Driving in Mexico: 15 Tips You Need to Know Before You Get On the Road

Wondering about how to drive in Mexico?

You’ve landed on the right article, and with the right guide! I’ve been living in Mexico since 2018, and have driven all over this beautiful country.

If you plan to drive in Mexico too, you need to read the 15 Essential Driving in Tips I list below — so you feel confident and comfortable on the road in Mexico.

Ready to learn the ins and outs of driving a car in Mexico? Let’s get to it!

Are you renting a car in Mexico?

Many people landing on this article also plan to rent a car in Mexico, so I wanted to quickly tell you about what I consider the best Mexico car rental company.

For me, when I book a Mexico car rental online, I recommend and use Discover Cars — and have for years!

I’m loyal to them because they always have the best rates, offer FREE cancellations up to 48 hours before your reservation, and an inexpensive Full Coverage Policy.

🚙 Booking with Discover Cars in Mexico

Here are the exact steps I take when booking so that I feel confident in the company I’m renting from, as there are LOTS of different companies throughout Mexico.

1. Head to the Discover Cars website and input your travel dates and preferred pick-up location. For more travelers, this will be the airport in the city you’re visiting.
2. You then filter by ratings because while everyone wants to get those sweet Mexico car rental deals, the cheapest place is rarely the best.
3. I toggle on the option for “Very good 7+” because I don’t rent from local agencies with less than a 7 out of 10 Stars rating.

For me, it’s less about the company, and more about the particular office, as many locations are franchises. Some simply care more about their customers.

While often cheap on paper, I’ve found lower-rated rental agencies tend have LOTS of additional fees and extra costs, which send travelers into a fits rage 😵‍💫

It’s like the saying goes: You get what you pay for. If your budget permits, spend a bit more so you rent with the best-rated company possible.

The 15 Essential Driving in Mexico Tips

1. Download an offline map

Your cell signal will go in and out as you travel through rural areas of Mexico, so you’ll want to download a FREE offline map from Google Maps or Maps.Me.

📲 Note: A Mexico SIM Card also comes in handy for a better signal.

Driving in Mexico Tips

2. Avoid driving at night in Mexico

When you live in Mexico long enough, you start to realize many people simply avoid driving at night, if they can. I encourage the same for when you visit Mexico.

However, if you do drive at night, stick to only main roads and paid highways, called cuota roads. These tend to be well-maintained, and have better road conditions.

Driving in Mexico Tips

3. Opt for the cuota roads (Toll roads in Mexico)

In Mexico, there are libre, or free roads, and cuota, or paid toll roads.

As a general rule, always use the cuota roads. Yes, they do cost money — but they’re generally MUCH better maintained, and considered safer to use.

When using the toll roads in Mexico, you must pay in cash for the tolls, so always carry some cash. They only accept Mexican pesos, not U.S. dollars.

🚙 Mexico Electronic Toll Payments

Depending on where you’re traveling in Mexico, different states use different payment systems like IAVE, ViaPass, Tag-PASE, and Telepeaje-Chihuahua.

Though not all rental car companies in Mexico offer these, I always ask when I’m renting because the toll passes are super convenient.

While some roads have yellow road signs alerting you to the topes, keep your eyes on the road at all times, because some topes don’t have a sign.

If you go over one too fast, you can do some serious damage to your rental car, and you might compromise getting your full deposit back.

Driving in Mexico Tips

5. Mexico street signs you should know about

Besides that, Mexico street signs are in kilometers per hour, not miles per hour. For those who are curious, 1 mile is 1.6 kilometers.

Rather than doing conversion math while driving, just make sure the speed limit sign number on the road matches your car’s speedometer number.

In general, the speed limit on streets with no posted sign is 60 km/h (37 mph), and the speed limit on Mexico highways varies from 90-110 km/h (56-68 mph).

Driving in Mexico Tips

6. It’s illegal to use your cell phone while driving in Mexico

It is both unsafe to use your cell phone while driving, and also illegal in Mexico.

Driving in Mexico Tips

7. Understanding Mexican car insurance

You’re not covered through your U.S. or Canadian policy, your European or New Zealand policy, etc., while driving in Mexico, so you will need insurance.

