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Car Rental in Mexico
From the Yucatán Peninsula to Baja California, Mexico is too vast to explore by bus. Book your rental car online, collect it at the airport, and discover places that organised tours never reach.
Cities
Cities: Mexico
All cities with built-in car search. Each page has a ready search, prices by class and rental terms.
Terms
Rental terms in Mexico
The basic rules of most rental providers in the country. Exact terms of a specific offer are shown in the city search before payment.
- Driver age — from 21 years.
- Driving experience — from 1 years.
- Drivers under 25 pay a young-driver surcharge.
- Fuel policy: “full-to-full”.
- Cross-border travel to GT and BZ — by prior arrangement at booking.
- Basic insurance (CDW/TP) is included in the price.
- A Full CDW package reduces the excess to zero.
- A deposit (~10000 MXN) is held on the driver’s card.
- National driving licence.
- Driver’s passport.
- International Driving Permit (IDP) — if your licence is not in Latin script.
- A bank card in the driver’s name for the deposit.
On the road
Driving rules in Mexico
A driver’s guide for the country — common traveler questions: currency, fuel, speed limits, toll roads.
| Currency | MXN |
|---|---|
| Speed limits | 40 city · 80 rural · 100 expressway · 110 motorway (km/h) |
| Blood alcohol limit | up to 0.8 ‰ |
| Daytime headlights | not required |
| Vignette (toll roads) | not required |
Traffic rules: Mexico
- Drive on the right.
- Speed limits: 40 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on rural roads, 100 km/h on federal highways, and up to 110 km/h on toll motorways (autopistas). Road signs always take precedence over general speed limits.
- Daytime headlights are not mandatory. Use low beam headlights in tunnels, at night, and in poor visibility.
- The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08% under federal law, although many states, including Mexico City and Jalisco, enforce a stricter limit of 0.04%. Drink driving is a criminal offence.
- Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers.
- Mobile phones may only be used with a hands-free system.
- Children under 7 years old or weighing less than 27 kg must travel in an appropriate child seat.
- There is no vignette system. Toll roads (cuotas) connect major cities and can be paid for at toll booths or by electronic transponder. Free roads (libres) are usually in poorer condition.
- Speed bumps (topes) are extremely common and are often unmarked. Slow down whenever entering a town or village.
- Winter tyres are not required. However, icy conditions are possible between November and March in mountainous regions such as the Sierra Madre and around Puebla.
- Night driving on rural roads is not recommended due to poor lighting and the possibility of livestock on the road.
- Foreign car insurance policies are not valid in Mexico. A local third-party liability policy (TPL/RLP) is legally required and is usually included with rental cars.
Questions
Frequently asked questions about car rental in Mexico
License, deposit, border crossing, driver age and toll roads.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Mexico?
If your driving licence is issued in the Latin alphabet, your national licence and passport are usually sufficient. If it is issued in Cyrillic, Arabic, Chinese, or another non-Latin script, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.
What is the minimum age for renting a car?
Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old with one year of driving experience. Drivers under 25 usually pay a young driver surcharge. Some international brands rent vehicles only to drivers aged 25 and over.
Is a security deposit required?
Yes. Deposits in Mexico are usually substantial, ranging from approximately USD 400 to USD 1,500, and are blocked on the driver’s credit card. The exact amount depends on the rental company, vehicle category, and insurance package. Most companies do not accept debit cards.
Where can I pick up and return the car?
Rental offices are available at Cancún, Mexico City, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and many other airports. Hotel delivery is also available in many destinations.
Can I drive to neighbouring countries?
Travel to Guatemala or Belize is only possible with prior approval from the rental company and usually requires additional documentation. Driving a Mexican rental car into the United States is generally prohibited.
Do I need special insurance in Mexico?
Yes. Mexican law requires a local third-party liability policy (TPL/RLP). Foreign insurance policies, including US policies, are not valid in Mexico. Mandatory liability insurance is usually included in the rental price, while CDW coverage can be added as an option.
What is the fuel policy?
The standard policy is full-to-full. In remote areas, petrol stations may be far apart, so keep an eye on your fuel level.
When should I book?
During the high season—December to April at beach resorts and July to August across the country—rental cars sell out quickly. Book several weeks in advance, especially in Cancún and Los Cabos.
Nearby
Similar destinations
Neighboring and kindred countries of the Balkans and the Caucasus with built-in car search.
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