Vehicle sticker renewals moved out of Puerto Juarez!!

[Mellow_in_Puerto Morelos]

I went yesterday to the new Aduyana/Banjerto office in Puerto Juarez and was informed that they no longer do vehicle permit renewals. The closest place is now CHETUMAL!!!!! Guess I'll hop a bus down and renew it. It's totally insane to have discontinued this. The lady did say that it might possibly change back in the future and to call next year before I head to Chetumal.

[Alma Libre]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

How can this be possible!?!

We did hear that Erika was going to be leaving. Could it be possible that they shut down the office when she left?

I WAS looking forward to an easy and quick sticker renewal for once. This plus FM3 plus Hacienda has me at the end of my rope!

[Drewbert]

Isn't your vehicle permit automatically renewed when you keep your FM2/3 current?

[Alma Libre]

Isn't your vehicle permit automatically renewed when you keep your FM2/3 current?

There are a thousand theories on this, but we renew ours every year, especially because we go back north every summer.

[Mellow_in_Puerto Morelos]

Originally Posted by Drewbert

Isn't your vehicle permit automatically renewed when you keep your FM2/3 current?

I know that prior to 2003 that was true, however it is my understanding that the law was changed in June of that year and I have renewed ever since. I also got stopped by Transito for an expired sticker 2 years ago.

[cancunroberto]

where is chetumal? i have to get mine renewed in november

[mixz1]

Originally Posted by Mellow_in_Puerto Morelos

I know that prior to 2003 that was true, however it is my understanding that the law was changed in June of that year and I have renewed ever since. I also got stopped by Transito for an expired sticker 2 years ago.

If you read my post at http://www.cancuncare.com/forum/view...098&highlight= you'll see the current state of the law. If you are on a FM3 for retirees, your permit automatically renews with your FM3. If you read article 106 of the import regulations, it seems to imply that this rule is for everyone and your car can travel anywhere, but there is a glut of confusion about holders of other FM types.

From my personal experience, I was ticketed by a Transito. My NY plates had expired years ago, my import sticker was 2 years out of date and all he wanted to see was a valid driver's license and insurance papers. When I asked the officer about the importation sticker he was aware of Article 106 and said I had no concerns. US insurance brokers who specialize in Mexican insurance advise you to print a copy of Article 106 in Spanish and English to keep with you in your car.

Your mileage may vary, as I am speaking only of the law as it applies to FM3 retirees, as explained to me by my insurance agent and a couple of Transitos that I've spoken with.

[Mellow_in_Puerto Morelos]

Originally Posted by cancunroberto

where is chetumal? i have to get mine renewed in november

The address is:
Av Mexico S/N Edificio de la Adoana Fronteriza
Subteniente Lopez Tel - 983-834-5043
Hours:
Mon-Fri 0900 - 1700
Sat & Sun - 0900 - 1500

The lady in Puerto Juarez said to check with them in the future before going to Chetumal in case they move it back. Her number is
998-880-0108

[CancunCanuck]

Originally Posted by cancunroberto

where is chetumal? i have to get mine renewed in november

Chetumal is at the very southern tip of the Tulum highway, it's on the border with Belize. The last time I took a bus there it was a six hour trip, probably faster in a car.

[cunspin]

I had cars here for years and never renewed the sticker, as long as my FM3 was valid so was my permit for the car.

[cancunroberto]

what about the sticker on the windshield?? dont you need a new one??? when you renew fm3 do you get a new sticker??

[Mellow_in_Puerto Morelos]

After reading Article 6, I can't find anything that says it is not necessary to renew your windshield sticker. It does say "Article 106 says two things: (1) that your car registration is valid so long as your FM-2 or FM-3 is valid, and (2) who may drive your car." Car registration is referring to your car tag and registration, not the sticker on the windshield.

It would seem very odd to me (even here) they they would continue to issue new stickers every year to holders of FM3 renewals.

There was lengthy disussion on this issue when the law requiring new stickers went into effect in 2004. Prior to that change the windshield stickers were valid as long as your FM3 was valid. The discussion was not here, but on another very popular forum about moving to Mexico

[T.J.]

