Minimum age for a car driving licence in Mexico (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Driving licences for private cars are issued by each state and by Mexico City, which set their own minimum ages and rules for minors. No national minimum age for a car licence was found in the federal traffic regulation for federal roads.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|
Related pages
Mexico: rules by state or province
| State | Minimum age for a car licence | Earliest age to drive a car supervised | Driving before the minimum age | Visitors on a foreign licence: age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aguascalientes | 18 | — | Permit from 16, parent signs and is liable | Other-state and foreign licences recognised |
| Baja California | 18 | — | Licence at 16-17 with parental consent, 1 year | Valid if in force and holder not resident |
| Baja California Sur | 18 (municipal permit from 16) | ⚠ Not yet verified | Permit 16-17: municipality, 06:00-22:00 Mon-Fri | Other-state/foreign licences valid (reciprocity) |
| Campeche | 18 | — | Permit from 16, parent guarantees damages | Other-state/federal licences accepted |
| Chiapas | 16 (1-year licence for minors) | — | Licence from 16 with parent, valid 1 year | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Chihuahua | 18 | — | Licence from 16 with parental consent, 1 year | Other-state and foreign licences valid |
| Coahuila | 18 | — | ⚠ Not yet verified | Other-state licences accepted; foreign: federal rules |
| Colima | 18 | — | Permit from 16 (car), 15 (moto), parent liable | Other-state and foreign licences valid |
| Mexico City | 18 | — | Permit for 15+/under-18s, cars only | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Durango | 16 (with parent or guardian) | — | Licence from 16 with parent; hours restricted | Other-state and foreign licences recognised |
| Guanajuato | 18 (adults only) | — | Permit from 15 with parental consent | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Guerrero | 18 | — | Licence from 16, parental letter, max 180 days | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Hidalgo | 18 | — | Permit from 16, up to 6 months | Other-state and foreign licences valid |
| Jalisco | 18 | — | Permit from 16, insured vehicle, 6-12 months | Other-state, federal and treaty-country licences valid |
| State of Mexico | 18 | 15 with a licensed driver | Permit from 15 (A) or 16 (B), with licensed driver | Mexican and foreign licences accepted |
| Michoacán | 18 | — | Permit from 16, 1 year, extendable once | Other-state and foreign licences valid |
| Morelos | 18 (permit from 16) | ⚠ Not yet verified | Permit 16-17 with parental bond, until 18 | Foreign/other-state licence valid; no age stated |
| Nayarit | 18 (provisional licence from 16) | ⚠ Not yet verified | Permit from 16 with parent or guardian; 1 year | Other states' and foreign licences valid |
| Nuevo León | 18 (provisional licence from 16, max 2 years) | ⚠ Not yet verified | Provisional licence from 16; letter from parent | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Oaxaca | 18 (permit from 16) | ⚠ Not yet verified | Permit for 16-17, modalities A and B, max 2 years | Other states' and foreign licences valid |
| Puebla | 18 for a full licence | ⚠ Not yet verified | Permit from 16 with parental consent; 6 months | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Querétaro | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | Permit at 16-17 with parental consent; 1 year | Licences from other states or countries accepted |
| San Luis Potosí | 18 (permit from 16) | ⚠ Not yet verified | Permit 16-17, 6 months, renewable until 18 | Other-state/foreign licences valid (reciprocity) |
| Sinaloa | 18 (learner licence from 16) | ⚠ Not yet verified | Learner licence 16-17; 06:00-22:00; max 2 years | Other-state and foreign licences valid for the vehicle type |
| Sonora | 18 (permit from 16) | ⚠ Not yet verified | Permit 16-17, 05:00-00:00 unless exceptions | Other-state/foreign licences valid unless resident |
| Tabasco | 18 for a full licence | ⚠ Not yet verified | Permit from 16 via parent; 6 months, renewable to 18 | Foreign licence valid 6 months from entry |
| Tamaulipas | 18 for a full licence | ⚠ Not yet verified | Learner licence from 16 with parental consent | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Tlaxcala | 18 (permit from 15) | ⚠ Not yet verified | Permit for over-15s under 18, 2 years | Other-state/foreign licences valid for stated type |
| Veracruz | 18 (permit from 16) | ⚠ Not yet verified | Minor's permit from 16, 06:00-22:00 | Other-state/foreign licences valid while in force |
| Yucatán | 18 (permit from 16) | 16 (learner permit) | Learner permit 16; driving permit 16-17, 6 months | Valid; register if staying over 60 days |
| Zacatecas | 18 for a full licence | 16, accompanied by an adult | Permit at 16-17, 3 months, with an adult | ⚠ Not yet verified |
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.