Taking a road trip that involves driving in Mexico can be a fun and thrilling experience, but you should know some of the rules and regulations before you get behind the wheel. To make sure you know some of the basics, we have laid out all the need-to-know information.
Rules and Regulations
Here are some of the rules and regulations that you should take notice of before you start driving in Mexico:
- In Mexico, they drive on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left.
- The legal driving age is 18.
- Using a seatbelt is mandatory for all occupants of a vehicle.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal. The legal limit of blood alcohol content is 0.08%.
- The use of mobile devices without a hands-free system is prohibited while driving in Mexico.
- An oncoming vehicle flashing its headlights is a warning for you to slow down. This could be because you are both approaching a narrow bridge or place on the road. The custom is that the first vehicle to flash has the right of way and the other must yield. Or the other driver is telling you there’s something going on up ahead that you need to be aware of.
- If you are approaching a slow-moving vehicle, it is customary for the slower vehicle to drive on the shoulder to let you pass.
- In a village with a narrow street, if two cars are approaching each other, sometimes one car will pull over and turn off its lights so you know you have the right to pass.
- If the car in front of you puts on the left-turn signal, it could mean: he is turning left, he is telling you it is okay to pass him, he is going into the right lateral road to turn left, he simply forgot to turn it off. If in doubt, do not pass.
- Take caution if you are driving in Mexico at night. Mexico is a free-range country and animals tend to roam freely in the Mexican countryside and at night they are extremely hard to see. Also, normally in Mexico the roads are not well lit and can tend to have potholes, which, in the night, are hard to see.
- When approaching towns and cities beware of the “topes” (speed bumps). You will need to immediately slow down when you see a sign with a bump on it. Sometimes the signs are hard to see and sometimes they aren’t there at all.
Speed Limits
These are the standard legal limits when driving in Mexico. They will sometimes vary as communicated by road signs.
| Urban areas | 40 km/h (25 mph) |
| Outside urban areas | 80 km/h (50 mph) |
| Motorways/highways | 100-110 km/h (62-68 mph) |
What to Bring Along
- Driver’s license
- Passport
- Proof of insurance
- Vehicle registration information
- A GPS device and road map of the area that you are driving in can be extremely helpful
Stress-Free Driving in Mexico with SIXT Rent a Car
We have branches in locations across Mexico for your convenience. You can find us in cities including Mexico City, Monterrey, and Puerto Vallarta. If you need more information about driving on Mexican roads with your rental vehicle, our branch staff will be happy to answer your questions.
