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Drivers license

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hrlee7804
  9/29/2019 12:25 EST

I am getting mixed responses to whether I can legally have a US drivers license and a Mexican one. I know some do it and just have to remember which one to show depending on whether you are here or stateside. It seems to me it should not be an issue as not trying to deceive anyone like if you had two license from the US.

morepaul
  9/29/2019 12:57 EST

It is okay to hold both. Have for years.

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cedelune
  9/29/2019 12:58 EST

I can't think of a single reason why you can't have both US and Mexican driver's licenses, or where that could possibly be illegal, unless you are planning to renew your license but are a non-resident!
Personally, I got my Mexican license because the hoops to jump through in California to renew a license after age 70 were absolutely ridiculous, and it's illegal to have a CA license if you are no longer a resident. As long as US car rental agencies accept my Mexican license, which they do, that's all that matters to me.

hockeyrick
  9/29/2019 16:40 EST

I have 4, Thai, Korean, Mex, and Calif, problem? I don't think so!

hrlee7804
  9/29/2019 16:43 EST

good info....thanks all!

hrlee7804
  10/1/2019 08:38 EST

I was able to get my Mexican drivers license yesterday. In true Mexican style there were "helpers" working in the foyer of the 'fiscal'. For 500 pesos they already had the application with the police check and the Dr. visit to make sure you could see and not crippled ( I guess) already stamped and initialed. They walked the paperwork thru and put you at the head of the line and waited while you got your picture taken and license handed to you. I for another, 500 pesos, got a second license for motorcycle. In Mexico it is a separate license for moto not just an endorsement on the original. I guess in Mexico you can have a license just to ride a moto and don't need one for a car. There was no test of any kind. I got my license for 4 years and my moto for 3. Both the max available.....about $1600 peso plus $178 for something else at a different desk.

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davidL
  10/1/2019 13:46 EST

Great going!

longtimelurker
  10/1/2019 13:46 EST

Congrats, that was easy. Did you need a blood test?

JaimeC
  10/1/2019 15:57 EST

What state? I got mine for 5yrs in Guanajuato state, similar process on a tourist visa.

hrlee7804
  10/1/2019 16:42 EST

LTL...don't know about the blood test as I went with the 'already filled out paper guys" Nobody ever said anything about blood test just vision and a basic observation of physical health. Just proof of residence/paid bill with address (in my case internet bill) I can't get utilities in my name until the trust is completed....10 mo and counting and passport.

hrlee7804
  10/1/2019 16:46 EST

LTL...don't know about the blood test as I went with the 'already filled out paper guys" Nobody ever said anything about blood test just vision and a basic observation of physical health. Just proof of residence/paid bill with address (in my case internet bill) I can't get utilities in my name until the trust is completed....10 mo and counting and passport.

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RVGRINGO
  10/1/2019 16:55 EST

In most states, you just have to know your blood type. No need to prove it with a test or documentation.

davidL
  10/1/2019 20:23 EST

Here in CDMX, then DF, I was not asked my blood type or, if asked, I said I did not know and my license says unknown (OK, desconocido.) But the first time they printed my license with nacionalidad: mexicana. I pointed that out to the guy helping me and they ran it again. Nacionalidad: extranjera. I got my renewal licence a few months ago and my license still says unknown blood type. I would be nice if my blood type were on there, but no hospital is going to give you blood without checking first, anyway.

davidL
  10/1/2019 20:37 EST

I had Mexican and Pennsylvania licences concurrently until my PA license expired. And many years ago I had Netherlands and Wisconsin licenses until my Wisconsin license expired. My car has now-expired PA plates to go with my permiso temporal.

Has anyone else got temporary permission and come from a state that only issues rear plates? When I first got here I used to get stopped by officers who wanted to know where my front plate was. That hasn't happened in about three years, though.

longtimelurker
  10/2/2019 10:11 EST

As RVG said it was for blood type. My State requires proof of blood type.

You were smart using a facilitator and getting your Moto license at the same time. What kind of drivers license did you get. Chofer?

RVGRINGO
  10/2/2019 10:17 EST

Expired plates can lead to serious difficulties: Your car is legally IN Mexico, BUT to drive it legally, it must have an Importada Temporal AND be legal to drive in its home jurisdiction; Pennsylvania, in your case. Since it is not now legal to drive in PA, it is not legal to drive in Mexico. Transitos probably won't bother you much about that detail, BUT if you have an accident, your insurance may be invalid because of that detail.
I suggest that you get SD title and plates ASAP.

davidL
  10/2/2019 21:48 EST

RVGringo, you are correct and I've been burying my head in the sand about this issue. The permiso temporal is coterminous with an alien's temporary resident status, which can last up to four years, but there is no way to keep your car legal in the US while you are not living there. I have a mailing address in Texas (I use US Global Mail) but I don't live there. The what-if-I-have-an-accident part I had not really thought through. Not good. I wonder if I'll get my $7,048 MXN back when I leave the country? Or if Aduana will confiscate my car for not being legal to drive....

hrlee7804
  10/3/2019 07:57 EST

I got the chofer license. As I understand that allows me to drive other peoples vehicles not just my own. That does not sound like the chauffeur's license I am familiar with but I got it anyway. I did not need one more trip to the 'fiscal' anytime soon. Dealing in Mexico is not my 'fav' thing to do.

longtimelurker
  10/3/2019 08:22 EST

A chofer license is for pickup trucks and some larger vehicles up to around 10,000kg GVW.

It has nothing to do with allowing you to drive someone else car.

Wasn't easy to get your license? All it took was a little efectivo.

Hrlee, if you are going to live here you might as well figure out a way to deal with the BS government bureaucracy. Just like you did in the States.

You need help. Did you like your facilitator? Did you get his/her phone number?

MrsJaneSimmondsPhD
  11/5/2019 17:36 EST

i now have three American Canadian and soon my Mexican driver license. I also have two passports American and Canadian and i get to voted in both nation election American and Canadian

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