Can I get a Motorcycle License in Mexico?
 

Hi folks,

Does anyone know if it's possible to get a license in Mexico? I'm Australian (I have only a Learner's Permit) I can't get a full license in the US and I'm hoping I can get one in Mexico.

Anyone had any experience with this?

Legal answer-NO. You need to have a proof of address and some type of Mexican residence status (FM2 etc but not a tourst permit).
This does not mean it can't be done but I have never done it as I am a legal resident here.
If you do it you will have to find somenoe who can "fix" it for you. The "fixers" are called "gestores" and you will obviously have to pay more. There is no driving test in Mexico and the license is for cars and bikes, at least it is in Mexico City not sure about other states.

Garry

Why do you need a license? To ride in Mexico? Don't worry about it.*

Just carry an international driver's permit. The permit doesn't say anything about m/c vs car. I've had cops (both corrupt and not) look at it my IDP all over Mexico & Central America and they all seemed satisfied except one, which is a mildly amusing story:

I think it was in Michoacán, a cop pulled me over and inspected the IDP. He said (in spanish) that it wasn't good for motorcycles. I said (in my rudimentary spanish) yes it was. After repeating this process once or twice more he realized he wasn't going to get a mordida out of me and just sent me on my way.

Technically the IDP is supposed to be used in partnership with your normal driver's license, which is why it doesn't have any special endorsements for vehicle types. The only thing that distinguishes my California driver's license as motorcycle endorsed is a tiny "M1" printed on it; nobody outside CA (let alone outside the US) is going to know that. More importantly, you never want to hand your real driver's license to ANYONE - the IDP is pretty much disposable and worst comes to worst you can leave the (corrupt) cop with it and just ride on. It's a good idea to carry a couple of them. Seriously.

Jeff

* If you're a competent rider and never bothered to get a license that's ok. But Mexico is one hell of a place to learn to ride - stay out of the urban areas and whatever you do don't go within 100 miles of Ciudad de México until you're confident. The two easiest things to do on a motorcycle in Mexico are:

1) Have the time of your life
2) Get killed or seriously injured