We'll give you some tips if you get pulled over by traffic police in Mexico. These are just basic tips, for this reason in each specific situation you are obliged to act according to the circumstances. For simple violations, it often makes sense to pay off with a small amount. But remember, if you have not violated anything, then you should not accept the conditions that the police will impose on you. Under any circumstances, there will be no aggression towards you, and you should not be impolite.
1) If you are stopped by a patrol car, write down its license plate number, either on the license plate or located on the body of the car. It must be the same number.
2) Lock all car doors. Open only the driver's window, and only open it enough to hand over vehicle documentation and driver's license if requested by the police.
3) Do not, under any circumstances, exit your vehicle or open the door to a police officer.
4) The police officer must introduce himself. Before handing over documents to a police officer, ask him to show identification. In most cases, this is a badge, patch or metal sign that should be clearly visible on the chest. The name of the policeman will be there, and on the badge — his photograph. Write down his name and number, as well as the time you were stopped. You have every right to know the identity of the police officer. In some states, police officers have a QR code on their badges that can be scanned with a phone to verify the officer's identity. Take your time.
5) Never allow the car to be inspected, including opening the doors and trunk, and do not do this yourself. Do not give a police officer your car or trunk keys. Your car — is your private property and he should have a court order to search it. When you open the trunk, even with your own hands, you run the risk of someone throwing something in there. If necessary, a police officer can conduct an inspection through the glass.
6) The police officer may demand that you pay a fine on the spot for a violation that you did not commit, out of fear. Don't agree. Pretend you don't understand Spanish or English and are surprised that you were stopped. Most often this works. You may have to «refuse» from police demands longer than you expected. But if they really have nothing to show you, they will let you go.
7) Even if you were speeding, the amount of the fine that the policeman will ask you to pay personally on the spot most often exceeds the real one. Have at least a general idea of fines for traffic accidents in Mexico, read thispublication. If you pay the fine within 15 days, you have the right to pay 50% of the amount (Cancun). The police know this. Therefore, if you decide to pay the policeman personally in order to quickly close the matter, name your amount, say that you have no more, and stand your ground. Has the option to show an empty wallet, but do not show cards. In this situation, time is in your favor.
8) A traffic police officer is not capable of arresting anyone except at the scene of a crime. If you have not committed a crime, the police do not have the right to detain or arrest you. This does not apply to the car. This also does not apply to cases when you are detained by other police departments for violations not related to the accident.
9) If the police do have a warrant (specifically a stolen vehicle), do not turn the vehicle over to the police. Indicate that the car should be taken to the nearest police station, but that the owner will be driving. Exactly to the nearest one, and not where the police say.
The police have the right to seize licenses and even cars with foreign plates or registered in other states as a preventive measure and often use this for blackmail. But withdraw — does not mean throwing the owner out of it. The seizure procedure is quite complicated, and most often the police do not want to get involved with the formal procedures of registration; for this reason, cars are seized extremely rarely. But if you overstayed your TIP (Temporary Import Permit) or didn't have one at all, you should be afraid of seizure because in this case the process is simpler.
Separate warrants must be issued to search the vehicle and to detain or seize it. You cannot do both based on one order.
10) Upon arrival at the police station, get out of the car and lock it. Never give your keys to the police, even if they ask or demand it. Request the physical presence of the prosecutor — this is mandatory when searching or seizing a vehicle. You also have the right to invite a lawyer. Hand over the keys after the formal steps are completed.
11) If you do not have a mobile phone, you must be given access to a telephone line to call your family members. This is not the right to one call, you have the opportunity to call as many people as you want. Provide the police officer's number, which should be on the form, and describe the facts.