Driving in Mexico is primarily for the truly adventurous. In many areas of the country, driving takes on the characteristics of a frontier trek. In Mexico City, the world's largest and most polluted urban center, it can be a nightmare. The only exception to the general rule dictating that outsiders refrain from driving in Mexico involves the towns near the U.S. border. Travelers can also generally include Monterrey as a reasonable place to drive, because the city has new four-lane toll roads connecting it to Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa, making it a straightforward three-hour drive from the border. The distances are short enough, the roads in good enough repair, the law enforcement and services availability good enough—and the alternatives poor enough—to make driving to these bustling industrial and commercial centers a reasonable proposition.

Rules of the Road
Never park illegally in Mexico: the police will either confiscate your license plates--which means a trip to the police station to pay a fine--or confiscate the car should the license plates be welded to the car. Always obey the speed limits in the cities and towns to avoid a "fine" that seems to be payable directly to the police officer. Use only premium fuel (higher than U.S. unleaded) or magna sin (the mid-grade fuel) at the Pemex stations. Magna sin is about 87 octane, and comes out of the bright green pumps. Heavy motor homes, however, should consider premium fuel to avoid pinging and knocking in the engine. At this point, one might only find the premium gas in larger cities and towns; use it when it is available.

Do not park cars on the street, especially at night. After 1 a.m. the streets become more dangerous. If involved in an accident, many local drivers prefer to disappear into the traffic mass than deal with police, who will likely arrive seeking bribes or prisoners. Avoid driving on Mexican highways at night. Even multi-lane expressways in Mexico often have narrow lanes and steep shoulders. Single-vehicle rollover accidents involving tourists are common, often resulting in death or serious injury to vehicle occupants. Use extreme caution when approaching towns, driving on curves, and passing large trucks.

Motorists should be aware that within Mexico City, vehicular traffic is restricted in order to reduce air pollution. The restriction is based on the last digit of the vehicle license plate. This applies equally to permanent, temporary, and foreign plates. At last report, the assigned days were as follows:

Monday: No driving if license plate ends with 5 or 6.
Tuesday: No driving if license plate ends with 7 or 8.
Wednesday: No driving if license plate ends with 3 or 4.
Thursday: No driving if license plate ends with 1 or 2.
Friday: No driving if license plate ends with 9 or 0.
Saturday and Sunday: All vehicles may be driven.

Cars with license plates containing only letters may not drive on Fridays.

Accidents 

If you are involved in an automobile accident, you will be taken into police custody until it can be determined who is liable and whether you have the ability to pay any penalty. If you do not have Mexican liability insurance, you may be prevented from departing the country even if you require life-saving medical care, and you are almost certain to spend some time in jail until all parties are satisfied that responsibility has been assigned and adequate financial satisfaction received. Drivers may face criminal charges if injuries or damages are serious.

Roadside Assistance
If you have an emergency while driving, start by trying "066," the emergency number. However, this number is not always answered. If you are driving on a toll highway (or "cuota") or any other major highway, and you run into road trouble—have a breakdown or an accident, run out of fuel, need a tow, or seek protection from criminals--the Green Angels can come to your aid. The Mexican Tourism Administration operates the Angeles Verdes, a radio-dispatched fleet of 250 trucks with bilingual drivers who patrol certain sections of highway from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Roadside phones to call them exist within their patrol areas. If you are unable to call them, pull off to the side of the road and lift the hood of your car; chances are that they will find you.Their services are free, and they sell parts and fuel at cost. (They do appreciate tips.)  

Angeles Verdes
(24 hours, toll-free)
Tel: [01] (55) 5 250-8221, 250-8555, ext. 31444 

US car rental companies have varying restrictions on their cars being taken into Mexico from the United States. Or you can rent a car at exorbitant rates from the Mexican branches of U.S.-based auto rental firms.  Neither your personal auto insurance nor your credit card car rental insurance coverage will be in force in Mexico. Carefully check your rental car—it is common to get one with bald tires, dents, scratches, and missing parts. In addition to the safety issues these conditions suggest, you can be charged for them upon return unless you have noted them in writing before signing the contract and accepting the vehicle.

Driving Your Own Car
If you drive your own car into Mexico, you need Mexican auto insurance, which you can buy at crossings on either side of the border for about US$10 to US$20 a day. If you get into an accident and don't have Mexican insurance, you will probably end up in jail while the authorities decide what to do about you; under Mexico's Napoleonic Code legal system, you are basically guilty until proven innocent. US automobile liability insurance is not valid in Mexico nor is most collision and comprehensive coverage issued by US companies. Therefore, when you cross the border, please purchase auto insurance adequate for your needs in Mexico. A good rule of thumb is to buy coverage equivalent to that which you carry in the United States. Motor vehicle insurance is considered invalid in Mexico if the driver is found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers may also face criminal charges if the injuries or damages are serious.

The Government of Mexico strictly regulates the entry of vehicles into Mexico (Please see information on bringing your car into Mexico in "Travel Essentials" under "Customs Entry (Personal)." Mexican Customs laws require that vehicles must be driven by the owner or the owner must be inside the vehicle. If not, the vehicle may be seized by Mexican customs and will not be returned under any circumstances.

If you are driving your car from the US into Mexico and expect to travel outside the border zone or free trade zone (including the Baja California Peninsula and the Sonora Free Trade Zone), you will need to obtain a permit for temporary importation of the car. The permit is valid for periods of up to six months and is good for multiple crossings during that time. Be certain to carry the permit with you at all times, but do not leave it in the car, since you will need it if the car is stolen or damaged. If you are stopped and are unable to present valid documents, the car can be confiscated immediately.

For additional information concerning Mexican driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, mandatory insurance, etc., contact:
Mexican Secretariat of Tourism (SECTUR)
Tel: 1-800-44-MEXICO (639-426)
Web: http://mexico-travel.com.

Travelers are advised to consult with the Mexican Embassy or the nearest Mexican consulate for additional, detailed information prior to entering Mexico.