You must have Mexican Personal Liability Insurance to legally drive in Mexico, which you can purchase through the rental agency or a third party.

Legally, third-party insurance is valid. However, car rental agencies will often try to up-sell you their insurance, so be prepared to decline it if you’re already insured.

Some companies even encourage their employees to up-sell tourists who don’t know any better — which is why you should only rent from agencies with good reviews.

⚠️ Third Party Mexico Driving insurance

I rent cars in Mexico a few times each year, and have never had any issues using the Full Coverage Policy I have purchased through Discover Cars.

However, that’s not to say unscrupulous agents haven’t tried to up-sell me their company’s insurance. They have — but I know better!

If you’re driving to Mexico from the U.S., I always recommend getting insurance through Baja Bound. They’re one of the top names in the business.

⚠️ Credit Card Insurance in Mexico

Some U.S. credit cards provide Collision Damage Waiver (CDW insurance) for their card holders.

This is not the equivalent of Personal Liability Insurance, which you’re required to have by law while driving in Mexico.

While I actually have coverage through one of my credit cards, I also know that some car companies will let you take a rental car with just CDW insurance; some won’t.

As I don’t like to take chances — this is just one more reason I always opt for Full Coverage when I rent with Discover Cars.

Mexico car rental Tips

8. Using a foreign driver’s license in Mexico

If you have a valid U.S. driver’s license, or a driver’s license in a language that uses the Roman alphabet/Latin alphabet (this alphabet), you can rent a car in Mexico with your country’s license.

Drivers from countries like Japan and China, which use the character alphabet, will need an International Driving Permit (IDP).

This international driver’s license is basically a translation of your national license into the Roman alphabet so they can read it in Mexico.

🚗💨 Need an IDP? Apply for one here. This company issues your IDP in less than 10 minutes, and it stays valid for up to three years.

renting a car in mexico

9. Mexico traffic lights have an extra step

While you’re legally required to stop at a yellow light, getting from green to yellow looks a bit different in Mexico.

• In Mexico, some stop lights go from green to yellow, to flashing yellow for a few seconds, to finally, a red light.
• I have also seen some lights go from green to flashing green for a few seconds, to yellow, to finally, a red light.

Driving in Mexico Tips

10. Mexico gas stations are not self-serve

At Mexican gas stations, you don’t pump your own gas. When you stop for gas, an attendant will pump it for you and take your payment.

While these people do work for the gas station, they make a very small salary and live off tips. Plus, they’re actually providing you with a service.

When they finish pumping your gas, it’s customary to tip them at least $10-20 pesos (about $0.50-1 USD) if they just fill your gas tank.

If you request or they offer other services, like cleaning the windshield, checking the oil and fluids, and filling the tires with air, tip $50 pesos or more ($3+ USD) at any gas stations in Mexico you visit.

Driving in Mexico Tips

11. Window cleaners at stop lights

When you’re at a stop light in Mexico, you may be approached by someone wanting to clean your car windshield.

If you want them to, there’s no set amount to pay, but $5-10 pesos (about $0.25-0.50 USD) is a standard amount — and well worth it for a clean windshield.

If you don’t want them to, just wave “no” to them with your hand and they won’t wash your windshield.

Driving in Mexico Tips

12. Mexico cops and bribes

If the cops pull you over — and they usually only will if you give them a reason to — they may expect a cash “payment” in exchange for not ticketing you.

The best ways to insure this doesn’t happen to you is to: 1) not speed, 2) not be on your phone, and 3) not break any other Mexico driving laws.

👮 What to do at Police Checkpoints in Mexico

Police and military checkpoints are another story. They can request any vehicle to stop as you pass them on your drive — and you must comply!

I’ve mostly seen these most when crossing borders between different Mexican states, near the U.S. border, and in high-tourist areas.

If you get stopped, they will likely want to see some or all of these documents, so make sure you always drive with these:

• Your FMM (paper tourist visa) or your passport stamp, which will show then you’re in the country legally
• Your driver’s license or International Driving Permit (IDP)
• Your car rental paperwork
• Your car’s registration (which the car rental agency should give you)

Driving in Mexico Tips

13. The Mexico driving age is 18

While the driving age in Mexico is 18, most companies won’t rent to drivers under 25.

