I have been living here in Mexico for nearly 17 years now,
and up until this time I had just renewed my Washington license when I was in
Seattle. That was back in the good old days when I went every summer. The last
time I was there I was going to take care of it, as my license was, I
thought, about to expire. I took my daughter with me. I like to have a partner
along for potentially long and painful situations. I took a number, and as my
number was about 137 higher than the number that was just called, we decided to
go across the street to a strip mall and have some Teriyaki, my little Mexican
daughter’s favorite food on that trip. We had a leisurely lunch and crossed the
street to wait.
We didn’t have to wait long, as my number came up within five
minutes. I went to the counter and produced my current license and said I would
like to renew it. The counter guy looked the license over and asked me, “Do you
have any physical or mental conditions which might impair your driving?”
“No”, I replied succinctly (official people like direct
answers).
“Are you sure?” he persisted.
“Yes, pretty sure…why?” I answered, feeling a little less confident and wondering if he knew me
better than I thought he did.
He looked at me with a gentle smirk, holding the card out
toward me at a mocking angle and said,
“Well, this license doesn’t expire until
next year”.
Not really believing this, since I had it in my head for
months that I would have to be renewing my license on this particular trip, I
snatched the license and looked at it and sure enough, one more year on that
damn thing. I burst out laughing and so did he. Then I begged him to please not
tell anyone until I got to my car.
That Washington license finally did expire, and I’m not
going up there this year, so it was finally time to get a license here in
Mexico. I, like everyone, had heard stories of people taking days and several
trips to get their first license (renewals are easier), but I was ready for
whatever I had to do.
I went one afternoon to the Government of Jalisco Building
in Fluvial. It is the big white thing. You really can’t miss it. I found the
correct reception desk (straight in the front door, to the back and to the
left) and asked for instructions for a new license for a foreigner. I was given
a list of what to bring, and they instructed me to come back the next day at
10:30.
To get your license you will need to take the class. It is scheduled to begin at 10:30 am Monday through Friday, so you can go any week day.
To get your license you will need to take the class. It is scheduled to begin at 10:30 am Monday through Friday, so you can go any week day.
What you need to
bring:
▪ Current
Passport
▪ FM3 or
FM2
▪ Proof
of Residence in your name (Telmex bill is the best)
▪ One copy
of each of the above documents
You also need to be 18 years of age or over and know your
blood type (they will ask).
You will also have to pass a written driving knowledge test.
Here is a website where you can find the 103 possible questions in English and
Spanish, but the test will be in Spanish on a computer and consists of 20
questions randomly chosen from the possible 103.
This was very helpful. I looked at the questions in English
and Spanish, but took my practice test in Spanish. I’m pretty sure the average
person can pass with a little preparation.
Here’s how it all went down:
10:10 My arrival
Went to reception desk and was sent to another desk where a
man looked briefly at the documents I had to confirm that they were complete,
and then he gave me a little piece of paper and asked what kind of license I
want. If you are just a regular driver you want “Automovilista”. The fee is
$420 pesos.
I stood in line to pay, and was given a receipt, very official
looking.
10:20 Payment accomplished. Directed to sit and wait
10:37 About ten people were called to go to the
informational class, in a small conference room, where we watched some video
and slides (with only a slight delay for human technical deficiencies) on a
large flat screen TV.
11:24 We were directed back to the waiting area
11:45 My name was called and the required documents were
requested (actually, only the copies. Originals were not requested, but I would
bring them anyway just in case). They took an electronic fingerprint of the
right index finger and I was asked to sign on an electronic tablet with a
stylus pen. Then a photo was taken.
11:53 A little more waiting
12:00 I was called to take the test. It is 20 questions
taken from the above mentioned document. I got 85% (there was a trick question)
but passed anyway.
12:35 Brand new shiny official license delivered into my
hand and I was out of there!
Note: I was not required to take a vision test or an actual
driving test, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t ever happen. It’s just the
way it was on this day.
Total time: 2 hours, 25 minutes. Not bad!
Everyone was very nice and it was a pleasant experience that I
would not hesitate to repeat four years from now!
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| Success! |
