ON THE ROAD

Documents you should have organized to show (pursuant to information provided by Transito to an LCS meeting - see *note below)
1. Original license (Colored photo copy will be treated as forgery).
2. Copy of Mexican Insurance Papers.
3. Copy of Registration.
4. Original Car Importation Permit papers
    (original sticker decal stays on the window).
5. Original Car Title or Bill of Sale.
6. Original Tourist Visa or temporal or permanente

*Note. On June 24, 2013, Spencer McMullen met with the Transito Jefe, Alberto German Alvarez, with a view to clarifying these points:
1. Can foreigners legally drive with licenses from other countries
2. Are notary certified copies of immigration cards and car permits valid
3. Can you drive with expired NOB registration

He notes on the chapala.com webboard "As the law says that there is international recognition of licenses and state law mentions validity of out of state and foreign licenses, there was no issue, he did mention that it might be hard to verify out of country licenses but then I asked him if he could verify licenses from Tlaxcala or Chiapas and he smiled and said no.

He then reviewed my written legal opinion from the state legal department as well as federal caselaw and said there was no problem with notary certified copies of car permits nor immigration documents.

I then went over with him the requirements per the law for driving a foreign vehicle and it only mentions that it needs to comply with federal import law, which is the temporary import permit and said permit can be obtained with expired registration."

Further, Spencer indicates no Jalisco license is needed if you have a valid foreign license. Also no carrying of originals. Yes, your car must have an emissions test if you live here full time, the law mentioning the six months mentions vehicles, NOT PEOPLE so yes the car needs the smog test if it has been here more than 6 months but driver needs no Jalisco license.
Important rules of the road in Mexico; impounding car

Information on what to do in case of auto accident. For your convenenience here is an Auto Accident Information Form. Print several to keep in car.

Information on what to do if you get stopped by the police while driving. For your convenience here is a form for police or any authority identification. Print several to keep in car.

What to do if car stolen and stolen property
Do it today! Have someone take pictures of you with your car(s), and take photos of each room in your home, and close-ups of valuable items and jewelry. Put in your files.

IMPORTANT: Local police cannot arrest suspects of serious crimes (unless person is caught in the act), or investigate. Their function is to simply keep track of crime which is the report you will be asked to sign at the time of the break-in at your home.

RECENT CRIME ALERT

July 17, 2013 http://www.lakechapalacrime.com/ 
Avoid gassing up in Tlajomulco & Ixtlahuacan at The 7-11s and mini marts between Guadalajara airport and Chapala. A person reports that there are people who prey on those stopping to get gas or snacks on the road to Chapala, some have only had their window smashed and wallets and computers stolen and others have been forced into the bathroom at gunpoint and had their vehicles stolen. Gas up in Guadalajara or in Chapala and don't stop in between. If you do stop, be  alert!
The Jalisco Mexico Traffic Offenses and Fine Schedule was sent out in an e-mail to all Riviera Alta residents by Tina Jones in June 2009. Of course, it is still relevant but may not be absolutely current. 

However, our suggestion would be to keep a printed copy for reference in your vehicle. There are many instances when you may have been confronted and/or intimidated by  the Lakeside/Guadalajara Traffic Police.  Not knowing your rights, compounded by possible language miscommunication, can often result in a situation that is not  in your best interest.

While the Document is not a replacement for the actual Legal Laws of Jalisco, it  will give you an understanding of what your rights might be and hopefully avoid a costly encounter.

Source: Spencer  McMullen, Intercasa
Car Repairs

Car parts repair list in English and Spanish (document
available in Riviera Clubhouse Office).