4 Things to Know Before Driving in Mexico

Are you considering driving across the Southern border of the United States into Mexico for business or leisure? Your road trip planning may demand a few more steps than you expect.

Make sure you have covered all the bases by checking off the following from your Mexico trip to-do list.

What Documents are needed to Drive into Mexico?

• A valid U.S. or Canadian passport
• A valid U.S. or Canadian driver's license
• Proof of automobile registration
• A Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TVIP) When is this Permit Required? (Click here to Learn More)
• A Mexico tourist card (FMM or "Forma Migratoria Múltiple")
• A Mexico auto insurance policy

Preparing for Your Drive Across the U.S. and Mexico Border

Consider tackling your travel planning in these four steps to ensure that your drive to Mexico is as hassle-free as possible:

Step 1: Gather your documents and plan your Mexico driving route.

Start preparing for your Mexico road trip by gathering existing documents required for border crossing—you already have a valid U.S. or Canadian passport, driver's license, and automobile registration.

Next, consider your Mexico driving route and the number of days you plan to spend South of the border. You should also determine how far you wish to drive into Mexico not only for your entire trip but each indivudal day, as driving at night in Mexico is not recommended.

If your road trip’s route does not go beyond the "Free Zone" in Mexico, you would not have to acquire Temporary Importation Permit.

Planning your driving route is the key to determine whether it will be required to obtain a TVIP or not.

Step 2: Purchase Mexico auto insurance.

Whether you rent a car before you drive into Mexico or plan to drive your own vehicle across the border, you must carry a Mexico tourist auto insurance policy for your trip, as your U.S. and Canadian auto insurance policy is not valid in Mexico.

There is no margin for errors here—you are at the mercy of the Mexican courts if you do not have proper insurance.

You can buy your Mexico auto insurance online in just a few minutes which is recommended so you obtain the best pricing and remove an important item from your task list.

Step 3: Obtain a TVIP and FMM.

If you plan to drive outside of the border area or "free zone", which includes Baja California and or—between 12 and 16 miles from the Mexico–United States border—you must obtain a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TVIP) and a tourist card (FMM). Failure to do so exposes you to hefty fines and/or having your vehicle confiscated by Mexican customs officials.

While you can obtain both TVIP and FMM on arrival at the border, it may be a clever idea to apply for these cards online before you hit the road.

Step 4: Prepare for your road trip.

Spend some time before your trip familiarizing yourself with Mexican driving laws, road signs, and any current travel advisories.

As you plan your trip, you should also think about basic safety measures. If you find yourself in a bind, having a roadside emergency kit and a list of emergency contacts on hand can come in handy.

Wrapping it Up

So there you have it: Four things you should know before driving south of the border. By spending a little time planning your trip, you can keep travel-related stress to a minimum and have a wonderful time in México.

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