What Do I Need to Travel to Mexico by Car? 10 Tips to Follow [2022]

What Do I Need to Travel to Mexico by Car? 10 Tips to Follow

Are you planning a trip to Mexico by car? We’ll break down the details and help make your journey a breeze.

You could cause more delays and longer wait times for everyone if you are a U.S. citizen entering Mexico by land and don’t have a U.S. passport.

Ready Lanes, equipped to scan the Radio Frequency Identification (RFI) technology included in passport cards issued by the United States, allow adults and minors to breeze through customs inspections.

However, here are some additional things you may need to consider.

Do You Need Auto Insurance in Mexico?

The number one question readers ask is, “do I need Mexican vehicle insurance to travel to Mexico?”

The correct response is yes. You’ll also need a few other pieces of paperwork, and you’ll find out about them here, in addition to the insurance you’ll need.

You’ll learn where to obtain rental vehicles for the journey to Mexico and helpful driving advice. This will help put you at ease on the road after you’ve crossed the borders.

Standards for Entry Into Mexico

You may be thinking, what papers are necessary to drive to Mexico? Do I need vehicle insurance to drive in Mexico? You’ll need the following items to drive over the border between the United States and Mexico.

  1. Passport issued by the United States that is currently valid (or U.S. green card).
  2. Document proving eligibility to operate a motor vehicle in the United States (or international driving permit).
  3. Coverage for vehicles in Mexico from an insurance company.
  4. Legal papers for the car.
  5. Temporary Import Permit (TIP).
  6. Multiple entry visa.
  7. A Passport or Green Card

When planning a road trip to Mexico, this is one of the most pressing concerns you must resolve. A valid passport or card, or a valid permanent resident card (green card), is a must.

The average length of a tourist’s stay in Mexico is 180 days (or 6 months). As such, your passport or green card must be valid for at least another six months from the date of entry.

To enter the United States on January 1st, your passport must be valid for at least another six months.

  1. The Passport Application Process in the United States

Citizens of the United States may submit their applications at more than 7,000 designated sites around the country. An expedited passport service will cost more and take more time, so if you need one, don’t put off applying for one.

  1. Insurance for Drivers in Mexico

You may wonder, “Will my American car insurance cover me in Mexico?”. It will not. No auto insurance from the United States or Canada covers you when driving in Mexico. A standard U.S. vehicle insurance coverage will not cover you if you drive across the border into Mexico.

  1. Is It Possible to Get Mexican Auto Insurance Upon Entry?

No — you cannot purchase insurance at the border between the United States and Mexico. You won’t be able to cross the border into Mexico unless you have proof of insurance.

  1. A Valid Driver’s License in the United States

A valid driver’s license from any U.S. state will allow you to drive into Mexico.

Your driver’s license, like your passport, should have at least six months left before it expires to ensure a smooth passage into Mexico. Although having an emergency kit in your vehicle is not mandated by law in Mexico, we strongly recommend it.

For less than $90, you can get a car emergency safety kit that provides everything you’ll need in case of an accident or breakdown.

  1. Certificate of Registration for Your Vehicle

The border officials at the United States – Mexico border will want to see proof of current vehicle registration. Don’t bother driving into Mexico if you don’t have this or it’s expired.

  1. Temporary Importation Permit for Your Vehicle

You’ll need a Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit Card or TIP to bring your automobile into Mexico. You may receive this at the border when you cross or in advance of your journey.

You should acquire one if you want to avoid the huge lines at the border.

It is possible to get TIP services by contacting the closest Mexican consulate or embassy in the United States.

You may apply for permission to drive in Mexico up to 60 days before your trip, but make sure to receive it more than seven days before you leave the country.

  1. Mexican Tourist Identification Card

Your visa to enter Mexico is called a Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM). If you want to visit Mexico lawfully, you’ll need to show that you have an FMM.

Keep your FMM with you if law enforcement or immigration officials stop you. Your FMM may be obtained in the United States in certain situations before you leave for Mexico. It’s also common practice for folks to get theirs at the border. Obtaining this takes merely a few minutes, compared to hours, for  TIP Mexico automobile permits. The cost of the FMM is around $30.

  1. You Can’t Fill Your Gas Tank in Mexico

At gas stations, attendants pump your gas and collect money. Most gas station attendants are independent contractors who rely on customer tips for survival.

After they finish their work, you should give them a tip, or more if you requested additional services like inspecting your tires.

  1. Watch Out for Mexican Traffic Lights

Mexico’s traffic signals are more complicated than those in the United States. In Mexico, the sequence of colors at stoplights is green, yellow, flashing for a few seconds, and finally, red. You shouldn’t try to beat a yellow light by speeding. Like in the United States, you must stop at all yellow traffic lights.

Conclusion – Crossing the Mexican Border in Your Car

It’s time to hit the road after you’ve gotten your documentation in order and bought Mexico vehicle insurance.

In other words, you need to have your insurance papers in hand before you cross the border into Mexico; it is not possible to get insurance there.

The number of cars crossing the border from the United States into Mexico is huge, so expect delays, particularly on weekends. You should come in a pleasant mood since this is not the place to lose your cool.