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Silence820 · Joined: 17 Aug 2009 Posts: 35

I have a valid U. S. driver�s license & FM-3, I have been living in M�xico for almost a year. I was told that M�xico will recognize my license, but I do not want to take the chance. Can someone tell me if this is true? Also what would it take to obtain a license here in Mexico City? Thanks

Professor · Joined: 22 May 2009 Posts: 449 Location: Mexico City

Don't take a chance driving around with a license from the States. When I came to Mexico City two and a half years ago I had an international drivers license with me. I got it from AAA before leaving the States. It's only good for a year and my wife thought it would be better if I had a Mexican license.
I went to the place they have in Grand Sur which is on Periferico and got mine. I just had to read some stuff in Spanish so they would know that I speak Spanish Wink

, pay the fee and I believe show a bill with your name and address on it. Like a water bill or cable TV. It's good for three years.
Get your Mexican license. It's easy and you can use IT for your ID instead of carrying your American license around like I used to do. Keep the American one at home.

notamiss · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 4:42 pm Post subject:

To get a DF drivers license:
Print out a FUT http://www.finanzas.df.gob.mx/fut/conceptos.php#lic with Clave 01, take it to the bank and pay your $438.
Take the payment form, a proof of address of the usual type and your id (passport and FM3), along with copies of all the above, to a license office.

Here is the list of offices: http://www.finanzas.df.gob.mx/oficinas/directorio.html?opc=1&ofc=05&del=17.

PlayadelSoul · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 346 Location: Playa del Carmen

Your US license is valid with your FM3.

If you are going to change your US one for a Mexican one, you have to surrender your US license. If you are going to claim you need a license and want to keep your US one, you have to take either a) a very long exam or b) a course and a shorter exam. Of course, this may vary from state to state. I have a Mexican license because my US one expired years ago.

Professor · Joined: 22 May 2009 Posts: 449 Location: Mexico City

Professor · Joined: 22 May 2009 Posts: 449 Location: Mexico City

Professor · Joined: 22 May 2009 Posts: 449 Location: Mexico City

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

No surrendering of foreign driver's licenses here (Sinaloa).

notamiss · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 12:14 am Post subject:

To summarize the above:

In DF, being able to drive or having ever driven is not a prerequisite for getting a license. They will not ask you if you can drive or if you already have some other license.

kosherpickle · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 93

I just got my license in Mexico City about a month ago with my FM 2. I did not take a test, I still have my state DL, and I brought a friend with me who read/explained everything. It was less than 500 pesos(they printed it and gave it to me in less than 10 minutes) and all I needed besides my visa was a phone bill. They are being...special about the kinds of bills they will accept right now, so a water bill is your best bet.

This was at Comercial Mexicana off of Miguel Angel de Quevedo. Parking was free, too:D

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 1:41 pm Post subject:

Professor · Joined: 22 May 2009 Posts: 449 Location: Mexico City

mejms · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 390

I haven't gotten a driver's license here yet. I just use my US one. When I've been pulled over Rolling Eyes

, my US license was never an issue. But my insurance company clearly states that insurance only applies if you have a valid license. Does anyone know if the US license is considered legally valid? Cops not making an issue of it doesn't lead me to assume that it's legit.

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Yes, it's most certainly considered legal. If you are driving a foreign plated car, it probably is the only one considered legally valid in conjunction with the tourist insurance policy. If you buy a locally plated car in my State, you must obtain a local license in order to register it. But your foreign driver's license is still considered valid to drive a nationally plated vehicle (in my State, anyway).