Do you need an International Driving Permit in Mexico?
Mexico is not a party to either the 1968 Vienna or the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. Check the rules with the local authorities before you drive.
Mexico and the road traffic conventions
| Convention | Status | In force since | Permit validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 Vienna Convention | Not a party | — | — |
| 1949 Geneva Convention | Not a party | — | — |
What to carry when you drive in Mexico
An International Driving Permit never replaces your national licence. It is a standardised translation that local police and rental desks can read, and it is only valid alongside the licence it was issued against. Carry both, and keep your passport handy at rental pickup, since most rental companies ask to see all three before releasing a vehicle.
Our document reproduces your licence details across 12 languages in the booklet format the conventions describe, so an officer who reads none of them in your alphabet can still find your name, date of birth and vehicle classes:
- English
- French
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- Italian
- German
- Russian
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Japanese
- Thai
- Vietnamese
What the road rules say in Mexico
The UK Foreign Office advises that a foreign national licence is accepted in Mexico.
- Emergency services
- general 911, police 911, ambulance 911, fire 911
Common questions about driving in Mexico
Driving in Mexico?
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- Convention on Road Traffic (Vienna, 8 November 1968) United Nations Treaty Collection, 91 parties. Checked 4 August 2026.
- Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva, 19 September 1949) United Nations Treaty Collection, 103 parties. Checked 4 August 2026.