Job Discussion Forums

[tvik]

is it possible to get a license once you get the work visa? I don't have one from the home country

is insurence expensive?

[leegleze]

Yes, but you will have to write the test in Spanish, and prove you have driver training. If you don't, contact a drivers' school in your area and take the course. Hopefully, they can find you a teacher who speaks a little English; if not, you are ... umm ... screwed. Insurance would be a little less than you'd pay in the US or Canada.

Can I ask why you don't have a license from your home country? It's much better to get one there and just come down here and show it to the 'DMV'. They might let you get away without even writing the test, depending on how busy they are.

[Samantha]

You didn't say where you planned to live in Mexico, but you should be aware that the Driving License requirements are different in each State. Here in the State of Sinaloa, there is a mandatory class (in Spanish) followed by written exams. They DO offer the exam in English here, and it's mostly common sense questions. It was multiple choice, so they could mark it easily from an answer key. I got one answer wrong, so I asked the traffic cop what the right answer was. He said, and I quote, "It doesn't matter, you passed".

There is no requirement to have a license from anywhere else. A driver's course is not required, either. Just a short drive around the block. A blood test is required so they can add blood type to the license. They are picky about the FM3/FM2 and how much time you have remaining on it. There is also some issue about having lived here for a certain amount of time, so that they aren't issuing DL's to tourists, for souvenirs. I use my DL for ID all the time, so it's really handy to have. (My home DL expired a long time ago.)

Insurance isn't that expensive here, compared to what I was used to paying. It's also not compulsory and way too many people are driving around without it. It would be extremely foolish to drive without it, as a foreigner. Liability coverage can be purchased for less than $2000 pesos a year (at least with our insurance company). When you start getting into theft insurance and other coverages it will depend on the age of your vehicle and it's value. Liability coverage is really important. Having an accident in Mexico, is not all that pleasant, especially once the traffic cops show up.

[Professor]

Dude, come to the DF. All I had to do was read a little in Spanish...nada mass. Viva el DF!! Blood work samantha??!!! SCREW THAT. You read a LITTLE in Spanish, pay and get your picture and wait. No tests or anything. I don't think they even asked for my license from the States.

[Samantha]

Don't you think that having your blood type on your Driver's Licence makes good sense in case of an accident? I have no problem with that at all.

I bet there is no requirement anywhere in Mexico to show a previous DL. I would guess that a good many people driving in this country don't have a DL at all.

hehe...I always thought it looked faster to walk in el DF, than to drive. Do you still have to alternate driving days, or is that a thing of the past?

[Professor]

[Professor]

[Guy Courchesne]

Some info here...

http://www.locatel.df.gob.mx/index.php?id=9

Then there's doble hoy no circula if air quality is at a particular level, which happens a couple times per year and takes more cars off the road. This past June the city lowered the threshold at which doble hoy no circula kicks in, so we may see more of these this winter.

[Phil_K]

It's now after 8 years when you can't get a "Zero" - i.e. circulate every day. However, if your emissions aren't up to scratch before those 8 years, you may still lose your "zero". I know someone whose 4 year-old Tsuru failed!

My car is now over 6 years old and I'm still on the road every day, but I hold my breath every time I go for a verification. Time to think about a new car methinks!

[MotherF]

Totally depends on where you live.
In Oaxaca, simply being foriegn is proof enough that you can drive.

And insuranse if for people with fancy cars at risk of being stolen or broken in to.

And if your blood type is ANY thing other than O positive for heaven's sake put it on your driver's license, or the hospital might kill you while trying to patch you up.

I once saw a report on TV that only 25% of the transit police in el defectoso had driver's licenses!

[Phil_K]

It was the same in D.F. when I got my licence in 2003. I went to the Tesoror�a in Mega in Coyoacan and the procedure was as follows:

Which tramit� do you want? Driver's licence
Pay at check out
Present receipt, proof of address and ID
Smile for camera
Wait 15 minutes
Licence for life

I don't know if it's still the same now.

[notamiss]

Currently, you can find the requirements for a DF driver�s license here:
http://www.df.gob.mx/wb/gdf/licencia_de_conducir_particular

The process is:
Either generate a formato �nico (http://www.finanzas.df.gob.mx/fut/conceptos.php), or get a linea de captura and fill out the formato �nico. In either case, take your formato to the bank and pay.
Bring this proof of payment, with copy, to the licence office, along with
-ID (passport and visa) with copies
-proof of address, with copy
You will be asked to sign a sworn statement that your declared data are true and correct (they will give you the form at the license office).

And that�s all!
Driving competence and blood type aren�t part of the process.

[TeresaLopez]

[Guy Courchesne]

I thought the licenses in DF were no longer for life? I've never bothered getting one myself.

Oh nevermind...there it is on Notamiss' link.

[Prof.Gringo]