Board Newbie/ kind of :) with a Car question

Hello all!

I have followed this message board off and on over the past few years, and am finally steppin' out and saying hello! We spend our winters in Zihua. but will be more permanent as my husband nears retirement! So, hello everyone

I do have a question though. We will be bringing our car down, and will be using tourist visas for this trip. (We will look into FM3 papers at some point. ) My question is about returning to the border with the vehicle and then crossing back into Mexico for another 4 to 6 months. Does anyone know if there is a time frame that the car needs to be out of Mexico before returning it again? We have heard both extremes of "you can cross again the same day" to no, the car would need to stay in the states for 6 months.

Thanks!
Ellen

Our California registered car, which stays in Mexico, required an FM3 to bring into the country. In order for it to be driven legally in the country - only by registered owner(s) or their immediate family - the FM3 must be current.

Thanks for the info.

We've only traveled with the tourist permits in previous years, which have to be handed back in when we cross back to the states. Every piece of info. helps

When I retired 2 years ago and brought my car down from Arizona I used the following website for information.
http://rollybrook.com/vehicle_permits.htm
He has a lot of useful info on his site about moving to Mexico and coming down for the winter.

Hope this helps
Garry

Great Info. I didn't know I could get a permit before we go from the consulate in St. Paul!! That will save time as sometimes we have had delays at the Laredo Migration offices.

In 2009, I was told by immigration that my importation sticker for my car was good as long as my immigration document was good. So with an FMT (tourist permit) the car can be in MExico as long as your FMT is good, which at that time was a maximum of 180 days. With an FM3, my importation sticker expired when my FM3 expired and they did remove it from the car when I left the country.

I got mine in Phoenix at the Consulate it costs a few dollars more but saves you the time once you enter Mexico. When your husband gets his FM3 you can get the permit for your car at the the consulate as well. One the website I sent you you can print a copy of Articulo 106 which refers to the law regarding the legality of your Foreign plated car. I keep a copy in Espanol and English in my glove comparment. The police here in Zihuatanejo
set up road blocks in town and stop cars with no license plate on the front or non Mexican plated cars.
You keep the same sticker but it has a date on it which they will say it is expired but the law states as long as your FM3 is valid the sticker/sello is valid.