During the holiday season, thousands of motorists travel by road to various destinations across the country. For those traveling in their own vehicles, it’s essential to know if the state they’ll be visiting requires any special permits, as not having one can result in fines or restrictions. Among these documents is the so-called Tourist Pass.
If your route includes states in central Mexico or you plan to visit Jalisco this holiday season, it’s important to identify what type of permit applies, when it’s mandatory, and how to obtain it to avoid problems during your trip.
Which states require the Tourist Pass?
The Tourist Pass is a mandatory document for motorists with out-of-state license plates who wish to drive without restrictions in Mexico City, the State of Mexico, and Hidalgo. This permit allows visiting vehicles to be temporarily exempt from driving restriction programs such as Hoy No Circula (Today You Don’t Drive).
Not all drivers are eligible to apply; vehicles registered in the states that comprise the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (Mexico City, State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Morelos, Puebla, Querétaro, and Tlaxcala) are excluded. The Tourist Pass is valid for a maximum of 14 days per semester, so it is recommended to plan your travel dates in advance.
Jalisco is not part of the Metropolitan Area, so the traditional Tourist Pass is not required in this state. However, Jalisco offers a similar document called the Temporary Stay Pass, intended for drivers with license plates from other states who wish to drive legally, primarily in areas where the vehicle emissions testing program operates.
This permit allows visitors to drive in Jalisco without having their vehicle inspected, provided they respect the established timeframes. The Temporary Stay Pass is free and is valid for up to 30 calendar days, generally available per semester.
How to Obtain a Temporary Stay Permit in Jalisco?
The process is completed entirely online through the official website of the state’s vehicle verification program. Applicants must register basic personal information, as well as vehicle details, including serial number, license plate number, make, model, and year.
Once the process is complete, the system generates a document that must be downloaded, printed, and displayed in a visible location inside the vehicle. This permit can be requested by motorists visiting Jalisco temporarily for tourism, family, or work purposes.
Source: informador
