It is legal to drive in Mexico with a valid driver’s license in your home country. However, if you plan to live and drive there, you will eventually need a Mexican driver’s license. Once the vehicle is registered in your name, remember that you only have one year to obtain a local permit. So how do foreigners who drive in Mexico get a Mexican driver’s license? This is a helpful step-by-step guide, but before you go any further, ask yourself, are you planning to visit or settle in Mexico?For other ideas and details on how to get a driver’s license in Mexico, follow far away.
Have your paperwork ready
You will need to present originals and copies of your immigration card, passport and proof of residency in Mexico in order to obtain a Mexican driver’s license. You have two options if your name does not appear on the proof of address document, for example if your spouse or friend/partner of the name is on the lease. If the individual listed on the lease is your spouse, you can show a marriage certificate. If the person listed on the lease is your friend or partner, you will need to provide the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) with a utility bill with their name and a letter stating that the address is also yours, which can be used as a Proof of utility bills in Mexico.
INM will provide an official letter confirming this and stating that you are also entitled to use the same address as your own once they have confirmed this. Bring the original proof, a copy of this letter, and the property’s electricity bill. Remember, you will only receive one original letter; therefore, we recommend that you keep the original in case you need it as evidence at a later date.
send in your documents
Once the paperwork is ready, you can deliver it to the SecretarÃa de Seguridad Pública (SSP) office for processing. The receptionist will make sure you have everything you need. Remember, from the moment you walk into the office to the moment you pass your driving test, everything will be done in Spanish. If you don’t speak any Spanish, you will need a friend or translator to help you.
Buy health care and private insurance
Many American expats in Mexico prefer to combine public and private health insurance, as private global health insurance provides coverage for private clinics and hospitals and the freedom to choose a doctor. In Mexico, private hospitals offer better service, faster wait times and better facilities than public hospitals.
go to medical center
Then you will go to the medical center. The center will ask you to provide personal information, including your age and blood type, and have your vision checked. After the procedure is complete, you can go to the test station.
try the written test
You can choose to take the written test in English or Spanish, however, you should be informed that there are problems with the translation of the latter. The test consists of ten questions, and in order to pass, you must answer 8 of the 10 questions correctly. If you do not do well in the written test, they will withhold your paper for 15 days. You are welcome to take the exam again at any time during these 15 days. You must start over after the deadline has passed.
Take a driving test
The driving test is the final stage of obtaining a Mexican driver’s license after passing the written test. When you need to get in the car and drive it to the end of the line to wait for your turn to take your driving test, you will be given a plastic card and asked to bring it along with your photo ID. It is important to note that you will be testing your ability to park the car in parallel on the front and rear 1.5m cones.
You have 3 chances to complete these five actions. If you can park the car in the middle without hitting any cones, you’re done with the test. Congratulations! After passing, you have to wait for your documents and payment. After taking a photo and scanning your fingerprints, you’ll need to wait a little longer to get your Mexican driver’s license printed.
Safe Mexico Auto Insurance
Even if you have insurance in your home country, there is no guarantee that you will be covered in the event of an accident in Mexico. Important: Your Mexico car insurance should be directly related to the country where your car is registered. You can help ensure you have proper insurance coverage by working with a reliable broker like West Coast Global Insurance Services. Whether you’re looking for Mexico auto insurance, health insurance, travel insurance, or everything in between, West Coast Global Insurance Services can help you find the perfect policy for your requirements and price range.
