Expert: Ron - 10/20/2009

Question
IF I GET FM 3  OR A TEMPORARY VEHICLE PERMIT AND DRIVE TO MEXICO THEN CAN I FLY BACK TO US.  CAN I GIVE A MEXICAN CITIZEN PERMISSION TO DRIVE THE CAR IN MEXICO. CAN I FLY BACK WITHOUT DRIVING BACK WITH ONLY THE TOURIST VISA AND TEMP. PERMIT. OR DO I HAVE TO GET THE FM 3 SO THAT I CAN LEAVE THE CAR THERE? I WOULD BE IN A LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP TRAVELING TO MEXICO WHEN POSSIBLE (ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS)

Answer
Hi Joan,

If you have an FM3 and it is up to date your vehicle can remain in Mexico and you can fly back to the USA.

You can NOT give a Mexican Citizen permission to drive your car without you accompanying him.   

If you only have a Tourist Visa, you must remove your vehicle upon expiry of the Tourist Visa. Otherwise you are breaking a Federal Law and the fines are heavy. When you enter you sign a form promising to remove your vehicle upon expiry of your Tourist Visa. Plus you submit a signed Credit Card Statement that could be used to fine you for the full import value of your vehicle.

Best to have an FM3 and keep it up to date if you want to leave a vehicle in Mexico.

Hope that helps,
  Ron