Mexico Driving 2026: Licence at 18, Teen Permits From 15

Mexico has no single national driving age: each state issues its own licences. In Mexico City, the full licence is for adults, and anyone older than 15 but under 18 can get only a permiso para conducir for private vehicles, under article 64 of the city’s Ley de Movilidad. On federal highways, private drivers must stay below 0.8 g/l of blood alcohol, cross every tope at 5 km/h or less, and carry a spare tyre. For any emergency, dial 911.

Who can drive in Mexico

Driving licences are a state matter. Mexico City’s Ley de Movilidad requires every driver to hold and carry a licence, and article 64 lets the Secretaría de Movilidad issue permits for private vehicles to people older than 15 and younger than 18. Other states write their own rules, so a teenager licensed elsewhere is covered by that state’s law, not Mexico City’s.

For visitors, the UK government says a UK photocard licence can be used in Mexico. Holders of an old paper licence may need a photocard or the 1926 International Driving Permit.

Speed limits and topes

On federal roads, the limit is the number on the SR-9 maximum-speed sign; the federal traffic regulation fixes no single national default for cars, and states set limits on their own roads. One rule is fixed: drivers must slow to 5 km/h or less over a tope (speed hump), on pain of a fine of 15 to 20 times the regulation’s daily quota (art. 14).

Emergency Numbers in Mexico

All emergencies: 911

Drink-Driving Limits

Seatbelts and phones

On federal roads every driver must keep both hands on the wheel, wear a seatbelt, and avoid communication or entertainment devices that interfere with safe driving (art. 95). The fine is 15 to 20 times the regulation’s daily quota.

Tyres and equipment on federal roads

• Spare tyre: cars must carry a spare in good condition and correctly inflated (art. 50).
• No studs in normal conditions: tyres may not carry nails, studs or other protrusions beyond the tread; chains or similar devices are allowed only when snow, ice or similar makes the road slippery (art. 50). The regulation has no winter-tyre requirement.
• Warning devices: if you must stop on the carriageway, place a warning device 30 m behind the car, and another 30 m ahead on a two-way road (art. 154).

For tyre details, see our Tyre Laws in Mexico guide.

Insurance

In Mexico City every private car must carry valid third-party liability insurance (Ley de Movilidad, art. 72). The UK government warns that many drivers in Mexico are uninsured, so check what your rental cover includes.

Mexico City driving restrictions

The UK government notes that cars without Mexico City or State of Mexico plates may not enter Mexico City Monday to Friday 05:00-11:00 and Saturday 05:00-22:00. The Hoy No Circula programme also bans cars on certain days by plate number, and extra restrictions can apply during high pollution, generally from February to June. Offenders face heavy fines and temporary confiscation of the car.

Road conditions

UK travel advice describes driving standards as very different from the UK: potholes, drivers changing lanes without signalling and running red lights. The hurricane season runs from June to November and can close roads on both coasts.

Useful Driving Phrases in Spanish

Sources

• Reglamento de Tránsito en Carreteras y Puentes de Jurisdicción Federal, DOF 22 November 2012, arts. 14, 50, 93, 95, 154: dof.gob.mx
• Ley de Movilidad de la Ciudad de México, arts. 64 and 72 (Congreso de la Ciudad de México): PDF
• GOV.UK, Mexico travel advice (updated 26 September 2026): gov.uk