Getting car permit at border

Don't all normal border crossings, coming into Mexico, have offices to get vehicle permits? Or not?

[Rolly]

No. There some along the lower Rio Grande that do not.

My car has Mexican plates, so it is not an issue for me. However, I always recommend that people take the Colombia-Solidarity crossing just northwest of Laredo solely to avoid driving through downtown Nuevo Laredo.

A cyber-acquaintance told me the other day that one must go through the crossing in downtown Nuevo Laredo to obtain the car permit, that he was actually sent back there from the second checkpoint, twenty-odd miles into Mexico.

This has got me wondering if one cannot get the car permit at Colombia. Anybody know?

[PepitoTJ]

Hi Don, yes, you can get the car visa at the checkpoint that you mentioned, (Columbia, is it?). It is maybe 15 miles to the west of the Nuevo Laredo crossing, and it is a big time saver. I crossed there last November 05, and there were hardly any cars, the offices for aduana and immigrations were fairly new, the people courteous. Plus you avoid all the Nuevo Laredo headaches. You feel like you are in the middle of nowhere when arriving to it, it was night when I arrived , with coyotes (the animal, not the smuggler)howling all around, but it is defintely worth it, recommend it to anyone thinking of traveling south through TX.

[stanandlinda]

OK, now I'm wondering about the vehicle permits at Kilometer 21 south of Nogales or if you go through Lukeville, at Sontoya. Can you still get them there, or do you have to get them at Guymas?

[bournemouth]

If you need an all Mexico car permit,and are crossing at Nogales, you must get it at Kl. 21. Nogales. The only permit available at the Empalme/Guaymas checkpoint is the Only Sonora permit and it's a long drive back if you need the all Mexico papers. If you are crossing at Lukeville/Sonoyta and need the all Mexico permit, get it there. It should be quicker simply because there should be less people but I offer no guarantees!

[greenie]

Nuevo Laredo isn't that bad, the permit office is very close to the number 2 bridge but you have to drive east a little way to get to it. Everything is organized better, it took just a few minutes to get the tourist cards and vehicle permit. The Columbia bridge sounds interesting as the bridges into N.Laredo are narrow for the travel trailer.
Is there an easy way to get from the Columbia bridge to Monterrey?

[PepitoTJ]

Hi Greenie, Nuevo Laredo is not that bad, but why put up with going through a so-so city if you are going to be driving most of the day. I think you will find the Columbia crossing to be quite a bit easier. It connects with the same highway south of N. Laredo that leads to Monterrey. It just by-passes all the redlights, traffic etc, that you encounter going across at Laredo. It might be a bit longer mileage wise, but is less travelled and smoother, in my humble opinion...

[greenie]

Originally Posted by PepitoTJ

Hi Greenie, Nuevo Laredo is not that bad, but why put up with going through a so-so city if you are going to be driving most of the day. I think you will find the Columbia crossing to be quite a bit easier. It connects with the same highway south of N. Laredo that leads to Monterrey. It just by-passes all the redlights, traffic etc, that you encounter going across at Laredo. It might be a bit longer mileage wise, but is less travelled and smoother, in my humble opinion...

I'll try it next February. Actually, the #2 bridge back to the US is really narrow at US Customs and I usually just squeeze the travel trailer through without scraping anything.
Thanks for the advice!

Originally Posted by DonPalomares

Don't all normal border crossings, coming into Mexico, have offices to get vehicle permits? Or not?

Do I need a permit to make that drive?