Tools
Driving in Mexico
The rules of the road as our desk recorded them, native unit first.
Right
40 / 90 / 110 km/h · 25 / 56 / 68 mph
urban / rural / motorway
Recommended · Geneva 1949
EU licences are accepted for tourist driving and rentals; an IDP helps at police stops and is required by some insurers.
0.05–0.08% depending on state; alcoholímetro checkpoints with mandatory jail hours in CDMX - treat as zero
Cuota (toll) autopistas are excellent and pricey - CDMX–Oaxaca runs ~€25 in tolls; pay cash or tag. Libre roads are free, slower and rougher.
Low beams at night and in rain; daytime use not required but common on highways.
Child restraints required for young children with rules varying by state (CDMX mandates seats for the smallest and back seats for under-12s) - bring or reserve your own seat.
Never drive intercity at night - livestock, unlit vehicles and security all argue against it. Topes (speed bumps, often unmarked) guard every village and will destroy suspensions taken at speed. Green Angels patrol trucks assist breakdowns on federal highways free of charge.