For us, choosing to drive in Mexico was an exciting adventure, offering the freedom to explore diverse landscapes and vibrant towns at our own pace. However, there are some unique aspects of driving and hiring a car in Mexico to be aware of to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. These are our top tips: (some of which we actually followed!)
1. Understand the Road Rules and Regulations
Before hitting the road, it’s wise to familiarise yourself with basic Mexican driving laws. Here are some key points to remember:
For any driver, driving on the “wrong” side of the road feels strange. Mexico, like the rest of mainland North America, drive on the right. This means local vehicles will be left hand drive. To make the transition easier, we look for rental vehicles that have an automatic gearbox, meaning one less thing to think about while navigating unfamiliar roads. Generally, we find this doesn’t add much if anything to the cost of hiring a car, presumably because rental drivers are hard on manual gearboxes!
Speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour (km/h). Common limits are 40 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on highways, and up to 110 km/h on major freeways. Local drivers tend to drive much faster, and it is easy to catch yourself driving “at the speed of the road”, but definitely not worth the risk of being pulled over in a foreign country.
In most situations, vehicles already on the main road have the right of way. Intersections and roundabouts seemed to be a bit of a free for all, and large vehicles generally rolled on through without appearing to brake at all.
As you’d expect, seat belts are mandatory for all passengers.
The legal blood alcohol concentration limit is 0.08%. If, like us, you have no idea what this means in reality, and don’t have your own blood alcohol monitor with you, it's safer to avoid drinking and driving altogether.
Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited unless you have a hands-free system.
2. Get the Right Documentation
Make sure you have all the necessary documents before driving in Mexico (and keep them with you in the car):
UK driving licences are valid in Mexico for up to 180 days. If you do not have either a Mexican driving license or an driving license in English, you may require an international driving permit.
Mexican liability insurance is mandatory. Overseas policies are not valid. This can actually be very cheap but clearly hire companies will look to upgrade you and will likely push the need for greater cover when you pick up the vehicle. We politely declined the upgraded insurance and had absolutely no issues throughout the trip or on return of the vehicle.
Carry your vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and if you're renting, the rental agreement. As you get a printout of these at the rental office, we kept it in the glovebox throughout the trip.
3. Renting a Car
We rented a car from a local company, America, which was probably the easiest experience we have had renting overseas, but would still recommend the following:
Whilst we typically opt for well-known international car rental brands, our research indicated that in Mexico it would be better to go with a well-reviewed local company. We would highly recommend America Rental Cars – there was no queue at the office, we completed the paperwork quickly and without aggressive upselling, the car was in good condition, and returning was very simple and without further expense.
Inspect the car thoroughly for any pre-existing damage and ensure it has a spare tyre, jack, and tools. We always take photos of any scratches or marks on our phones, and America Rental also took their own photos which were emailed across to us.
Understand the fuel policy - some rentals need to be returned with a full tank, while others might charge for a full tank upfront. We were requested to return with the same level of fuel as we received it (about 3/4 of a tank), and again we took a picture of this in case we needed to prove it later.
4. Navigating the Roads
Mexico’s road conditions can vary significantly (do not underestimate this statement). Here’s how to navigate them effectively:
Toll Roads (Cuotas) vs. Free Roads (Libre): Toll roads are much faster, quieter, and better maintained. Keep some cash handy for tolls. The toll roads we used were all manned and provided change for larger notes.
Watch out for speed bumps, often unmarked, especially in rural areas and small towns. When we say speed bumps, think ‘almost come to a complete stop’ height, which a lot of local drivers will do, so don’t be caught out by this. Approximately three times per journey I apologised for slamming on the brakes at short notice to avoid hitting the car in front or scraping the underside of the car. You have been warned…
Use a reliable GPS system or navigation app with local data. Download offline maps in case of poor signal. The car we hired didn’t have a GPS, so we used Google Maps on a phone using a local eSim data package.
Important Tip – if you are using Google Maps, please check that your suggested route includes toll roads. Don’t make the mistake we did, setting off too quickly and not realising that our route to Chichen Itza was avoiding toll roads and thus adding an extra hour on to the journey. Not ideal!
Fuel – this is something that stresses me whenever we drive overseas, as fuel efficiency and tank sizes vary greatly by region. Filling stations are plentiful in Mexico, both on the main roads and in towns. Fuel was slightly more expensive than we expected, but we were never concerned about running out.
5. Safety Tips
Clearly, safety should be your top priority:
Avoid driving at night. Rural roads were not well-lit, and animals or pedestrians can be harder to see. Add to this the various potholes and oversized speed bumps and it generally makes for a stressful experience.
Stay alert; be cautious of local driving habits, such as sudden stops or turns without signalling. There is also no concept in Mexico of a “minimum” speed limit. We passed fully laden vehicles going 30km/h or less on the main highway, which you come upon very quickly when driving the speed limit.
6. Dealing with police
If you’re stopped by the police:
Stay calm: be polite and respectful. If you do not speak Spanish, ask if they speak any English, or consider trying a translation app on your phone.
Present your documents when requested.
Do not offer or agree to pay bribes. If you feel a fine is unjust, ask for a written ticket and pay it at the appropriate office.
Driving in Mexico can be an enriching experience if you’re well-prepared. By understanding the local rules, having the right documentation, and staying aware of your surroundings, you can enjoy a memorable and safe journey across this fascinating country. Happy travels!
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