Lake Chapala Ajijic Mexico Information

Your Mexican Driver’s License,

Here’s a detailed description of our recent trip to the “Transito” in Guadalajara to get drivers licenses, in the hope that it will help someone else through a somewhat confusing process:

DRIVING IN FROM CHAPALA:
Try to arrive by 9 a.m., if possible. We got there around 10 a.m. and it was crowded. Get into the right hand lanes on “Gonzalez Gallo,” which the highway from Chapala runs into. (This is a 6-lane street, one way toward downtown Guadalajara, divided in the middle.) When the division ends completely, you will go through the intersection and turn right at the next intersection, which is the “16 de septiembre.” You will pass Walmart on your right. This street becomes “Alcalde” when you cross “Juarez” or “Vallarta.” There will be a glorieta at about 2 miles; take the right major road. You’ll still be on “Alcalde.” The next glorieta will be the “Transito” building. It’s on your right hand side.

There’s a 3-story parking lot attached to the Transito complex (”vialidad”). This lot is located at the back of the complex, off of Alcalde. It was closed by the time we got there, so we parked in a smaller lot located across the street. After you park, walk through the parking complex attached to the Transito.

Once we finally found the entrance, by asking around, we walked in and noticed a courtyard dominated by a fountain, (really just a single geyser of water coming up from the ground). We walked past the fountain and arrived at the main building. We had to ask again where one would get a license, but there were a lot of guards and helpers to ask and they were very nice to us.

FOR A RENEWAL:

To renew a Mexican license, you’ll need a copy of your proof of address, copies of all pages of your FM2 or FM3, the first two pages of your passport and your old license. If you don’t have your blood type on your old license or on an official looking card (it’s almost certainly on your old license), you should go across the courtyard (ask someone again!) to an office where they do a very efficient blood test for type and hand you a laminated card for 45 pesos.

Find the room where you start the process for real by asking yet another guard or helper. When you first enter, they’ll ask for your proof of address and your old license. They want to see the originals, but they also want you to give them copies of both. (There’s a copy machine out in the courtyard, 1 pesos per copy, but the line is long.) Someone will also ask you if you want a “chofer” license or an “automovilista” but I’m unsure if it’s at this station or not. If you don’t plan to drive a pickup, choose “chofer,” and save 50 pesos later, when you pay.)

Then in the next room, they want the rest of your documents. they will electronically take your fingerprint with a cool little laser type machine that doesn’t get your finger all inked up, then get your electronic signature with another cool electronic machine that immediately passes it into the hard drive of their computer. Then you’ll be directed to a cubicle where someone will take your photo. (You can ask to see it on their computer screen, and they’ll take it again if you don’t like it.)

After that, the photographer will ask you if you wear glasses or lenses to drive, if you’re on medication or if you want to donate organs and the name and phone number of who to call in case you’re in an accident. Then they’ll give you a printout, which you will check and okay by signing.

You’ll take the printout and your documents (which they’ve stapled together) a few steps away to the exam room, where you’ll see a bunch of cubicles with computers and chairs (why, I don’t know, because you do NOT have to take the written test). The guy in charge signs your printout and directs you out of the building. Look to your right. You’ll spot two cashiers who will take your money (350 pesos for a “chofer” license and 300 for an “automovilista”).

After you pay, take the papers they hand you around the corner to a small office, then wait in the courtyard next to it for them to come out and call your name to give you your laminated license (5-20 minutes).

FOR A NEW MEXICAN LICENSE:

The process is the same as described above, except that after you get your photo taken, you’ll go to the exam room for a test. Questions and Answers to Mexican Drivers Test (Note that there are only 20 questions on the real test, but this link includes all 103 questions and answers to review. WARNING: It’s in very convoluted Spanish!

You can bring a translator in with you. The written test cubicles are also where they supposedly administer the eye exams, but nobody ever asked me to take one.

After the written test, you’ll go outside for a very brief driving test (do NOT freak!). It consists of driving around the parking lot in a circle and then parallel parking between some cones. Don’t forget your seat belt (I did, and the driving test administrator tsk’ed at me but didn’t penalize me.) If you can drive a stick shift, they’ll let you borrow one of their several loaner cars. Otherwise, you have to go get your own car, take the test, then re-park it outside the lot.

Altogether, it’s a really easy test.

After your driving test, pay and wait as described above.

The whole process took us about 2 hours. . . NOT BAD, huh? Our new licenses are good for four years. And we like our pictures!

GOOD LUCK!