If you plan to visit Mexico in your car,\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0going to want to\u00a0plan ahead. Foreign driving will expose you to risks with which you might not be familiar. This could pose a risk to your own safety and your vehicle\u2019s integrity.<\/p>\n
You need to carry a Mexican auto insurance policy if you enter the country. It is the law for most drivers, including American tourists. However, even if you get Mexican auto insurance, that\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0exempt you from the rules and hazards of the road.<\/p>\n
Mexican roads have their fair share of hazards. Often, they will be\u00a0similar to\u00a0the hazards you might expect on any roadway in the U.S. You should always adhere to the same (if not more) safety precautions that you would back home.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, unique hazards might cause confusion for foreign drivers. Therefore,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0best to know what you might\u00a0encounter\u00a0whenever you hit the road south of the border.<\/p>\n
Mexico, unlike the U.S. uses the metric system to measure distances and set speed limits. Therefore, you will\u00a0likely encounter\u00a0measurements\u00a0unfamiliar to you.\u00a0Pay attention to your speed at all times. Your car will often include metric measurements on the speedometer.<\/p>\n
Most road signs will be in\u00a0Spanish, and\u00a0might appear unfamiliar to American drivers. Most Americans can\u00a0locate\u00a0a translation guide easily. They can help drivers familiarize themselves with common Spanish driving directions and signage.<\/p>\n
Driving in poor visibility is bad no matter where you go. Slow down and use your headlights when driving after dark\u00a0or in\u00a0inclement weather.<\/p>\n
Other visibility hazards might exist in Mexico that pose extra risks. For example, hazardous rural roads might pose risks if you\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0see how to navigate them. Certain roads might not have\u00a0appropriate lighting. In\u00a0places,\u00a0particularly\u00a0risky\u00a0local drivers do not use their headlights at night.<\/p>\n
In Mexico, you might\u00a0encounter\u00a0unpaved roads, particularly in rural areas.\u00a0Other paved roads, again in rural areas, might frequently go without maintenance.\u00a0Drive carefully on these roads.<\/p>\n
Many of Mexico\u2019s roadways are toll roads. Always carry spare pesos in your vehicle. The good news about toll roads is that they are often very\u00a0well-maintained\u00a0and offer a lot of convenience.<\/p>\n
Foreign drivers might\u00a0encounter\u00a0police or military checkpoints while driving. Usually, these\u00a0checkpoint\u00a0function like\u00a0customs\u00a0booths. The authorities are primarily looking for drugs,\u00a0firearms\u00a0or illegal foods.\u00a0Don\u2019t\u00a0be afraid of these checkpoints.<\/p>\n
Always be patient,\u00a0friendly\u00a0and approachable to the authorities. You should have your identification and insurance proof on hand. Consent to a vehicle search, if asked. Keep in mind, it is best to speak a few words of Spanish with the authorities. It will make understanding each other easier.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, isolated police corruption does exist in Mexico. For example, you might\u00a0encounter\u00a0police who ignore driving charges in exchange for a bribe. You should only approach these situations with caution. Do not assume that the police are looking for bribes when they stop you. You might\u00a0encounter\u00a0more trouble if you\u00a0attempt\u00a0to bribe a police officer.<\/p>\n
Mexican drivers often drive differently than American drivers. For example, they might use their turn signals to let other drivers know that it is okay to pass them. Such practices are uncommon for Americans. Therefore, always drive with the utmost caution.<\/p>\n
Banditry is a threat on Mexican roads, particularly in areas where corruption exists. Robbers often try to\u00a0flag down\u00a0drivers under the pretense of car trouble. Foreign drivers should not\u00a0attempt\u00a0to stop for anyone who is not a uniformed police officer.\u00a0Still, you will find that this threat is often only a passing thought as long as you exercise caution.<\/p>\n
Many pedestrians do not use marked walkways when crossing the street. Sidewalks might not exist, and pedestrians\u00a0frequently\u00a0congregate or walk\u00a0in\u00a0roadways. Drivers should\u00a0look out\u00a0for pedestrians, as pedestrians usually have the right of way. Drive\u00a0slowly, and\u00a0use your lights and\u00a0horns\u00a0as necessary.<\/p>\n
In both rural and urban areas, feral animals might stray onto roadways. These are common hazards that could lead to significant vehicle damage.<\/p>\n
Most Mexican mechanics can make excellent repairs, even at a lower cost than their American counterparts. However, American drivers might\u00a0encounter\u00a0inexperienced mechanics who\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0have familiarity with certain makes and models of American cars. If you feel you need repairs, always seek a mechanic who will be able to diagnose your problem and service your car fairly.<\/p>\n