Driving Back to Texas

[carlitoloco]

Hola Amigos!

I am hoping some of you more experienced travelers can help me out.

I've made the trip from Texas three times but not in a couple of years. I have a few questions.

My vehicle sticker is waaay expired. Will this be a problem? Can I renew it in Cancun? Does it matter?

I know roads change. Using my GPS was a bit of a joke. It actually led me down a dirt road at one point.

Does anybody have any suggestions on the best routing currently? I mean a turn by turn route. I plan to go through Laredo but I could use Brownsville if anybody thought it would be better.

I've done a search but all I've found is trips coming this way.

Thanks in advance! I appreciate all the input I can get.

Cheers,
Carlito

[Elote el Rey]

Send me a PM and maybe I can help

[Babaloo]

Having an expired permit couldn't definitely be an issue - or not.
There seems to be differing opinions about renewing expired permits (without paying fines), so I won't offer my opinion (because it's probably wrong)

One key is your immigration status. Are you here on an FMM or FM2/3?
If on an FM2/3, your concerns should be (somewhat) alleviated.

[snappysammy]

the last time i needed to renew an expired sticker i did so at punta sam
it was a while ago and it was very easy

not sure if this is still possible, but worth a try

[absoluteAL]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

Having an expired permit couldn't definitely be an issue - or not.
There seems to be differing opinions about renewing expired permits (without paying fines), so I won't offer my opinion (because it's probably wrong)

One key is your immigration status. Are you here on an FMM or FM2/3?
If on an FM2/3, your concerns should be (somewhat) alleviated.

I can tell you one thing for sure - his $300 initial deposit was forfeited a long time ago. He won't be getting that back!

[Playa Joe]

Originally Posted by absoluteAL

I can tell you one thing for sure - his $300 initial deposit was forfeited a long time ago. He won't be getting that back!

I agree with you Al. I'm not sure when the deposit system came into effect but if he did pay a deposit it will be forfeited.

According to my research and recent experience of bringing a north american car into Mexico. There are only two penalties to having an expired import permit.

1- you lose your deposit
2- you can't bring another car in Mexico until you've retrieved your original car with the expired permit.

That should be it.

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by Playa Joe

I agree with you Al. I'm not sure when the deposit system came into effect but if he did pay a deposit it will be forfeited.

According to my research and recent experience of bringing a north american car into Mexico. There are only two penalties to having an expired import permit.

1- you lose your deposit
2- you can't bring another car in Mexico until you've retrieved your original car with the expired permit.

That should be it.

And forfeiture of your vehicle.

[Playa Joe]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

And forfeiture of your vehicle.

That's only if the Zeta's get you before making it to the border!!!

I know it's a stupid joke but I just had to say it.

[absoluteAL]

Originally Posted by Playa Joe

That's only if the Zeta's get you before making it to the border!!!

I know it's a stupid joke but I just had to say it.

Hey, they didn't take my car 4 months ago when I was stopped 20 minutes south of Brownsville. Just had to pay a "toll" for being on their highway. Wasn't the "Z"s though. Another group. Enough said.

[carlitoloco]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

Having an expired permit couldn't definitely be an issue - or not.
There seems to be differing opinions about renewing expired permits (without paying fines), so I won't offer my opinion (because it's probably wrong)

One key is your immigration status. Are you here on an FMM or FM2/3?
If on an FM2/3, your concerns should be (somewhat) alleviated.

I am just here on a tourist visa.

[snappysammy]

Originally Posted by carlitoloco

I am just here on a tourist visa.

i used to do it with a tourist visa
when i entered the country with a fresh 180 i would go there and surrender my old sticker and get a new one with my new visa

don't know if this is still the case, it has been a few years and it is not the same guy over there

if i were you, i would try this first, good luck

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by Playa Joe

That's only if the Zeta's get you before making it to the border!!!

.

Nope.
There is a van sitting in the Aduana yard at the Cancun airport that says otherwise.

[absoluteAL]

Originally Posted by snappysammy

i used to do it with a tourist visa
when i entered the country with a fresh 180 i would go there and surrender my old sticker and get a new one with my new visa

don't know if this is still the case, it has been a few years and it is not the same guy over there

if i were you, i would try this first, good luck

The problem SS is that at the border (Chetumal), Immigration does not have to automatically give you another 180 day visa/FMM.

P.S.: I can not believe that the Ravens kicker Cundiff missed the 32 yard field goal.

[snappysammy]

Originally Posted by absoluteAL

The problem SS is that at the border (Chetumal), Immigration does not have to automatically give you another 180 day visa/FMM.

P.S.: I can not believe that the Ravens kicker Cundiff missed the 32 yard field goal.

wow, that poor schmuck

not suggesting an automatic visa extension
just that if he has a new visa and expired sticker, it has worked form me at punta sam

back door visas have always been a way of life in chetumal
don't know if that has changed

[absoluteAL]

Originally Posted by snappysammy

back door visas have always been a way of life in chetumal
don't know if that has changed

As of two months ago - that had not changed. But nobody rides for free. And you need to know someone that knows how to "navigate" through the process.