Quote:
Originally Posted by Tritone
So in the same respect, I should be able to just drive across the border somewhere. No?
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https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html
You need a Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) which is good for 180 days. Cost is about $20. The exception is if you stay within 18 miles of the US border for less than 7 days.
For the automobile no permits are necessary as long as the car remains within the border zone (within 18 miles of the border). Otherwise, the vehicle requires a temporary vehicle import permit (permiso de importación temporal de vehÃculosas) . As you can tell, they consider you driving a car with a foreign license plate in Mexico as a temporary import of the vehicle.
You need liability insurance as well, as your USA insurance is no good. If you are going to be in Mexico more than about 8-10 days you are better of purchasing insurance that is valid for an entire year.
But more importantly you must have a credit card that gives Mexico assurances you won't sell the car in Mexico (which is illegal). If you fail to return across the border within the required time, they will charge your card. If you do not have a credit card you will need to post a bond for the value of your vehicle. For newer cars, this will be around $400 USD.
You will get caught, as the giant parking lot where you pay your bond are on roads with no exits. The police will pull you over a mile later if they don't see a sticker. Your opinions on illegal Mexican immigrants are not a consideration.
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