Damn. My friend David just shipped his car from Florida.

As to the stickers, they do have a printed expiration date on the hard copy and I certainly intend to keep mine current, even if it means driving to Chetumal. I got stopped the other day for a routine inspection, out by the DaVinci School, and the cop sure looked at my hard copy, the 5"x7" thing from which the hologram sticker was originally attached.

This is incredible. There was nothing wrong with Banjercito being at the port. Erika was the one and only employee and seemed to be busy. Plus more and more vehicles will be coming in and I bet Cancun is at the top of the list of where they will be located once they are imported.

Oh, they do have a Banjercito in Progreso which is a bit faster to get to by car, plus you can have a weekend in Merida going or coming. I think I would rather go to Progreso than to Chetumal. I do wonder if it matters that Progreso is in a different state.

[Mellow_in_Puerto Morelos]

I thought about Progresso as well, but since she said that I had to go to Chetumal I have decided not to chance it.

[Life_N_Cancun]

Alright, I'm confused!

So is it still true that you can drive around all day long without a current import sticker in the state of Q.Roo? or has that changed also..... and I thought that the Policia didn't have any authority over that stuff anyway (ie: cant impound or write you a ticket), only Aduyana...

[T.J.]

I am so confused. I have heard both sides of this argument.

All I know for sure is that the hard copy of the "registration" that a cop asked to see less than a month ago, has an expiration date. If you could drive around forever, why would they have an exp date?

For $230 pesos I am not chanching being a gringo and getting pulled over late at night anywhere and dealing with some mordida seeking cop. At least it's not Christmas season when they are really out "working."

[Life_N_Cancun]

You mean 230 pesos, and a 6 hour each way trip to Chetumal, of' course.

It was my understanding that so long as you never crossed into another Mexican state you did not need to worry about keeping your "sticker" up to date as Q. Roo is a "frontier/border state" So the expiration date only applies if you are out of Q. Roo. I know plenty of people personally that have expired stickers (no thanks to immigration being so difficult and slow) and some who have no sticker whatsoever on their American cars. So I tend to think that it must still be the case that you need not bother with that within Q.Roo. Any cop wanting to "check" such things in Q.Roo just wants $$$ IMO, as again, I am pretty sure that the Policia have NO authority in the matter.


& on a related note. If you have a car that has expired plates in the back TAKE OFF THE STICKER, so the cops cant see the "2003" or whatever and give you $hit. Again this is something that I don't think they have any authority over, but if they are looking for an excuse to stop you for $$$, its as good as any. I swear I have seen cars with 92' on them.. I mean really, :roll: I wouldn't want anyone to know I hadn't done my paperwork in 15 years anyway...

[Mellow_in_Puerto Morelos]

Well, I made the trip to Chetumal for the sticker and it went smoothly, Took the ADO from Playa, arrived 4 1/2 hours later, took a cab (60 pesos) to the border, went to the window (no office) and had my new sticker all within 30 minutes of leaving the bus station. The lady at the Bajercito was not aware that the Cancun office was no longer issuing renewals. Guess she's going to get surprised this month! Took a cab to the Noor Hotel in Chetumal (new, not bad, but on the water and not in the centro area, and 1000 pesos) Later in the evening took a cab to the Las Vegas, a new casino in the free zone. Had an evening of very bad luck at the blackjack tables and ended the evening by winning 2 consecutive "drawings" for a total of $350 USD. Definitely worth the trip for me. You gotta love it when you come home with more $$ than you leave with.

BTW, saw Rob and Joanne at Immigration yesterday. They had stopped by the Bajercito in Puerto Juarez this week and they still don't when if ever they will start back up there issuing renewals.

[T.J.]

A friend called me yesterday and said he had picked up his permit at Pto Juarez and then got the car at Pto. Morelos.

He said that Erika is still there but only dealing with new imports, AND SHE DEFINITELY CANNOT RENEW PERMITS.