As a foreigner I am not permitted to get plates for a vehicle in Mexico so I decided to try and beat the system.
I had a couple of options, I could buy a car in the USA and drive it over the border. The problem is, once you cross the border you have to agree to take your vehicle out of the country after 6 months because technically you are only permitted a 6 month Visa for entry. They even take $400 USD that you get back once you leave. I considered just not getting my $400 back and calling that the cost of importing a car into Mexico. The problem is if you get pulled over here having over-stayed your 6 months the police can technically seize your vehicle with no questions asked. Given that I was not interested in returning with my vehicle after 6 months I decided to look in to some different options.
I have a friend that was willing to register the car and get it plated in his name. So, given that this vehicle would legally belong to him and I don’t actually know him that well.. .I was not willing to buy something as expensive as a Tacoma or algo asi. I instead decided to buy a 1000USD 1998 Dodge Caravan. It was the perfect situation sold by a friend of a friend. It only needed a couple of details according to the friend. So there I was a gringa in a foreign land. I decided what the heck I’ll throw down 1000 for a mission.
Lets just say, if I could turn back time I would. This has turned out to be the biggest little mistake of my adventure thus far.
In short the van is a Lemon and everything in it is broken. But the good thing is. It is plated. So I did manage to find a way to have a vehicle legally here in Mexico. The plates cost about $400 total and are good for 2 years.
Another option is this.
Anything is possible in Mexico if you are willing to pay. I have since made a friend that tells me that you can get your US imported car plated and insured and get a Mexican drivers license for about $1500 USD. For now, I am sticking to the buses and I am going to buy a scooter maybe.