As with the U.S., people ages 25 and older can rent a car in Mexico from any car company with no limitations.

Some companies will rent to drivers 21-24 years of age, though they impose a $10-25 USD per day surcharge for underage drivers.

There are a very small minority of Mexico car rental locations that will rent a car to 18- to 20-year-olds — but they are out there.

For drivers ages 18-24, you’ll want to call places directly to find a local Mexican rental company offering underage rentals.

You’ll also want to double check each company’s policy before booking, and ask them for all associated fees for underage renters.

Driving in Mexico Tips

14. You need a TIP when you drive to Mexico

Planning on driving to Mexico from the U.S.? Then you’ll likely need a TIP, which is a Temporary Import Permit (AKA Temporary Vehicle Import Permit).

While there are some exceptions, like the Sonora Only Program, the majority of visitors crossing the U.S.-Mexico border with a foreign car will need one.

Your Mexico TIP is valid for a total of 180 days per year. This can be 180 consecutive days, or 180 non-consecutive days.

Driving in Mexico Tips

15. The Green Angels: Mexico Roadside Assistance

If you have car trouble or breakdown in Mexico, you’ll want to call the Ángeles Verdes (Green Angels) by dialing 078 on your cell phone.

There aren’t many places that have roadside call boxes, so make sure you have your Mexican SIM Card so you can call them in case of an emergency.

The Green Angels is a government program created to help tourists on both free roads and toll roads in Mexico. It is FREE to use, and available 24/7.

Similar to roadside assistance programs like AAA in the U.S. (but free), they can change a tire, bring engine coolant or gas, etc.

You can check for current travel advisories on the U.S. State Department site, and also download the iOverlander app (available for Apple and Android).

This FREE app is one of the best resources for driving in Mexico.

It connects you to other drivers in Mexico to share tips on road safety, accidents, road blocks, construction delays, police checkpoints, and more.

I learned about the iOverlander app from two different women who have done van life in Mexico, and one friend who’s driving the Pan-American Highway.

They ALL say iOverlander and this On The Road in Mexico Facebook group are two of the best resources to connect with other Mexico van lifers and drivers.

Speeding usually occurs on highways, so this is less of a concern when driving in Mexico City or other places with slow-moving traffic.

Personally, I try to avoid it unless I absolutely have to. However, I will admit that I have driven in Mexico after dark without issue.

Mexico road quality isn’t great overall, so you can encounter potholes in big cities, small towns and pueblos magicos — but here are some other things to be aware of:

🚙 Some highways exit are on the left: If you’re following the GPS, it should alert you to a left exit, but of course, pay attention to the road signs.

🚙 Topes (Speed bumps): Mexican speed bumps aren’t usually yellow-colored, and don’t always have a sign alerting you to them.

Sometimes, the sign is next to them and it’s too late to slow down. Even worse, some are HUGE, and can cause damage to your car if you go over them too fast.

🚙 Uno por Uno or Uno y Uno: Similar to a stop sign, this Mexican road sign means “one at a time.” These are common in small towns with narrow streets.

🚙 Lack of signage: The sign you’re looking for will oftentimes be at the exact point where you have to take an action (ie. exit the highway or make a turn).

🚙 Lack of frontage roads: You’ll rarely see frontage roads (AKA service roads, feeder roads, access roads or outer roads) in Mexico.

Final Thoughts on Driving in Mexico

Driving a car in Mexico is a great way to see a lot of places in a short amount of time. Personally, I LOVE Mexico road trips, and do at least 1-3 per year.

Oftentimes, it’s the only way to visit the best off the beaten path hidden gems — far away from the tourists and massive crowds.

As I mentioned a few times, the company I use and recommend for rental cars is Discover Cars — you can check car rental rates and availability here.

If you’re driving your own car to Mexico, check out this article all about Crossing the US-Mexico Border by Car so you know you’re following all Mexico’s laws.