What you need

  1. FM-3 or FM-2 residence visa. An FM-T (tourist visa) is not enough. Take a photocopy of all the pages of the FM-3 (Copicentro is good for this, around 0.7 pesos/page), and get them all authenticated (stamped) at the Immigration office (there should be no charge). You probably won't need all the pages, but get them all done anyway as the page you omit will now be needed.
  2. Health certificate. You can go to the Red Cross (no appointment needed), they will check your height, weight, blood pressure etc and issue the certificate for 100 pesos. Just ask for a health certificate for a drivers license.
  3. A written test (see below)
  4. A road test in a Baja California registered car (see below)
  5. Money, time.

The process

Gather together your health certificate, FM-3 stamped photocopies, FM-3, and take them to the Driver's License office.

The Driver's License office is in the Baja California government building at the far north end of Mar Caribe Norte, on the left opposite a large empty lot and the view to the baseball stadium. (Another way to get there is to take Mar de Cortez Norte at the north end of the Malecon all the way north until the road ends by the baseball stadium, then turn left and it's shortly on the right). The office is open 8am-4pm (check this).

It's probably best to go in to the office first and check the requirements have not changed, then come back another time to do the tests. Most of the staff in the office speak excellent English. The office is not very busy so there is rarely a queue. Although they have other functions like issuing license plates it appears they only issue or renew about two driver's licenses per day.

The written and road tests are required even if you have a existing license from another country, and even if you've held that license for decades. The previous license is generally not required as part of the application process.

There is a report that a certificate of having completed a course of driving instruction will be required from 2010 Mar 1. It's not clear if this will be needed for those who already have a license from another country. If anybody does find they need this, or don't need this, after that date, please do tell me and I'll update the article.

Written test

You can generally take the written test on demand (no appointment). The test is taken in Spanish on a touch-screen computer in the same office. You are allowed to bring a translator, and it is strongly recommended you do, as even if you know written Spanish fairly well the technical vocabulary used can be confusing.

The test is 15 multiple-choice questions (choice of three answers each), you have to get 13 right. You have 15 minutes to complete it. If you fail, you can try again the same day, but if you fail again you have to wait a week before the next try.

The office has a set of example questions and answers available, if you want to study in advance. The actual questions in the test are different so rote learning doesn't help.

Road test

When you've passed the written test, there will be a road test, usually immediately after. This is a token drive-around test only, very easy if you remember to signal and stop at stop signs (including the ones that are missing).

However, the road test must be taken in a Baja California registered vehicle (with plates). Not a US vehicle, not a Sonora vehicle. You should also bring the owner of that car with you, probably not needed but in theory is.

There is no requirement for you to be insured to drive the car you use for the test (so drive carefully). No fees were charged for either test, but maybe the cost was built into the price of the initial license.

Final steps

After the tests (or before), you will have your photo taken in the office and details completed for the paperwork. It helps if your health certificate shows your blood group (it's then listed on the Driver's License) but this isn't essential.

The address that appears on your license will be exactly the same as on your FM3, no other address is permitted even if you have the electric bill for a different address. So if your FM3 address is out of date get it updated before you apply for a license.

You will need to give the name, address, and phone number of a contact person (such as next of kin) which gets printed on the back of the license.

The initial license issued is a temporary license for 6 months, and it costs (July 2009) 282 pesos (perhaps this includes the cost of the tests).

Note: the back of the license will show a Nacionalidad (Nationality) of "Mexicana". This is the nationality (country of issue) of the driver's license, not of the license holder. It's not a short-cut to citizenship!

Renewal

After 6 months, the temporary license must be replaced with a three year license.

To renew the license, get another Red Cross medical certificate (currently 100 pesos). Take that, and your FM3, back to the office at the Baja California government building.

A new photo will be taken, and a new signature to put on the license. The new three year license will be valid until your next birthday following three full years from the date of renewal (so will be valid for three to four years depending on the time of year of your birthday and the renewal).

The full license costs 547 pesos (February 2010).

What you can use it for

This license will allow you to own (and insure) a Mexican registered vehicle.

It will also allow you to drive in other countries. But outside North America, or for rentals, you often additionally need an International Driving Permit (issued in Mexico). I haven't yet found out how to get the IDP, as apparently the only organization in Mexico issuing them only has branches in the Mexico City area. If you do know how, or can update any of the information above, please contact me.

(updated from an article first published on 2009 Nov 17).