	AllExperts > Mexico
	Search

About Mexico Mike
Expertise
I cannot answer car permit questions. I can intelligently answer just about any question about driving in mainland Mexico, living in Mexico and hot springs in Mexico. I do not recommend specific hotels, there are quidebooks for that. I am not a Baja expert. That is a different part of the country and there are plenty of people who know more about it than I do. Naturally, I have a web site (www.mexicomike.com) and make a living with personal consultations, but am here to offer good advice for general topics for free. But please understand that I can't answer detailed questions about moving or extensive driving trips to Mexico here without being unfair to my paying clients. And please, no car permit questions.

Experience
Driving Mexico -- I have been driving to Mexico since 1968 and writing travel guides for drivers to Mexico since 1984. I frequently drive the country and have a reputation for honesty and integrity. I will tell people the plusses and minuses of traveling in and living in Mexico. Living in Mexico -- I have lived and done business in Mexico. My book, 'Live Better South of the Border' has been in print since 1997 and speaks to people of all ages, not just retirees. Hot springs of Mexico -- I have been researching and enjoying Mexican hot sprigs since the lsat 1980's. My book 'Spas & Hot Springs of Mexico' was the first book on Mexico's hot springs. It is now out of print, but selling for $60 or so on Amazon as a collector's item.

Organizations
Chamber of Commerce, McAllen TX International Committee, Chamber of Commerce, McAllen, TX

Publications
Frommers, Fommers, Insight Guides, Dallas Morning News, Mexico Business Magazine, McAllen Monitor, Mexico City News, San Miguel de Allende paper 'Atencion' and so on

Education/Credentials
As the author of more than a dozen books on Mexico and psychology, I believe that speaks for my being educated.

Awards and Honors
NY Times -- Profiled for writing about driving Mexico. Wall Street Journal -- Profiled for writing about driving Mexico. Texas Monthly -- ditto. Former Mecia Spokesman (1997) for the Mexican Tourimm Ministry

You are here: Experts > Cultures > Mexico/Central America for Visitors > Mexico > Expired Vehicle in Mexico

Mexico - Expired Vehicle in Mexico

Expert: Mexico Mike - 11/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: I drove into Mexico and crossing into the border I got my car registered for the 6 months temporary permit. While there for 2 1/2 months I decided I was going to sell my car to a family member not know what was to come later. Just found out it is illegal to sell a car in Mexico and now my permit is expired. I am trying to figure out the easiest way to solve this. I understand from authorities that this is a huge problem and I can get jail time and major fines if this is not resolved very soon! Right now I am asking you if you know the procedures on either getting my car back to the USA or getting my name out of this mess and letting the person I sold this car to deal with it?!

ANSWER: Carolyn,

I am sorry, but I cannot give you good news. The reason for the car permits is to prevent exactly what happened. PLEASE do not take this personally. This explanation is for people who might read this to understand that there is a reason for these permits. They were to allow people to drive as tourists but to prevent foreigners selling cars in Mexico and avoiding paying taxes and hurting the automobile industry.

Your relative should have known this. Every Mexican I talk to knows that only cars that are 10 years old can be imported and there is a procedure to follow.

Your only hope is that your relative did not register it in Mexico (which is extremely doubtful since it is an illegal car). In that case you need to return the car to the USA, cancel the permit and pay a fine. Now, you will be driving an illegal car back, and I do not know any way around that. Since you have talked to some Hacienda official, call the office again, say nothing about 'selling' you car and ask how you can drive a car back to the States with an expired permit without getting in trouble.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am slowly understand all of this now. I had no idea that it was illegal to do this and now I am regretting it! And he supposedly did not know!? Now I have one more question to your answer. You say Ill be driving an illegal car back to the USA but shouldn't it be taken care of when I bring the car back through the border or is there more problems I will have once I get it back to my state? The plates and all that are fine until Jan 2010 but since it is illegal in Mexico and all that is there more problems I will face once I get it back to the border and back to my home state in the USA?

Answer
Carolyn,

It is difficult to answer you completely because like most things dealing with regulations in Mexico, solutions to problems are not always clear cut. That is why I suggested you continue talking to the Hacienda office you have already found. If there is a provision to allow you to drive the vehicle with expired permit, I do not know.

I do know that others have done so. As long as you don't get caught by a cop for a speeding ticket or other infraction, you are okay.

But you have a bigger problem. You have to get the car from your relative, AND he will probably want his money back (if any). It is illegal for a Mexican to drive a foreign-plated vehicle. Yet, you see that all the time. So who is to say what is illegal and what is ignored.

I do know that none of this has anything at all to do with your US plates or registration. You will have no problem at the border or your home state.

I do have a contact number for Hacienda where people can follow a procedure to cancel permits for cars already in the USA. I do not know for sure they can help you, but imagine they can. If the office you are already talking to cannot help you, perhaps they can. I charge for this information. If this interests you, go to my site www.mexicomike.com.

Please do not forget to rate the answers. So few people are bothering to say thanks anymore.

Add to this Answer Ask a Question