Minimum age for a car driving licence in Sonora (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: A car licence requires being over 18. Persons aged 16 or 17 can request a permit valid until adulthood, usable only from 05:00 to 00:00 unless an exception applies, such as work, school or a licensed companion over 24. Licences from other states or countries are valid.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence | 18 years [1] |
| Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licence | Persons aged 16 or 17 can request a permit to drive private cars or motorcycles from the Secretaría de Hacienda, valid until they reach adulthood. Use is limited to 05:00 to 00:00 unless work, school or a medical emergency makes it necessary or the minor is accompanied by a person over 24 holding a valid car or chauffeur licence. A parent or guardian signs and accepts liability; a theory course, exam and medical certificate are required. [1] |
| Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licence | Licences issued by authorities of other states or countries have the same validity as those issued under the state law, as long as they are in force and the holder does not establish domicile in the state. No age condition is stated. [1] |
| Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence | 16 years [1] |
| Night-time limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | A minor's permit may be used only from 05:00 to 00:00, unless driving is needed for work or school, the minor is attending a medical emergency, or the minor is accompanied by a person over 24 with a valid car or chauffeur licence. [1] |
Notes
- The text read is the Orden Jurídico Nacional copy of the Ley de Tránsito (reforms to 21 December 2017). The 2024 mobility law keeps it as supplementary law and orders its reform; later amendments were not seen.
- No learner or supervised-driving stage is described in the text read.
- Text read is the Orden Jurídico Nacional copy, with reforms to 21 December 2017. The 2024 Ley de Movilidad y Seguridad Vial ordered the traffic law to be harmonised within 180 days; later amendments were not seen.
Sources
- Orden Jurídico Nacional (Secretaría de Gobernación), compilation of state law: Ley de Tránsito del Estado de Sonora (OJN compilation; text with reforms to 21 December 2017) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
More rules in Sonora
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, driver and passengers · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes, driver and passengers
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.