car park, for the convenience of being close to where they are going, and also for security.

Many supermarkets and shopping malls charge for parking, some offer the first hour free (or discounted) with a purchase at the store.  Fees per hour vary between US$10 and $50 pesos or more.  Some parking lots offer a fixed price for an unlimited time during that day, from your arrival until their advertised closing time.

If you live in an urban area with on-street parking only, you might see local car parking garages advertising a “pension“—in this context, the word in Mexican Spanish describes secure overnight parking. Fees for these vary depending on the city and neighborhood. Fees tend to range from MXN$1,500 – MXN$2,500 per month.  Check locally for details.

Car wash fees

There are lots of dedicated car wash centers in towns and cities across Mexico.  Fees vary depending the size of your vehicle and the “package” you choose—these vary from a basic wash to a full interior and exterior valet including polish and wax.  Package fees tend to range between MX$100 pesos for a basic wash and clean and MXN$1,000 or more pesos if you have a large SUV and want the full works inside and out.

Sometimes people watching over car parks will offer to wash the outside of your car while you are away shopping or eating at the store or restaurant.  They usually charge around MX$50-$100 depending on the size of your vehicle.

Parking and speeding fines

Mexico City and other bigger cities are installing speed cameras and new parking meters with aggressive enforcement of speed limits and parking time limits.  If you get caught out, you’ll need to settle fines before you can get your vehicle (re)tested for emissions, and re-plated, etc. On-street parking meter enforcers use a physical clamp to immobilize your car and don’t remove it until you pay the fine.

Learn about living costs in Mexico

Mexperience publishes a series of articles about living costs to help you consider your choices, research prices, and create a budget that’s based on your personal lifestyle situation.

• How to calculate your living costs in Mexico
• Cost of utilities and communications in Mexico
• Directory of stores, supermarkets and services in Mexico
• Read the latest articles about driving in Mexico

Consequences of driving uninsured in Mexico

If you become involved in a car accident in Mexico and you are not insured:

• you will become personally responsible for any damage to the third party’s vehicle (or vehicles, if it is determined that your actions were the cause of an incident involving several vehicles);
• the authorities will pursue you personally for costs related to the repair of the public highway; this includes things like road surface, barriers, signs, and lamp post repairs—and can get expensive;
• if someone is hurt or killed, all drivers will be arrested; if you are deemed to be responsible, third parties will pursue liability damages against you;
• the authorities may charge you with driving without third party insurance that is compulsory in Mexico.

What to look for in an auto insurance policy

Regardless of who you buy your auto insurance coverage from, you should check that your auto insurance policy includes these essential elements:

Financially sound insurance underwriter

Make sure that the insurance company underwriting your policy is financially sound. Policies from lesser-rated insurance companies might cost less, but that lower premium translates into a de facto higher-risk for the policy holders. Don’t just shop around for the cheapest policy—consider who’s insuring you to avoid surprises in the event that you need to make a claim.

Licensed broker

As all insurance policies are sold through brokers, ensure that the broker you engage with is licensed and that they provide full transparency of the policies they offer. You should be able to check the detailed terms and conditions of any policy before you are asked to buy.

Broker’s presence and infrastructure

Ensure that the broker you use is well established in the market.

‘Good infrastructure’ means that the broker has excellent customer services facilities, makes effective use of technology so that you can purchase your policy efficiently.

The policy ought to offer help and support services when you are in Mexico, in addition to the insurance coverage, to include local access numbers where you can call to make a claim, ask questions and report issues, and be able to talk to someone in English, especially if you don’t speak much (or any) Spanish.

Liability coverages, legal assistance, and bail bond

Ensure that any policy you purchase includes coverage for these three essential elements:

• Third party liability: the policy must cover third party liability, including your personal liability to any third parties.
• Legal assistance: good policies offer comprehensive legal assistance that will support you in the event of a serious accident or third-party claim.
• Bail bond: your coverage ought to include a ‘bail bond’ element that will cover payment of your bail bond if you become involved in a serious accident and are detained while the incident is investigated, and liability is assessed. If this process is protracted, the bail bond may get you released pending inquiries.

Local support when you need it most

In the event of an accident or incident and subsequent claim, the level of local support your broker’s insurer has in place in Mexico will make all the difference to you.

