Mexico Driving Regulations

REGULATIONS

Driving regulations in Mexico are pretty much the same as they are in Canada or the U.S. so they are probably close to the regulations from where you reside. You obviously need a driver’s license to drive a vehicle in Mexico and beyond that use common sense.

SEAT BELT LAW

The driver of a vehicle must wear a seat-belt. Passengers are not required to.

HELMET LAW

There appears to be a helmet law in Mexico now. What this means is you need something on your head. Even a hocky-helmet is okay.

SPEEDING

Enforced [main highways near Cancun, Merida mostly].

PARKING

Enforced. Do NOT park illegally in Progreso, Merida, Chetumal, Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Izmal.

NOTE: Sometimes an officer will remove the license plates from an illegally parked vehicle. This means getting them back from the police. This costs money and is time consuming. If you drive the vehicle without plates and get busted you will compound the problem and pay a higher fine.

LIGHTS ON DURING DAY

You do not have to drive with your lights on during daylight hours.

OPEN VEHICLES

You may travel in an open vehicle [back of pickup truck].

ALCOHOL IN VEHICLES

Passengers can drink alcohol however the driver of a vehicle is prohibited from drinking alcohol while driving a vehicle on public roads.

DRUNK DRIVING

Drunk driving is punishable and if caught YOU WILL end up in a Mexican jail for an indeterminate period of time until you have sorted your mess out. Good luck you will need it.