Driving to Mexico Requirements (2024)

FAQs

What documents do I need to drive my car into Mexico? ›

As a US citizen, driving in Mexico is relatively simple. All you need is your US driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance. However, it's always a good idea to have a passport on hand in case you're stopped by Mexican authorities. Here's a checklist of other documents you need to have to drive in Mexico.

Documents You Will Need

All U.S. citizens need U.S. passport books if re-entering by air. Land and sea border crossings accept additional travel documents, such as U.S. Passport cards and Trusted Traveler cards. Child travelers have additional options - see the Traveling with Children section.

Your US auto insurance policy won't cover your car if you drive into Mexico. To have coverage while driving in Mexico, you need to buy a separate Mexico tourist auto policy.

What is the safest route to drive through Mexico? The all-time favorite route among casual tourists and surfing enthusiasts is the Pacific Route. It has the following advantages: It's well-maintained and has good infrastructure.

Whatever the reason for driving across the border to Mexico may be, either renting or using a personal vehicle to drive across Mexico comes with incredible risks to business travelers. Roads in Mexico can be treacherous and are simply not held to the same maintenance standards as the United States and Canada.

When crossing by land, you are allowed to take your personal belongings and $75 worth of merchandise, duty free. People over the age of 18 may bring three liters of liquor or beer and up to six liters of wine. For more details, see our Mexican Customs section.

It is illegal to turn right on a red light in Mexico unless there is a sign that says you may proceed with caution after stopping. But this does not stop the taxis from doing it all the time.

Your employer-provided health plan may have limited or no coverage in Mexico, and Medicare doesn't cover health care outside the United States, except in rare cases. Travel health insurance pays for emergency medical expenses during a trip. These expenses include the following: Ambulance service.

What do you need to drive through the Mexican border? ›

Can you cross the Mexican border with a driver's license? Not any more. Since 9/11, more or less, you need a passport to cross either way. The USA, for an extra fee, issues passport cards which can be used for Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean if you don't want to carry your regular passport.

While dual citizens may be able to travel abroad with alternative documentation, all U.S. citizens are required to present a U.S. passport to re-enter the United States.

Before the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, U.S. citizens were able to travel to Mexico with a government-issued ID like a driver's license. However, as of June 1, 2009, all U.S. citizens must show their passports to enter and exit Mexico.

Examples of prohibited items are dangerous toys, cars that don't protect their occupants in a crash, bush meat, or illegal substances like absinthe and Rohypnol. Restricted means that special licenses or permits are required from a federal agency before the item is allowed to enter the United States.

Whether you enter to Mexico on a tourist visa (less than 180 days) or on a Temporary/Permanent Resident visa (more than 180 days), you need to apply for a Temporary Importation Permit for your vehicle.

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.

Required documents. To enter Mexico, you must present a valid passport and a duly completed tourist card (Multiple Immigration Form). Carry documents to prove the purpose of trip, such as hotel or tour booking confirmations, as immigration officers may request them.