• The broker and their insurance company should provide easy access to local support services in Mexico so that in the event of a claim, you are able to call for help with the least amount of effort.
• They ought to offer support attended by an English-speaking service agent who will be able to manage your call efficiently and dispatch the help and support you need.
• The local support ought to coordinate all your needs including accident reporting, legal support, breakdown, and medical assistance (if you purchased these).

Breakdown and medical coverages

The better brokers will offer a comprehensive range of additional support services, which are optional, but are worth considering when you are driving in Mexico.  The two most important are:

Breakdown coverage

If your vehicle breaks down while you’re driving in Mexico, roadside recovery will provide you with the essential support you need to get your car repaired and mitigate risks of becoming stranded.

Roadside assistance may include things like delivery of emergency fuel, towing services, dealing with flat or damaged tires, locksmith support, jumpstart assistance, and provision of lodging and a rental car while you wait for your vehicle to be repaired, and repatriation to your home country in the event of a write-off.

Medical assistance on your road trip

A policy that provides medical coverage will provide round-the-clock medical assistance on your road trips, including in the event of a serious accident, land and air medical evacuation and coverages to support you and your travel companions, for example with accommodations and transport while you convalesce.

Making an auto insurance claim in Mexico

Your policy documentation should be clear about the procedure you need to undertake in the event of an accident or incident, and any subsequent claims.

Here is a summary of the most important points, which are relevant to terms on most Mexican auto insurance policies:

You must make the claim in Mexico

Some people wait until they get back to the US or Canada before making a claim, especially if it’s for something minor, for example, for bodywork or a hit-and-run incident in a parking lot. Insurance policies require you to make a claim while you are in Mexico and most will not process your claim if you wait until you return home, except in the most exceptional circumstances.

Calling the insurance helpline

The first call you make if you become involved in an accident should be to the insurance company’s helpline. In addition to registering your claim, they will be able to dispatch an insurance assessor to the scene of the accident, as well as plan for lawyers or other services to be put in place for you, in the event of a more serious accident.

They may also arrange for breakdown and medical services to attend the scene if you purchased these additional coverages, and they are required.

Paperwork and reimbursement

You may be asked to produce a police report as well as other relevant documentation as part of the claim procedure. In some cases, for example, for immediate repairs to get your vehicle back on the road, you may need to pay these out-of-pocket and get reimbursed when you return home.

Keep all receipts. Your insurance policy will be specific about what to do in these circumstances. In all cases, remember that you should lodge your claim in Mexico—don’t wait until you get back home.

Learn more about driving in Mexico

Mexperience offers guides and articles to help you prepare and drive confidently in Mexico

• Latest articles about driving in Mexico
• Your Mexico road trip checklist
• Dealing with minor and major road accidents
• Guide to driving in Mexico
• Guide to auto insurance in Mexico
• Get a quote for Mexico auto insurance

The US Department of Transport collects detailed records of border crossings every day and very helpfully makes those data available via its website.

To better understand the scope of these passenger and vehicle crossings, we downloaded the data for 2019 —before the land border became restricted in 2020— to get a handle on how much traffic typically crosses the US-Mexico land border.

This is what the data reveal:

US-Mexico land border crossings by type (2019)

The US DOT’s data classifies ‘crossing types’ into the groups listed in the table below.  The numbers represent ‘crossings’ not unique numbers of people and vehicles.  The data reveal that in 2019 there were:

Summary analysis of land border crossings (2019)

There were 239,567,746 passenger crossings in 2019, of which:

• 188,228,921 (79%) were Passengers in Personal Vehicles; and
• 49,175,926 (20%) were Pedestrians;
• there were 2,153,331 Bus Passengers (1%), and
• 9,568 Train Passengers (negligible %).

There were 79,828,599 vehicle crossings in 2019, of which:

• 73,085,262 (92%) were Personal Vehicles;
• 6,591,796 (7.8%) were Commercial Trucks; and
• 151,541 (0.2%) were Buses.

Related to the transportation of goods by road and rail, in 2019 there were:

• 6,520,659 Truck Container crossings of which 4,766,152 were full and 1,754,507 were empty;
• in addition, there were 1,099,834 Rail Container crossings of which 491,994 were full and 607,840 were empty.

