MéxicoVehicles and transportState · CDMXVerified on October 3, 2026
How to get a Mexican driver's license as a foreigner in CDMX
For a Mexico City Type A driver's license, foreign applicants must prove lawful stay with an official immigration document, alongside the general identity, address, CURP and payment requirements. This guide covers CDMX; other states issue licenses under their own rules.
Step by step
- 1
Choose the correct license procedure.
Open SEMOVI's page and find «Licencia tipo A» (Type A license). It lists «Licencia A - Expedición (Nueva)» (New Type A license), renewal and replacement separately. This guide focuses on the ordinary Type A car license; check the specific procedure before paying.
Open SEMOVI services (Spanish) ↗What you will see
A «Licencia tipo A» (Type A license) section with links for a new license, renewal, permanent-license replacement and motorcycle licenses.
- 2
Prepare your identity and immigration documents.
Article 127 of the mobility regulations published by SEMOVI requires originals and copies of your payment receipt, official identification showing identity and adulthood, proof of address in CDMX or Estado de México, and CURP. Foreign applicants must also provide an immigration document issued by the competent authority proving lawful stay. Confirm that the module accepts your particular document before paying.
- 3
Check the assessment requirements.
The same regulation requires the assessments and, where applicable, courses set by SEMOVI. Ask which apply to your chosen Type A procedure. Do not assume that a foreign license replaces these requirements.
- 4
Use the official payment page.
On the Finance Secretariat's page, find «Licencia A vehículos particulares por 3 años (expedición, reposición y renovación)» (Three-year Type A private-vehicle license, new issue, replacement and renewal). Check that it matches your procedure, follow the official payment instructions and keep your receipt.
Open license payments (Spanish) ↗What you will see
The «Licencias» (Licenses) list includes «Clave:01» (Code 01) for the three-year Type A license and separate entries for other license types.
- 5
Book a module appointment and submit your application.
Open SEMOVI's module directory and select «¡Saca tu cita aquí!» (Book your appointment here). The page says service is by appointment. Attend with your originals and copies, complete the application and follow the module's instructions for your selected procedure.
Find SEMOVI modules (Spanish) ↗What you will see
The directory shows «¡Saca tu cita aquí!» (Book your appointment here) and lists fixed, mobile and borough modules.
Requirements
- Official identification showing your identity and adulthood; the regulation lists a passport among the accepted forms
- Official immigration document proving lawful stay in Mexico
- Proof of address in Mexico City or Estado de México, as stated in Article 127
- CURP, Mexico's population registry code
- Payment receipt for the selected procedure
- Originals and copies of the documents required by Article 127
- Completion of the applicable SEMOVI assessments and any required courses
- Appointment at the selected SEMOVI module
Frequently asked questions
Are these the requirements everywhere in Mexico?
No. Licenses are issued by the states under their own rules. The documents and steps here are for Mexico City. Use your state's official licensing authority if you live elsewhere.
Is a passport alone enough for a foreign applicant?
No. Article 127 also requires an official immigration document proving lawful stay, along with the other documents listed above. A passport is not a substitute for that additional requirement.
Does this guide cover the new permanent license?
No. Follow the specific permanent-license procedure if that is the license you want. The payment option described here is the ordinary three-year Type A license.
Sources
- SEMOVI · Private vehicle and Type A license services (in Spanish) · accessed on October 3, 2026
- SEMOVI · Mobility regulations, Articles 124 and 127 (in Spanish) · accessed on October 3, 2026
- CDMX Finance Secretariat · License payment options (in Spanish) · accessed on October 3, 2026
- SEMOVI · Vehicle and license module directory (in Spanish) · accessed on October 3, 2026
Information verified on October 3, 2026. Always check the official source before starting your procedure.