Driving to Mexico in a New Car (2024)

FAQs

Can I take my brand new car to Mexico? ›

New cars can be imported (up to 1 car per person per year without registering as importer). You must use the services of a Customs Broker. This can be done in any border or port where your car arrives to Mexico.

To drive into Mexico from the U.S., you're required to bring the appropriate identification, a couple permits (depending on how far into Mexico you're going), and your proof of Mexico auto insurance. If your car is financed, you'll also need a letter of permission from your lender.

In addition to a valid passport, you will need a free, short-term permit known as an FMM, acquired from the Mexican authorities at the Mexican port of entry or online. Mexican auto insurance: you should never drive in Mexico without Mexican auto insurance.

It is legal to travel in Mexico with current temporary U.S. tags. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. If you do not have either the appropriate tags or the appropriate registration on your car, you might not be able to obtain a temporary vehicle importation permit to drive past the border free zone.

If you are entering Mexico as a Permanent Resident, you may not bring a foreign plated car into Mexico on a TIP. Instead, you must nationalize the car. Nationalizing the vehicle gives you permission to keep it in the country indefinitely.

There is a very good chance that your beloved vehicle won't meet these meticulous standards. Mexico states that any vehicle in Mexico for more than 180 days must be legally imported and registered in the state of your residence. Mexico has full discretion over which vehicles it lets Americans and Canadians import.

Can I drive across the border in my own car? Yes. However, if you are thinking about travelling in further than the border cities, you'll need to carry out certain transactions beforehand that we'll discuss later. Furthermore, you'll have to pay some fees and carry documentation with you.

Mexican law requires that any vehicle operating on federal roads carries third-party liability insurance to provide coverage for damage caused in an at-fault accident. As stated earlier in this page, your US insurance policy will not cover your vehicle while driving in Mexico.

Valid driving licences from most countries are legal in Mexico, including UK, EU, Canadian and US licenses. However, you may be required to purchase an International Driving Permit if your license is not printed in English. This will allow you to drive in Mexico for two year after it is issued.

If you are visiting Mexico for more than 7 days, you are required to make the payment for the Non Resident Fee (DNR) that is currently $687 MXN as in 2023. Expedite your process making your payment online via wire transfer to any Mexican bank. You must show your voucher along with your documents.

How many miles into Mexico does my insurance cover? ›

It is better to think of this as covering only your vehicle losses in Mexico, but it cannot cover your financial responsibility to others (liability). Mileage restriction - Generally, U.S. auto policies have a mileage restriction into Mexico (usually between 25-100 miles).

Food, including spices, tinned products, canned goods, supplements and pet food. Beverages, including wine, beer and spirits. Toiletries, sanitary goods and cosmetics. Hunting trophies and taxidermy items.

U.S. citizens must present a valid U.S. passport book or card, and an entry permit issued by Instituto Nacional de Migración. Enter Mexico with valid proof of automobile registration, even if remaining in the border zone.

If you enter or leave Mexico, you must declare any sum of money equaling US$10,000 or more that you bring in cash, checks, money orders, other cashable documents or a combination of them. Failing to declare carries a fine ranging from 20% to 40% of the exceeding amount.

Nonresidents may import a vehicle duty-free for personal use up to (1) one year if the vehicle is imported in conjunction with the owner's arrival. Vehicles imported under this provision that do not conform to U.S. safety and emission standards must be exported within one year and may not be sold in the U.S.

The short answer to the titled question is yes, it is safe to drive in Mexico with US plates. No major issues will present themselves.

Items you can bring without a permit or paying taxes, including: New or used goods for personal use, such as clothes, shoes, including any wedding party attire, and toiletries in a quantity appropriate for the length of your trip and that does not appear as if you may be intending to sell them.