Thanks for all that input. It does, indeed, seem to be more of an urban legend, blast from the past, than any real, ongoing, problem these days. And yes, in Canada too it requires the DMV to issue new plates but in BC this is done through the provincial insurance company (ICBC). On the way down here one of the couples in our group had their trailer plate disappear in Arizona. They made the 1-800 call back to ICBC and new plates came by courier.
Either I am extremely lucky or a real fool. I don't have a locking gas cap, I use credit cards for everything, everywhere including gas purchase, I don't lock my front door and leave my car running while I run into the convenience store. I wouldn't do these things in my native country. Call it what you will, I live here, "libre y soberano". Thank you.
Wouldn't it depend on where you live in "your native country" and where you live in Mexico?
While we were in La Paz a fellow mentioned that a plate was removed from a vehicle parked in a no parking zone close to a medical centre. He didn't notice it till later. When he called the Policia (they came out) they asked him where he had parked. He told them and they walked over to the clinic. They came back to the car with the plate in hand, told him not to park there anymore and gave it back to him. He probably just missed the sign.
The funniest was our neighbour in the campground in La Paz was sitting in his chair by his tent looking flustered. He said his Van had been stolen. He and his wife had driven it downtown, parked it and went sight seeing. They came back to where there van was supposed to be parked and IT WAS GONE. He had called the Policia, they took the report and his contact info and told him they would be in touch. He was so flustered he didn't get their badge numbers, name, copy of the police report etc etc. He was really rattled. I gave him the tourist help number and sent him to the office to call them to see if they could help. Just as he was walking in a well dressed plain clothes detective (with a big gun) walked into the office and asked the campground manager (who was very helpful) where he could find the gentleman. After introductions the the cop said they found his vehicle and to come with him to confirm it although the key they gave the police did work. He and his wife went with the cop and found the van...about two blocks from where he thought he had parked it. The wife apparently said something to the effect of "I knew we parked it by the church". Anyway, all was well in tequila land and they came back to the campground with smiles on their face. The neat thing is the cops immediately started looking for and found the Van, picked up the "victim" brought him to his van and sorted it all out. My point being watch how big a brush you paint the police with here. We routinely see the police patrol through the campground and beach here. They always smile, wave and make small talk. I'm sure there are bad cops out there but I'll deal with that situation when it shows up.
moisheh wrote: Over 20 years of travelling in Mexico. Never had a policeman try and remove a plate. Sounds like an urban legend!! bUt I guess caravaners are so nervous maybe this helps calm them!!
Moisheh
For us about 37 years, never had a negative experience with any officials.
Ed White wrote: Ran across an interesting story today - some folks in a caravan said that the Wagonmaster told them to remove the license plates from their vehicles, front and back,and tape one of the plates on the inside of the rear window. Reason? Wagonmaster claimed that a common strategy when stopped by crooked policia is as follows: One of the cops unscrews the rear license plate while the other cop is talking to the driver. The driver is then given the option to buy back the plate for $50 or more.
Sounds like a crock to me !! I would tell any cop who did that to keep the plate and then I'd call my insurance agent back home - sorry, lost my plate, please send a replacement.
Has anyone actually experienced this "plate removal" bribery?
different states, different methods
Ask about the license plates.
In Mexico, if you park illegally, the police will remove a license plate. You'll have to go to the police station and pay a fine to get your plate back. If you return a car with a missing plate, the rental company will charge you a fee for the inconvenience of tracking it down. Lately, we've noticed that some rental cars don't have plates, but only have a paper license taped to the back window.
Removal of your plates are a common practice in the Puerto Vallarta area. Just the other day I was walking on the main street in the town we stay at (Lo de Marcos) when a policeman asked me if a car was mine. I told him no and he proceeded to remove the plates. The car was parked in a no parking zone and it's plates were from the state of Nayarit, Mexico, owned by a Mexican local, so it isn't just a practice they do to the Gringos........
Chrispy Hubby and Ms. Mckenna
2002 Discovery 2003 CRV Winter Lo de Marcos/Summer San Diego
It is common in Mexico for the police to remove license plates from vehicles to force the offender to show up to take care of the fine. This usually has the effect of getting motorists to cough up a few pesos, and then the plate is returned. If you are driving your own vehicle in Mexico, you might be tempted to use carriage bolts to attach your plate so you have nothing to worry about, but that is against the law, and it invites being towed and impounded.
You might be tempted to offer a bribe when stopped by the police: don't do it. Only those who really know the nuances and customs of the particular part of the country might get away with it. If, on the other hand, you are unequivocally and explicitly asked for a bribe, it's your call if you give it or want to go through the hassle of going to the police station or having to go recover your license plates by paying a fine.
Either I am extremely lucky or a real fool. I don't have a locking gas cap, I use credit cards for everything, everywhere including gas purchase, I don't lock my front door and leave my car running while I run into the convenience store. I wouldn't do these things in my native country. Call it what you will, I live here, "libre y soberano". Thank you.
Wouldn't it depend on where you live in "your native country" and where you live in Mexico?
Tom
Right Tom. A lot depends on where you live, what part of town, etc. For me, old practices die hard. I do try to be more alert than before especially since Monterrey has grown so much and there lots of people coming from all over the country.
Intuition plays a key role and I am still not an expert but getting better. I live in a small town 20 kms south of MTY and it is a very safe-feeling community. Most native Santiagans (?) try to avoid the big city. I guess that is the same if you live in a small town anywhere though.
I don't know if taking the plates off for violation is a good practice, but I guess it is still done here and with some reason.
Offline
.jpg)
so it isn't just a practice they do to the Gringos........