Busiest US-Mexico land border crossing points

This table shows the the top 10 border crossings along the US-Mexico land border in 2019, by volume and type.  San Ysidro is the busiest crossing by far, followed by El Paso.  Most of the the annual crossings are made by personal vehicles and their passengers, and pedestrians.

Data Source: You can learn more about border crossing volumes and types and download the data from the US DOT website.  The data sets also contain crossings between the US and Canadian land border, which are not included in the data presented in this article.

Learn more about driving in Mexico

Mexperience offers articles with insights to help you prepare for your road trip and drive confidently in Mexico.

• Insuring your vehicle for driving in Mexico
• Importing a foreign car or other vehicle to Mexico
• Getting a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for your vehicle
• Your Mexico road trip checklist
• Latest articles about driving in Mexico
• Guide to auto insurance in Mexico

Accident procedures in Mexico may be different

Whether you are driving in the free zone or further inland, if you become involved in a road traffic accident in Mexico, it’s worth having some foresight about how the situation will be dealt with here as procedures and protocols can be different to those practiced in other countries.

What do if you experience a road a traffic accident in Mexico

In the event of an accident happening to you while you’re driving in Mexico, the first thing you should do after making sure that  your passengers are alright is to telephone the claims number provided to you by your insurer.

Minor accidents require adjusters to attend the scene

Unlike some countries where minor accidents and ‘fender-benders’ are routinely reported independently by drivers after the event, in Mexico all reported incidents —however minor or major— are attended by insurance adjusters in the moment of the event. The adjusters will assess the damage on-site and file reports on your behalf.

Most accidents tend to be minor incidents whereby some physical damage to vehicles and/or roads need to be assessed, reports filed, and paperwork signed before drivers go on their way and appropriate compensation is arranged thereafter.

If your car cannot be driven and needs a tow truck

If your car becomes damaged in an accident to a point where it can no longer be driven, then the insurance company will arrange for a tow-truck to take you and your vehicle to the nearest repair center.

Check the details of your auto insurance coverage policy to know what is and is not included in a towing service and note, if you’re driving a foreign plated vehicle, that policies will not usually cover your vehicle being towed back to the US or Canada for repairs.

Serious road accidents and injuries

If you’re involved in a more serious accident where someone is injured and medical attention is needed, the insurance help-line agent can call the appropriate emergency services to attend the scene if that has not been done already.

If the police become involved, and/or someone is killed as a result of the accident, you and the other drivers present may be arrested until fault is determined and compensation arrangements are agreed. In these circumstances, a good insurance coverage is essential because they will provide the legal support you will need to post bail and cover third party liability if it’s determined that you were at fault. You may also consider calling your home country’s consulate to let them know about your situation.

You’ll need the assistance of a qualified bilingual lawyer, and you’ll likely need to post a bail-bond to be released while investigations take place: appropriate legal and bail services are provided by the insurance company if you’re properly covered.  If you don’t have any insurance then you will need to deal with these matters yourself, in Spanish, and pay for bail and legal costs out of your own pocket.

If you or a member of your family become seriously injured in a road accident, a medical evacuation could be triggered if you have a plan in place.

Auto insurance for your road trip in Mexico

To avoid potentially very serious problems in the event of a car accident, you need to be properly insured with an insurance policy that is valid in Mexico.

Your American or Canadian auto insurance will not suffice because by law, foreign insurance policies cannot cover third party liability in Mexico. You need to purchase a special policy to ensure your journey is properly covered and that you, your car and belongings are protected in case of an accident or other mishap:

Being properly insured means that if you are involved in an accident, the most serious financial and legal consequences will be mitigated and a good insurance policy will also offer a support line that connects you with relevant service providers locally when you need them the most.

• Learn about auto insurance for road trips across Mexico
• Get an online quote for Mexico auto insurance

Learn more about driving in Mexico

Mexperience offers articles with insights to help you prepare for your road trip and drive confidently in Mexico.

• Insuring your vehicle for driving in Mexico
• Importing a foreign car or other vehicle to Mexico
• Getting a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for your vehicle
• Your Mexico road trip checklist
• Latest articles about driving in Mexico
• Guide to auto insurance in Mexico