Mexican Driver's License

living.boondockingmexico@yahoo.com

It's been three years since I renewed my driver's license and it was due this month (August).  Renewal is a simple process that takes place in the state treasury office (tesoreria).  Each state is different and the smaller the city sometimes the more bureaucratic the process.  In my case, I live in a very modern northern state.   I went to the offices with my soon to expire license in hand.  

With COVID there was quite a line and they made sure people kept the required distance.  This state department is the most sophisticated and technologically advanced I have seen in Mexico and the state of Texas.  They ask you if you have any changes.  If not, they ask if you want to be an organ donor and then snap the camera.  You go to the cashier to pay and ten minutes later (while they have checked for any warrants or tickets) they call you back and hand you your new license.

If you are an ex-pat and you are requesting your first state driver's license you need the following original and copy:

1)  Temporary or permanent resident visa

2)  Proof of domicile; electric, water, gas (we have natural gas networks in some major cities), cable, or telephone

3)  CURP (Clave Unica de Registro de Población)

4)  Money  (a three-year renewal is 675 pesos  

On the license in the picture below is the following information:

1) Name 

2) CURP  (This federal registration number is made up of your initials and birthday)

3) Address

4) Expiration date

5) Driver's license number

6) License class 

7) The state slogan that separates the north from the south "Proud To Be From The North" 

While I was there I saw this promotional sign.  Many people in rural areas never renew their plates.  If they stay in their area or small town everyone knows everyone and they never get a ticket.  Have an accident though, and the other driver has insurance, you'll lose and pay for the accident plus fines.

Now they are offering to fix everything for the sum of 2172 pesos, roughly $100 USD.  It has to have been registered at sometime before 2005, some proof of ownership, and two witnesses.  What a deal to get people legal.  It provides protection for everyone; insurance, accidents, stolen vehicles, etc.

Saturday was a celebration day.  We had our monthly ribeye and one of the best Mexican wines ever.  We have always drunk La Cetto and we were able to visit the winery in Baja California last year on vacation.  Their best wine is Nebbiolo.  This was a very good Cabernet Sauvignon.  Try it sometime.