Driving in Mexico City: A Survival Guide

You’re in Mexico City, one of the world’s largest, busiest metropolitan areas and need to get around.

If you must get behind the wheel here, you’ll need to understand some unwritten rules of the road, and balance being cautious with being assertive, as Mexico City is one of the most chaotic places in the world to drive in. You’re in for some culture shock (even if you come from one of these cities), but it’s totally doable.

Tips for driving in Mexico City

1. Don’t. –  The bus and Metro systems are cheap (6 pesos and 5 pesos, one-way, respectively) and can get you just about everywhere, albeit it’ll be more time consuming. Or tap that app and get an Uber. It’s affordable, safe, and easy.
2. If you can’t follow tip #1, download the Waze app on your phone. It’s an essential survival tool and proved to be better than my go-to, Google maps.
3. Make sure you have a car charger.  Obvious, but, trust me, you don’t want to run out of juice on the road here and Waze drains your battery.
4. Learn to be patient. Think of Mexico City traffic as a consistent rush hour, with a few exceptions. Try to understand the flow, plan ahead, and do your best to avoid peak rush, even if it means arriving at your destination far earlier than you’d like.
5. Use your turn signal, even if no one else does, because they won’t.
6. Be assertive. It doesn’t mean be rude or drive dangerously, but know that if you are not assertive, other drivers will rarely be courteous and simply let you in. You gotta get your car in there and make it happen.
7. Be aware.
   • If you are the first car at an intersection and your light goes from red to green, take an extra second and look both ways. Red light runners are rampant and speedy here. Some of the worst I’ve ever seen. 
   • Whether you see headlights or bright white taillights, you’ll often need to dodge wrong-way drivers. Not talking drunk drivers, just selfish jerks.
8. Blocking intersections is the rule, not the exception. You’ll spend an inordinate amount of time not moving an inch at an intersection because many drivers don’t care if they’re completely impeding your way when you have a green light. Prepare accordingly, but don’t be that guy or girl doing it. Please.
9. Stop signs are optional-ish, so know that your fellow drivers may coast right through theirs without even slowing down…and that sometimes you will have to follow suit or get rear ended.
10. Seattleites and Utahns may have a lot of trouble with this one, New Yorkers won’t: use your horn.
11. Few pedestrians expect you to give them the right of way, even at a crosswalk. Use your judgment (please consider the physically challenged, elderly, and parents with small children) or the car tailgating you could quickly become the car that just rear-ended you.
12. Speed limits are more-or-less optional, but don’t get too crazy. Because…
    • Speedbumps. Huge ones that will send you flying, make you bottom out, or both. They are everywhere and will consistently show up in your path, often without warning.
    • Potholes. Deep, jagged ones and long shallow ones that will not feel good, or worse.
    • Poorly lit streets. Not a great situation, considering A & B. Caution is key.
13. Watch your lane(s). There are white lines and yellow lines, just like other places. And sometimes there are no lines at all. But whenever they are there, they are often afterthoughts. Two lanes can become three, single turn lanes can become doubles, and wide intersections have a tendency to be a complete mess with two sets of U-turners and a lot of cross-traffic all gunning for the same area simultaneously. And bus lanes here actually mean buses and everyone else, too.
14. Know how to enter and exit roundabouts, because you will come upon them a lot. Also, be careful and assertive or you will get sideswiped or forced into an early exit or full 360, respectively.
15. If you want to be on time, build in ample fluff time into your drive. 15-20 minutes won’t do you any good. I am talking hour-long increments.
16. Make sure your car is legally allowed to be on the road on the day of the week you want to drive. Most vehicles that are 9 years or older have to sit on the sidelines one day a week (and sometimes more) in Mexico City to help reduce environmental impact. Check your sticker to make sure you’re good to go, or you could get fined 1300-2000 pesos, depending on where you are caught in violation. And if you have out-of-state plates, make sure you apply for a Mexico City permit for your ride. It’s free! Get it here.
17. Watch your mirrors for cyclists. Mainly the motor variety, though you will see the occasional courageous person who risks these streets on a bike. They weave in and out the tightest of spaces between cars (as in an inch on either side) and helmets are sometimes just an accessory on an arm or the bike itself.
18. Always carry currency, especially small bills or coins. Free parking is available, but it is more likely that you will need to pay for a legit parking lot, parking meters, valet, or a tip for someone keeping an eye on your car in the public right of way. Moreover, there are plenty of toll roads, vendors who approach your window (with food, water, newspapers), street performers, and beggars around. And if you ever have the need to use the bathroom, it’s usually a pay-to-pee deal.

This is by no means a definitive list or one built upon years of extensive research, but it is based on my experience getting around in this crazy place (and likely applicable in many developing nations where roadway etiquette is nonexistent and bad traffic is) the last few months. Anything you’d add?