Resources
Driving into Mexico: what you need before you cross
Documents, insurance, the crossing, money and phone — in the order you'll need them, with the official source for each.
Most border-day problems come from something that should have been sorted at home: a missing vehicle permit, insurance bought in a hurry at the bridge, an FMM nobody stamped. This list covers each step, and links to the government source wherever one exists. Some items are partner services we may earn a commission on; they sit alongside the free ones, not ahead of them.
1. Documents
Sort these before anything else. Every one of them is free to look up, and most of them cannot be fixed at the border if you arrive without them.
FMM tourist permit (INM)
Mexico's immigration form, issued by the Instituto Nacional de Migración. By land you fill it in online, print it, and have it stamped at the INM office at the crossing. INM sets who needs one and what it costs.
Source: Consulate of Mexico in Montreal
Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) — Banjercito
The Consulate of Mexico in Montreal says a foreign vehicle needs a temporary import permit, applied for online at Banjercito's site 60 to 7 days ahead or at the border, with a fee and a deposit by model year. An expired permit while the car is still in Mexico can mean impound and a fine, and the permit can't be returned through consulates, and you must return the permit at a Banjercito module when you leave, or the deposit is not refunded.
Sonora free zone and the Sólo Sonora permit
Northwest Sonora is a free circulation zone for foreign vehicles (the state says it runs to km 98 of Highway 15 at Empalme). Driving into the rest of the state takes the Sólo Sonora permit, valid for 180 days, from the Sonora state government.
Licence and vehicle ownership papers
Your driver's licence plus the title or current registration in your name. Banjercito asks for the original and a photocopy of each.
2. Insurance
Mexican federal law requires every vehicle on a federal road, route or bridge to carry insurance covering damage to third parties and their property, and sets a fine for driving without it (Ley de Caminos, Puentes y Autotransporte Federal, art. 63 Bis and 74 Bis II, diputados.gob.mx). Baja Bound’s FAQ says US and Canadian policies are not considered proof of financial responsibility under Mexican law (bajabound.com/faqs). US health plans rarely pay for care abroad; for your own health, the US State Department says: “We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel” (Mexico travel advisory). Buy both before you leave, when you have time to compare.
Mexican auto insurance — Baja Bound
Baja Bound's auto page lists liability, physical damage, medical payments for the driver and passengers, legal assistance and bail bond, and roadside assistance and towing. Quote online and print the policy or save it offline.
Source: Baja Bound auto page
How Mexican auto insurance works
Coverage levels, Baja & Sonora versus all-of-Mexico territory, and what a one-day or weekend policy costs.
Travel medical — IMG Global
Short-term medical cover for the trip, for travelers whose home plan does not pay abroad.
3. The crossing
Southbound is usually quick. The wait that matters is the return north, and that is where the trusted-traveler programs pay off.
SENTRI and Global Entry (CBP)
US Customs and Border Protection's trusted-traveler programs. Compare which fits how you cross and apply on the official site — not through a third-party service that charges a fee.
Source: CBP, SENTRI
Live border wait times (CBP)
Current northbound wait by port and lane type, published by CBP.
Ready Lanes (CBP)
For RFID-enabled documents: the passport card, enhanced driver's licence and trusted traveler cards are eligible; the passport book is not.
The best time to cross from Tijuana to San Diego
Day-by-day and hour-by-hour patterns for San Ysidro and Otay Mesa.
Using the West SENTRI lanes at San Ysidro
How the newer SENTRI lanes work and where to approach them.
4. Money and tolls
Pay in pesos. Mexico's federal toll roads (cuotas) are run by CAPUFE, which publishes the tariffs; carry peso cash for toll booths.
Toll roads — CAPUFE
The federal toll-road operator. Check the route and tariffs before a long drive.
Sending money to Mexico — Wise
Send US dollars to a bank account in Mexico, paid out in pesos. Wise says it can't send to BanCoppel or Banco Azteca accounts.
Source: Wise, Send money to Mexico
Paying bills in Mexico
How utilities, phone and property bills are paid, for longer stays.
5. Phone and data
Check whether your home plan includes Mexico before you go. If it does not, an eSIM set up before you cross means maps and messages work from the first kilometre.
Mexico eSIM — Roamable
A Mexico data eSIM: scan the QR code to install the plan on your phone, then start it on arrival.
Source: Roamable, Mexico eSIM
RV internet — Travlfi
Internet built for RV life, on month-to-month plans you can start, stop, or pause. Travlfi says it uses the same networks as many of the largest carriers in the US, Canada, and Mexico, and offers data plans for Mexico. Coverage not available in all areas.
Source: Travlfi, RV internet
If something goes wrong
Mexico's emergency number is 911. Save these before you lose signal.
Ángeles Verdes — 078
The tourism ministry's highway assistance service: mechanical help on federal highways and tourist information. The call and the labour are free; parts and fuel are not.
US consulates in Mexico
Addresses and emergency contacts for every US consulate.
STEP enrollment (US State Department)
Register the trip so the nearest embassy can reach you in an emergency.
US Embassy in Mexico: contact page
Consulate addresses and phone numbers, and the embassy emergency line: 55 2579 2000 from Mexico; 011 52 55 2579 2000 or +1 301 985 8843 from the US.
Coming home
Return the vehicle permit if you had one, and know what US Customs will ask about on the way north.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a vehicle permit to drive into Mexico?
It depends on where you drive. Northwest Sonora is a free circulation zone, and the rest of Sonora takes the Sólo Sonora permit (sonora.gob.mx/servicios-y-tramites/7-tramite-de-importacion-temporal-de-vehiculos-only-sonora). Beyond the zones where foreign vehicles circulate freely you need a temporary import permit from Banjercito, applied for online 60 to 7 days ahead or at the border (consulmex.sre.gob.mx/montreal/index.php/en/foreigners/services-foreigners/311-travelling-to-mexico-by-land).
Does my US auto insurance cover me in Mexico?
Not for the liability cover Mexico requires: Baja Bound's FAQ says US and Canadian policies are not considered proof of financial responsibility under Mexican law (bajabound.com/faqs), and federal law requires third-party liability insurance on federal roads (diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/LCPAF.pdf, art. 63 Bis). You need a policy from a Mexican insurer, which you can buy online before you leave.
Where do I get the FMM tourist permit?
From Mexico's immigration institute, INM (inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html). By land you complete it online, print it, and have it stamped at the INM office at the crossing.
Who do I call if my car breaks down on a Mexican highway?
Ángeles Verdes on 078, the tourism ministry's free highway assistance service (gob.mx/sectur/articulos/los-angeles-verdes-resguardan-tu-camino). For emergencies, call 911.
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